Is this you?
Have you ever hidden a bag of Michele's Granola in the back of a cupboard in efforts to keep the crunchy golden goodness all for yourself? We love customers like you!
But have you ever forgotten about that bag, discovering it after the "Best By" date is past, and wondered, can I still eat this?
What does "Best By" mean?
The "Best By" date on our bags is just that: The date by which our handmade granola and muesli, and freshly milled granola butter are "best!" Best quality, flavor and freshness. But it's important to note the "Best By" date is not necessarily an indicator of safety, and creates confusion that leads many consumers to waste food that may be just fine to enjoy.
Best practices for keepin' it fresh
We follow the recommendations of the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, "Spoiled foods will develop an off odor, flavor or texture due to naturally occurring spoilage bacteria. If a food has developed such spoilage characteristics, it should not be eaten."
There are other simple practices to put in place to keep Michele's Granola fresh, including tightly sealing the bag after opening it, as well as storing it in a cool, dry place, not a humid sunny corner of the kitchen.
And if you're concerned you won't get to a bag of Michele's Granola before the Best By date, you can always pop it in the freezer up to six months to extend the freshness, and you can enjoy it right out of the freezer. (Kitchen tip: Avoid putting your fresh granola or muesli into a container with a lot of air. Air is the enemy of freshness!)