IRVINE, Calif. (KERO) — The Laborers of Irvine (LOTH) union says misinformation on these labels has caused local residents to stop consuming their products.
The video shows when it’s safe to eat food that has passed its “sell by” or “best before” date. LOTH is a food pantry that opened in Irvine last fall to address food insecurity in the area. Recently, LOTH says word has been spreading that food has expired, which has affected attendance numbers.
Broadcast transcript:
When consumers purchase packaged foods, they may look for a “sell by” or “best by” date on the product. And in some cases, these dates can easily be confused with the product’s expiration date. Labor harvesters in Irvine (LOTH) told me that this misinformation is affecting their attendance rates.
Laborers of the Harvest began serving Arvin in October. The nonprofit delivers fresh food to food-insecure areas through its Open Harvest program.
“There were times when I didn’t have money to buy tortillas,” said Irvine resident Enriqueta Benavides, “but thankfully, I can get them here.”
Benavides has been participating in Open Harvest for about three months and says she is grateful for what the program has to offer.
She added that rumors have been circulating on social media recently that products provided by the nonprofit are expiring, causing area residents to move away.
“At the grocery store, you’ll see a variety of dates: sell by, use by, freeze by, etc. These dates have absolutely no relation to the expiration date of the food,” explains LOTH board member Olivia Calderon. “They simply mean that the food is past its expiration date, it’s still edible. [grocery stores] I can’t sell it anymore.”
This misunderstanding is common, with confusion over date markings reportedly accounting for about 30 percent of consumer waste, according to the USDA.
Calderon said the nonprofit is operating under a new California law, SB1383, that makes it illegal for grocery stores to throw out food that has passed the expiration date on the food label.
“We need all the big supermarkets to get organisations like Labour of the Harvest to deliver food so it doesn’t end up in landfills,” Calderon said.
As food rots in landfills, it releases methane gas, which pollutes the air we breathe.
The USDA reports that packaged foods, with the exception of infant formula, are safe to eat even if they have passed their expiration date, as long as they aren’t obviously spoiled. Spoiled foods will develop an off-odor, flavor, or texture and shouldn’t be eaten.
Calderon added that LOTHs are trained to handle food that families can enjoy and keep it safe from cross-contamination.
“The cost of living is high right now, so this program really helps those of us who are low-income and don’t have the means to continue living,” Benavides said.
Laborers of the Harvest has extended its opening hours and will now be open six days a week, Monday to Friday from 6pm to 8pm and Saturday from 12pm to 4pm.
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