Stephenville FFA Member Explores Food Expiration Dates and Safety
Thursday, January 23, 2025 | Author: Texas FFA News
Kenley Pack, a Stephenville FFA member, has been named the top Food Products and Processing Systems (Category 3) Agriscience Fair Project in the nation at the 97th Annual National FFA Convention and Expo.
The National FFA Agriscience Fair recognizes students who gain real-world, hands-on experiences in agricultural enterprises. Students use scientific principles and emerging technologies to solve complex problems related to agriculture, food and natural resources. The agriscience fair is for middle and high school students. Students compete in one of six categories in the agriscience fair and under one of the six divisions — either individually or in a team.
Pack’s project was titled “Why Waste? Evaluation of Bacteria Present on Food at Three Days After Expiration Date.” This study aimed to determine if food can be safely consumed after the food expiration date printed on packaging.
Research was conducted by swabbing food three days after the printed expiration date and comparing the number of bacteria colonies formed by food type. Five different foods including milk, apples, salad greens, bread and turkey were used.
“Through my study, it can be concluded that food is safe to eat after expiration dates if it has no other signs of expiration such as off-putting smells, discoloration or an off texture,” said Pack.
Her findings further concluded that there is no one food type of those evaluated that would be less safe to consume following the expiration date, based on the lack of statistical significance.
“Food waste has an overwhelming impact on the agriculture industry,” said Pack. “With food waste being so abundant, the food producers of the agriculture industry must work to supply a
consistent surplus of food to keep the food supply stable. If food waste was able to be lowered by just 15%, 2.5 million Americans could be saved from experiencing food insecurity.”
Pack's successful project was also recognized as the Star Chapter in Agriscience at the 2024 Texas FFA State Convention.
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