Our estimates are based on extensive food safety research from sources like the USDA, FDA, and food science studies. However, actual freshness can vary based on factors like your refrigerator's exact temperature, how often you open it, and the initial quality of the food. We provide conservative estimates to prioritize food safety.

We categorize foods by type rather than brand because expiration characteristics are generally consistent within food categories. For example, most pasteurized milk behaves similarly regardless of brand. If you have a unique product (like a specific prepared food), choose the closest matching category or contact us for personalized advice.

While our tool can provide general guidance, commercial kitchens should follow their local health department regulations, which may have different standards. Our calculator is designed for home use where storage conditions and food handling may differ from commercial operations.

The "safe to use by" date is our estimate of when the food will likely no longer be at peak quality or may begin to pose a food safety risk. It's not an absolute cutoff - always use your senses (smell, sight, texture) to check food before consuming. When in doubt, throw it out. We provide specific spoilage signs for each food type to help you make this judgment.

Freezing pauses the clock on food deterioration but doesn't reset it. Food frozen at peak freshness will maintain better quality than food frozen near its expiration. Our calculator accounts for this by asking when the food was originally purchased or dated, not just when it was frozen.

Food longevity depends on factors like moisture content, acidity, processing methods, and natural preservatives. For example, canned goods last years because the canning process destroys microorganisms, while fresh berries spoil quickly due to high moisture and delicate structure. Our database accounts for these fundamental differences.

We review our database quarterly to incorporate new food safety research and user feedback. When significant changes occur in food handling recommendations (like updated USDA guidelines), we implement updates immediately. You can sign up for our newsletter to be notified of important changes.

We recommend following the manufacturer's guidelines exactly for infant foods and formula, as babies are more vulnerable to foodborne illness. Our tool can provide general guidance for when you've opened a container, but always prioritize the product's specific instructions for infant nutrition.

We have categories for common leftovers in our database. As a general rule, most cooked foods last 3-4 days in the refrigerator. The calculator provides more specific guidance based on the type of food and how it was stored. Remember that proper cooling (within 2 hours of cooking) significantly affects leftover safety.

Currently, our tool is available as a mobile-friendly website that you can add to your home screen like an app. We're developing native iOS and Android apps with additional features like barcode scanning and push notifications for expiration reminders - sign up for updates if you're interested in beta testing!