As a result of constant Russian missile attacks, emergency and scheduled power outages, Ukrainians are massively buying products and stockpiling food.

It is important not only to pay attention to the packaging, where the expiration date of the product is indicated, but also to know which products can be consumed after the specified expiration date, and which should be thrown away without regret.

Experts note that it is necessary to pay attention to the labeling of products, to distinguish what "minimum expiration date" and "use by date" mean.

"The minimum expiration date indicates that this product will lose its external attractive qualities after its expiration, so to speak, it will look worse, but it can still be eaten safely.

"Expiration date" is indicated for those perishable products, it is not necessary to keep and consume them after the end of this period in any case.

"Use by..." means that the manufacturer quite categorically indicates the expiration date, indicating the day, month, year, and considers the product unfit for food after its expiration.

In this case, there is a risk that it will spoil.

Experts from the Spanish Consumers' Union have compiled a list of products that can be used after their expiration date.

They included in the list of such products: yogurts, bread for toasts, dried fruits, dried sausage, dried cheese, canned tomatoes, pasta, chips, rice, legumes, soft drinks, dairy products and cookies, alcohol, jam, instant soups preparation.

Experts recommend freezing sausage products before the expiration date.

You can also freeze cheeses, but you need to know that their structure changes after freezing. 

Which products can be consumed after the expiry date and for how long:

• If

  the eggs

  are stored in the refrigerator at the correct temperature - 4 degrees Celsius, they can be used after the expiration date without risk for another 4-5 weeks.

• Bread,

  after its expiration date has expired, can be placed in a dry, cool place and eaten within 4-7 days.

  And if you put it in the freezer, then in general up to six months. 

• Under normal conditions, pasta

  can be stored for another 1-2 years after the expiration date. 

• Dry breakfasts

  .

  The packaged product can be used for another 6-8 months after the expiration date, in the open form - 4-6 months. 

• Milk in bags

  , if stored in the refrigerator, can be drunk within a month after the expiration date has passed. 

• Unopened

  yogurt

  can be stored in the refrigerator for another 3 weeks after the expiration date, and open yogurt for one week.

  If mold has appeared or it has changed color, the yogurt must be thrown away. 

• Honey.

  It can be stored for as long as you want, with proper storage - in a dry place and in a tightly closed container.

  Likewise, salt and sugar can be stored indefinitely.

• After the expiration date,

  chocolate can change its color, it will turn white due to the release of fat.

  It is no longer as tasty as before, but you can eat it.

• Coffee and tea

  will most likely lose some taste properties after the expiration date, but this will not harm consumption.

• Unpacked 

  spices

  that have been lying in the cupboard for years lose their useful properties and taste, but are not dangerous after the expiry date.

• Ketchup

  , if it is tightly closed after each use, can be stored for a very long time in the refrigerator or in a dark, cool room. 

• Such canned vegetables

  can be consumed after the expiration date if they have been stored in a cool, dry place.

  But if there are dents, rust or damage to the packaging, they must be thrown away. 

• If the shelf life of the

   butter

   is nearing the end, put the butter in the freezer.

  Keep in mind that after thawing it should be used immediately. 

What cannot be stored after the expiration date is all kinds of meat products, minced meat and fish, soft cheeses, seafood, sausages, sausages, pork, chicken, any meat, offal.

Read also:

• How to choose canned goods for long-term storage: what they are, what to pay attention to

• How to store meat without a refrigerator: proven tips