Community Engagement

Summary

When I began to talk to my friends about expiration dates, and how they can affect not only our health but also our environment, I quickly realized they knew little. Nearly everyday, they are buying groceries, throwing out expired food, and taking medicine, yet they still didn’t know the myths and tips behind expiration dates. Throughout the year, I made announcements at morning meetings and sent out forms to my entire high school to gauge the knowledge of my peers on specific aspects of expiration dates. Once I received the results of the forms, I would send out a follow up email summarizing the results, and giving some tips about how to be more sustainable. Here are the results of some of the forms I sent out and my follow up emails.

Form:

Follow up Email:

  • 43.4% of you replied that you can’t remember the last time you threw out your medicine. Over time medicine loses its potency, so if you show up to school or work thinking that your aspirin will kick in, but you are still in pain, go check your expiration dates! 
  • An astounding 83% knew that expired aspirin irritates the stomach. It breaks down into vinegar and salicylic acid over time, another reason why you should throw it if it is past its expiration date. 
  • The FDA found that 88% of 122 drugs under ideal conditions should have their expiration dates extended by an average of 66 months, and tablets often last longer than liquid medication; 92.5% of you knew that! 
  • Nevertheless, for the 30.2% of you who said you don’t know where to find information about medicine expiration, your pharmacist is the best option. 
  • I do have some expiration-extending tips to save you time and money. Most of you already store your medicine in a cool and dry place, which is the first major step, but only a small amount knew that you should also store it in a dark place.

Form:

Follow up email:

  • 95% of you have never disposed of medicine at an FDA drop off site or are not sure what that is, so this email is perfect for you!
  • All of the answers available for FDA drop off sites (retail, hospitals, clinic pharmacies, and law enforcement facilities) are possible FDA drop off sites, so they are super accessible!
  • For the 66% of you who knew that incorrect medicine disposal can affect drinking supplies, congratulations. The medicine can seep into water tables and affect your drinking water. Incorrect disposal of medicine can also confuse medicine users, accidentally poison humans or pets, and provide more opportunities for drug abuse.

Here is where you can find FDA drop off sites near you: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know/drug-disposal-drug-take-back-locations

Photo Credit: Hmm… https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HRW_Fermented_Chili_Bean_Curd_Ingredients.JPG

Form:

Follow up email:

  • 78% percent of you all knew that “Sell by” dates don’t pertain to the safety of the foods. They simply mean that the Market should begin taking that food off the shelf.
  • 40.8% of you knew that food waste misinterpretation causes 20% of all food waste in the UK.
  • 52.1% of you knew that food expiration date misinterpretation sets the average family of four back $255-$475 annually
  • However, only 27.1% of you knew that expiration dates were noted as the major contributor to 160 billion pounds of food waste in the U.S. annually
  • Finally here are the answers to the expiration date puzzle:
    • Sell by date: Market must take food off of the shelf
    • Best if used by date: After this date food may become stale or lose some flavor
    • Pack Date: Markets use this date to control inventory; food may be good for years after this date
    • Use by date: Similar to “Best if Used by” date, marks decline in quality
    • Expiration date: Pertains to safety or functionality, should not be used after this date
    • Quality Assurance date: Marks change in flavor or texture, most likely still safe after

Form:

Follow up email:

  • Refrigerate: Flour, Nuts, Veggies for Immediate Use, Apples, Grapes, Jams, Nut Butters, Tortillas, Cooked Foods, Sprouts, Eggplant, Berries, Broccoli, Carrots, Celery, Leafy Greens
  • Freeze: Ginger, Meat, Yeast, Veggies for long term storage, Avocados
  • Freeze In Resealable Bags: Leftovers ie. Chili, Vegetable Lasagna, Tofu Curry, Falafel Fritters
  • Store In Air-tight Glass Containers: Sugar
  • Leave in Room Temperature: Tomatoes, Watermelon, Potatoes, Onions, Coffee, Garlic, Honey
  • Clip ends and store in glass container with some water: Herbs ie. Parsley, Basil, Thyme
  • Hang Bananas above other fruits
  • Puree very ripe or soft fruits and veggies
  • Ensure refrigerator is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Regrow vegetables from your throw-aways
  • Store Lettuce in Aluminum Foil
  • Presoak berries in vinegar

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