master-cooks | Why You Should Grab Perishable Groceries From The Back Of The Shelf

When shopping for perishable groceries, reaching for items at the back of the shelf can be a smart strategy to ensure you get the freshest products available. Typically, grocery stores stock shelves by placing newer items behind older ones to encourage the sale of products nearing their expiration date. By selecting items from the back, you are more likely to find products with a longer shelf life, which means they will stay fresh longer at home. This practice can help reduce food waste as fresher products are less likely to spoil before you have the chance to use them. Additionally, choosing items with a longer expiration date can save you money in the long run, as you can buy in bulk or take advantage of sales without worrying about spoilage. This strategy is particularly beneficial for products like dairy, bread, and fresh produce, where freshness significantly impacts taste and nutritional quality. While it might take a little extra effort to reach for items at the back, the benefits of longer-lasting, fresher groceries make it a worthwhile habit.

Freshness from the back of the shelf

It might seem illogical to place the freshest items at the back of grocery store shelves, but there’s a rationale behind it. This strategy actually minimizes the risk of customers consuming expired products, which can lead to foodborne illnesses. (For more information on food safety, check out Chowhound's guide on common food safety errors to avoid.) This approach is particularly beneficial for highly perishable goods like milk and eggs.

There are two primary food service methods that utilize this principle. The first, known as First In, First Out (FIFO), organizes products based on their arrival at the store. Items that were received first are positioned toward the front of the shelf, while those that arrived later are placed at the back.

The second method, First Expire, First Out (FEFO), operates on a similar concept but focuses on expiration dates rather than delivery dates. The outcome is largely the same: older items with nearer expiration dates are placed at the front, while newer products are positioned further back.

Why You Should Grab Perishable Groceries From The Back Of The Shelf

Freshness from the back of the shelf

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