Understanding Expiration Dates: Parents Guide to Teach Kids

Teaching kids about expiration dates might not seem like the most exciting task, but it can actually turn into a fun and important lesson in both responsibility and safety. We all know the feeling of reaching into the fridge, pulling out something questionable, and wondering, “Is this still good?”

As parents, we’re constantly balancing busy schedules while trying to keep our families safe and healthy, and food safety is a big part of that. Helping your kids understand expiration dates can give them a sense of independence, while also making sure they learn how to avoid those ‘mystery fridge’ moments in the future.

Here’s a simple guide to help you explain expiration dates in a way that’s easy for your kids to grasp.

What Are Expiration Dates?

Explain to your kids that expiration dates tell us when food is no longer at its best quality or safe to eat. Let them know that different kinds of foods go bad at different times.

You can show them the dates on the packaging and talk about why it’s important to check them before eating or cooking.

Tip for Parents: Have your child check expiration dates while unpacking groceries or before meal prep. It makes learning interactive and helps develop good habits.

Definition of Expiration Dates

When explaining expiration dates to your kids, you can tell them it’s like a stop sign for food. An expiration date is a guide that tells us when food might no longer be safe to eat. It’s the signal to stop and check before digging in.

Be sure to explain that this is different from a best by or best before date, which is more about how the food tastes. You can compare it to a friend saying, “This is when the food will taste the best!”

After the best by date, the food might not be as fresh, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad or unsafe. Helping your kids understand the difference makes them more aware of food safety while still being able to enjoy their favorite snacks.

Types of Expiration Dates

Help your kids understand that not all dates mean the same thing:

• Best by or Best before: This is about quality, not safety. The food is still okay to eat after this date, but it might not taste as fresh.
• Use by: This date is more serious. After this, the food might not be safe to eat.
• Sell by: Stores use this to know when to sell the product, but the food may still be good for a little while after.

So next time your kids are wondering if a carton of milk or a box of cereal is safe, they will know why those dates are there. They’re like friendly reminders, helping them to eat safe and delicious food.

Tip for Parents: Show your child examples of each type of date in your pantry or fridge, and explain what each one means.

Why Expiration Dates Matter

Kids are naturally curious, and explaining why expiration dates matter can really help them understand. Teach them that when food goes bad, it can grow germs or bacteria that make us sick. This is why checking the dates and storing food properly is important.

Try an activity where you compare two similar foods—one fresh and one past its expiration date—to show the difference in smell, texture, or colour. This hands-on approach makes learning memorable.

Health Risks of Consuming Expired Food

It’s important to teach kids that eating expired food isn’t just about it tasting bad—it can actually make them sick. Just like how milk can go sour, other foods can spoil and become unsafe if they’re past their expiration date. Here are some of the risks:

• Food Poisoning: Expired food can grow harmful bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli, which can cause food poisoning. This might lead to upset stomachs, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. It’s like letting germs crash the party, and no one enjoys that!
• Allergies and Sensitivities: Sometimes, eating expired food can cause allergic reactions or sensitivities, even if it didn’t before. The ingredients in the food might change over time, so it’s better to avoid the risk altogether.
• Spoilage and Toxins: Foods like moldy bread or rotten fruits don’t just taste bad—they can also contain toxins that are harmful to your body. It’s like playing with something that looks safe but hides danger underneath.

While it might be tempting to eat that favourite snack past its expiration date, it’s important to understand the risks. Teaching this lesson early can help kids make better choices when it comes to food safety.

While you might be tempted to take a chance on your favourite snacks after they’ve expired, remembering these risks will help keep you healthy.

Did You Know?
In Australia, 70% of food waste is due to confusion over date labels, like “best before” and “use by” dates, according to the Food Safety Information Council.

Food Waste and Expiration Dates

We’ve all been there—throwing out a half-full container of yogurt just because it hit the expiration date. Many of us end up tossing food that’s still perfectly fine to eat, simply because we don’t fully understand expiration labels. Here’s how this happens:

• Confusion Over Labels: There are different types of dates, like “sell by,” “use by,” and “best before.” These can be confusing, and not all of them mean the food is unsafe after the date. Teaching your kids the difference can help your family make smarter choices and waste less food.
• Fear of Spoiled Food: The fear of getting sick can lead us to throw food away as soon as the date passes, even if it still looks, smells, and tastes fine. You can teach your kids to use their senses—like smelling and checking how food looks—just like they double-check their homework before turning it in.
• Buying in Bulk: It’s easy to overbuy, and sometimes we can’t eat everything before it expires. When that happens, perfectly good food ends up in the trash just because it’s a day or two past its date. It’s like buying a book and then never reading it.

To help reduce food waste, here are some simple habits you can teach your kids:

• Check Your Stock: Regularly go through your pantry and fridge together to see what’s close to expiring. It’s a great way to stay organized and avoid surprise food waste.
• Plan Meals: Work as a family to plan meals around the food that’s expiring soon. It’s a fun way to involve the kids in meal planning and cut down on waste..
• Learn to Store: Show your kids how storing food properly can help it last longer. Understanding how to keep food fresh is an important life skill.

By teaching your kids about expiration dates and food waste, you’re not only helping protect their health but also making them more mindful of how much food gets thrown away. Together, you can all become food waste warriors!

Fun Fact: Did you know that the average family throws away about $1,500 worth of food every year because they don’t understand expiration dates?”

How to Read Expiration Dates

Helping your kids understand expiration dates can be like solving a simple puzzle, and it ensures the food they eat is fresh and safe. Here’s how you can teach them to easily find and read expiration dates on their favorite snacks.

Locating Expiration Dates

The first step is knowing where to look. You can turn it into a fun “treasure hunt” with your kids. Here are some common spots to find expiration dates:

• Top or Bottom: Cans, jars, and boxes often have the date stamped on the top or bottom.
• Side Panels: For cereal boxes and snack bags, check the side panels.
• Lid or Cap: Drinks sometimes have the expiration date printed on the cap or near the rim.
• Back Label: Some brands place the date near the nutrition facts on the back of the package.

Encourage your kids to look closely—sometimes the print can be small. If they can’t spot it right away, they can always ask for help. Making it a game keeps them engaged while teaching a valuable skill.

Understanding Date Formats

Once your kids find the expiration date, the next step is to help them “decode” it. Expiration dates can be written in different formats, and it’s almost like cracking a secret code! Here’s how you can guide them to understand it:

• MM/DD/YYYY: This is common in the U.S. and stands for Month/Day/Year. For example, 12/31/2023 means December 31, 2023.
• DD/MM/YYYY: This format is used in many other countries like here in Australia. Day/Month/Year is the order. So, 31/12/2023 would mean the same as the example above.
• Code Letters or Numbers: Sometimes companies use codes like “BEST BY JUN 23”. This could mean it’s best to use the food by June 23.

By helping your kids recognise these formats, they’ll become pros at reading expiration dates in no time!

Safety Reminder: If you’re unsure whether food is still safe to eat, ask an adult to check it before eating!

What to Do with Expired Food

When your kids find food in the kitchen that has passed its expiration date, it’s a great opportunity to teach them what to do next.

Explain that finding an old yogurt or a loaf of bread with some mold is normal, and what’s important is how we handle it. Here are some simple and safe steps you can teach them:

Safe Disposal Practices

Throwing away expired food might seem like the easiest option, but there are smarter, eco-friendly ways to deal with it. Instead of just tossing everything into the trash, guide your kids through these thoughtful choices:

• Composting: Teach your kids that composting turns food waste into a superhero for the garden! Explain that fruits, veggies, and bread can be composted to help create rich soil for plants to grow.
• Food Waste Bins: Show them that some areas have special bins for food waste, which are sent to facilities where the waste is turned into energy or compost. Check if your neighbourhood has this service and involve your kids in sorting the waste.
• Local Farms or Animal Shelters: Explain that some farms or animal shelters can use certain expired foods to feed animals. It’s a good idea to call and check what they can accept before donating.
• Trash with Caution: If composting or donating isn’t an option, teach your kids how to safely throw food in the trash. Make sure it’s sealed in a bag to prevent bad smells and pests, keeping the home clean and the environment a little healthier.

Teaching Your Kids When to Trust Their Senses

It’s important to show your kids that sometimes they can rely on their senses to decide if food is still okay to eat, even if it’s past the expiration date. Here’s how you can guide them:

• Look Before You Leap: Teach your kids to take a good look at the food. Ask them, “Does it look different than when we first bought it?” Show them how to check for strange colors or mold. If they spot anything odd, let them know it’s time to throw it out.
• Sniff It Out: Help your kids understand that a bad smell is a strong warning sign. Encourage them to sniff the food, and if it smells sour or off, explain that it’s not safe to eat anymore.
• Taste Test (with Caution): If the food looks and smells fine, show them how to take a tiny taste. Explain that if it tastes normal, it might still be good to eat. But if it tastes strange or stale, it’s best to toss it.

By teaching your kids to trust their senses along with checking expiration dates, you’re giving them the tools to make smart decisions about food. Explain that their senses—sight, smell, and taste—are like their own personal food safety team, helping protect them.

Helping your kids learn these steps not only keeps them safe but also teaches them about reducing food waste. So, the next time they find expired yogurt or bread, they’ll know exactly what to do!

Tips for Reducing Food Waste

Understanding expiration dates is just one part of reducing food waste. By adopting a few smart habits, you can teach your kids how to make better choices that prevent throwing away good food. Here’s how you can work together to keep food fresh, delicious, and reduce waste—while also taking care of the planet.

Meal Planning and Shopping Smart

Sometimes it’s easy to end up buying more food than we really need, especially when shopping without a plan. This is where teaching your kids about meal planning can help. Think of it as creating a map for the week ahead. It helps you and your kids know exactly what you’ll eat and what you’ll need to buy. Here’s how you can get your kids involved in planning meals and shopping smart:

• Start with a Plan: Sit down with your kids and plan out the meals for the week, including snacks. This helps them see what ingredients are needed and prevents buying extra food that could go to waste.
• Make a Shopping List: Encourage your kids to help make a shopping list based on your meal plan. Explain that the list is like a treasure map—it keeps you focused on getting only what’s necessary and avoids picking up things you don’t need.
• Check the Pantry First:Before heading to the store, teach your kids to check what’s already in the pantry or fridge. They might find items you can use in your meals, saving both food and money.

Real-Life Example:
Max found a yogurt in the fridge, but when he checked the ‘Use By’ date, it had already passed. Instead of eating it, he asked his mom to double-check, and they decided it wasn’t safe to eat anymore. Now Max always checks dates before grabbing food!

Using Leftovers Wisely

Leftovers might not always seem exciting, but they can be hidden treasures in the kitchen! Teaching your kids how to get creative with leftovers can help reduce waste and make mealtime fun.

Here are some simple ways to show your kids how to transform yesterday’s meals into something new and delicious.

• Mix and Match Magic: Show your kids how to take leftovers and pair them with fresh ingredients. For example, use leftover veggies from dinner to make a stir-fry by adding rice or noodles. Encourage them to experiment with different combinations to create new meals.
• Snack Attack: Leftovers aren’t just for dinner—they can be great snacks too! Teach your kids how to turn leftover chicken into a wrap or make a cold pasta salad from leftover noodles. This helps them see that leftovers can be quick, tasty snacks between meals.
• Challenge Yourself: Make it a fun game! Set a challenge with your kids to create a meal using only leftovers. This not only saves food but turns cooking into an exciting adventure. See what creative dishes they come up with using what’s already in the fridge!

By teaching your kids to use leftovers wisely, you’re helping them learn how to reduce waste while also having fun in the kitchen!

Teaching Kids the Importance of Expiration Dates

Now that you’ve taken the time to teach your kids about expiration dates, they have a better understanding of how to keep food fresh and safe. It’s a simple skill, but one that goes a long way in making sure your family stays healthy. By helping them learn the difference between “Best by” and “Use by” dates, you’re empowering them to make smarter choices about food.

Encourage your kids to make checking expiration dates a habit, especially when they reach for their favorite snacks or drinks. And if they’re ever unsure, remind them they can always ask you—that way, you’re learning together as a family. You can even make it a fun little routine when unpacking groceries or cleaning out the fridge.

Most importantly, celebrate the fact that your kids are learning a valuable life skill. Talk about it as a family, and let them share what they’ve learned. It’s a great opportunity to reduce food waste and help everyone stay safe. Ask your kids what they’ll do differently now that they understand expiration dates better—you might be surprised by their answers!