Scientists say you've been throwing away perfectly good meat because of one common mistake

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG. Researchers at Auburn University highlight findings showing significant household food losses and reveal how advanced modeling techniques may improve estimates of when meat products actually begin to spoil. Scientists are rethinking the dates consumers see on food packaging — and their research could help reduce not only food waste but also economic losses and environmental impacts tied to discarded food. "The average American wastes more than 1,000 pounds of food each year," according to Auburn University researchers. Part of the reason is that sell-by dates are overly conservative, the researchers said in a news release announcing their work to predict spoilage more accurately. VIRAL GROCERY SHOPPING METHOD PROMISES TO SLASH SPENDING: 'WAY EASIER, WAY CHEAPER' The findings could help consumers make more informed decisions about food safety while re