The KMSP Fox 9 Investigators aired a story on Monday, May 2, that focused on outdated meat being sold in grocery stores. Gohmann’s Foods in Kimball was featured prominently in the story. Gohmann’s had been shown on camera selling meat that had been re-dated at least twice, and the product had originally been placed for sale two months earlier. The Tri-County News attempted to speak to Gohmann’s Food owner, Gene Gohmann, but he had no comment for the newspaper. Except for infant formula and some baby food, product dating is not required by federal regulations.However, if a calendar date is used, it must express both the month and day of the month (and the year, in the case of shelf-stable and frozen products). There are four types of dates that may appear on a product. o A “Sell-By” date tells the store how long to display the product for sale. For maximum product satisfaction and safety, consumers should buy the product before the date expires. o A “Best if Used By (or Before)” date is recommended for best flavor or quality. o A “Use-By” date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. This date has been determined by the manufacturer of the product. o “Closed or coded dates” are packing numbers for use by the manufacturer. Manufactured meat is product sold to stores from processing plants. This meat is put in trays, wrapped in plastic, and labeled with a price and sell-by date. This is referred to as “case ready” product. Once a USDA-inspected processing plant puts a sell-by date on these case ready trays of meat, it is against federal regulations to extend the sell-by date on that piece of meat. There is no law in Minnesota against supermarkets changing their original sell-by dates of product that is butchered and packaged on the premises. Sixteen states and Washington, D.C., have regulations against such re-dating. Since there are no regulations regarding the dating or re-dating of meat that is butchered and packaged in grocery stores, consumers should handle food carefully and use or freeze all meat quickly. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that you cook or freeze chicken no more than two days after its sell-by date. It recommends that you cook or freeze beef, veal, pork and lamb no more than five days after their sell-by dates. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that you cook or freeze fish no more than two days after its sell-by date. Cooking food thoroughly is the best way to kill any bacteria that may be found in meat. Since neither federal or Minnesota law regulates the dating or re-dating of food or meat products, it is a “buyer beware” area. Buyers should check that meat purchased anywhere is a good color of red or red-brown without obvious off-color or greyish spots. Remove meat from the special lighting of the meat display case to get its true color. Odor is another freshness indicator, but with pre-packaged or wrapped meat, it is nearly impossible to check. After taking it home, meat should be firm and not have a greasy or slimy feel when touched. Keep the receipts for meat just purchased and return it to the store immediately with the dated receipt if it does not seem fresh upon opening the package. For more information on food safety, please visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service Website at .
