Is this Still Good?

Food expiration dates is always something that confuses the heck out of me. Why can't there be a universal way to explain when you shouldn't chance eating the food? I just don't want to get diarrhea or give my family or company a bad case of the BG's (bubble guts). I waste so much food because I would rather play it safe.

If it was so simple, I think I could understand. I am a college educated person and it seems confusing to me. I know those of you reading this may say, "It's not saying much if you are confused." Basically implying that I am dumb. But really try to make sense of it.

There is:

"Best if used by"- does this mean you can still take a chance eating it after that date? How long after can you eat it after the best used by date...a day, week, month? I hate this one. It's like you take your chances past that date because it doesn't say, "It goes bad by this date. DO not EAT." "Or you can eat any date after the 'best by' date but it will be stale." Little more direction, please.

"Freeze or use by"- Now how long can it stay in the freezer? You know that stuff gets freezer burn. What if you buy it and then don't freeze it until the use by date? Is it still good? Say you take it out to thaw months after the use by date but it was in the freezer, how can that still be OK?

"Exp 00/00/0000"- This is pretty self explanatory. Don't eat it after this day. However, we shop at Costco and you don't even open the 2ND or 3rd package by this date. My mom, and several others say it is fine if you haven't opened it. But it doesn't say that on the package. This stuff also goes in the trash. It should say "Exp one month after opened." Can I get some more instructions, this is my tummy we are dealing with?

"Best if eaten within 7 days of opening"- Hot dogs and bologna have a whole separate thing. They have a date and then this message written tiny! Well, can you still eat it past the best by date? Or do you go by the other random date on the package? Who can eat that many hot dogs or bologna in just 7 days?

"00/00/0000" - Again, just a date, I will throw out by that date, unless unopened rule still applies here?

Then you get some food that has a whole set of separate directions. More complex but just as confusing. Like, "Freeze, take out 24 hours before, refrigerate." I mean I think I get it? Then some food spoils before the date listed. I wonder who comes up with these dates and how accurate they really are.

I think the food and drug administration should get their act together and make it universal. "DO NOT EAT AFTER THIS DATE 00/00/0000. PERIOD. Doesn't matter if you freeze, eat within 7 days, take out defrost and freeze again, just make sure it's gone and eaten by this date or throw it away. If you eat this after, you will be sick!" Simple...I think!