Do you check expiration dates at the store?

[kwelch10377]

Only dairy

Most medications only have an expirations date because the FDA requires it and most companies don't have the time to test their products past 2-3 years, so that is that expiration date they put on the box. There have been studies done though that most drugs can still fully effective after 5-6 years.

The only exception would be a complex drug that would break down sooner and some liquid meds may lose their effectiveness.

 

[merekc]

I do, ever since early 2008 when I pulled a frozen meal out of the case at my grocery store...the box felt warped, so I checked the date. Its best-by date was 2005.

Dang it, you beat me! I once found 4 month out of date corn tortillas at the store. This store was notorious for having expired food. Because of that I only stopped in when I needed something quick. Every time i went, I found at least one expired item. I think they bought expired stuff "off the back of the truck" because there was just soo much there.

When we were traveling in Yellowstone this past summer, we stopped in Cooke City, MT and bought lunch before heading into the park. My DH had to have a bottle of pop, not a fountain didn't trust the fountain drinks in the small town (pop snob). Once on the road, my DH took a drink of his bottled pop and said it didn't taste right. He looked and it was expired. I was driving and told him to check our kids' pops. Of course, no one ever listens to mom. 20 minutes later DS5 threw up in the car, come to find out his pop was 9 months out of date. I was going to contact the gas station when we got back home from the trip, however, that was were the bear attack happened right after we got back. I figured all the expired pop probably was purchased by the media.

In answer to your question, I do, my Dh does not.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

I do the same thing with perishable items. DH thinks I'm crazy because I dig around for the best date.

Me too!

I remember when I was pregnant being excited when I got close enough that my soy milk was set to expire after my due date...of course then my due date came and went, the soy milk expired, and the baby was 2 weeks late!

 

[princessbride6205]

I need to better check my food at the store. DH says I'm notorious for always finding the dented can. I guess I just don't think about it. But I have ended up with expired products, moldy cheese, etc. It totally steams me that the store doesn't check their stuff, but I should know by now to look at everything. Last weekend I bought a jar that when I got home, realized it was already open.

 

[twinboysmom]

I check dairy products and all baby products. Need to check all of what i buy. I will tell you that I had tons of problems with infant formula from Babies R Us. They always had expired formula on their shelves. I brought a can home as I was not yet smart enough to check and when I opened it the smell was terrible. Of course it expired. Took it back and got some new formula. A few weeks later went back and they still had expired formula on the shelf, the same as I had brought back. I stood there and watched them pull it off after I made a large and loud fuss. Went back another time and they had put it back out. Called the dept. of health and let them deal with it.

 

[Kathi OD]

I don't even check the milk.

As has been mentioned before, those dates don't mean that the item suddenly goes bad on that date. Those dates are a guideline. You're not going to die or even get sick if you eat or use something that is "past it's date."

Even with medicine the date is not finite. Most medicines retain their effectiveness for several years after the date on the box or bottle.

 

[kirstenb1]

I check perishables. Sam's Club has turned me into a total Nazi because they always have expired perishables, and we live 30 minutes away.

I don't check non-perishables, however.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

I don't even check the milk.

As has been mentioned before, those dates don't mean that the item suddenly goes bad on that date. Those dates are a guideline. You're not going to die or even get sick if you eat or use something that is "past it's date."

Even though I know this, I will not use milk ON and most certainly not after it's expiration date! I think the milk fairy comes at midnight and *poof* it's bad milk. DH will gross me out by drinking milk a day or two past it's date. It's just one of my food quirks....like bones and bananas....

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Our local quick mart kind of place at a gas station had pie crusts- which I ran in to buy this past holiday- I looked at the date and couldn't believe it! It had expired in 2006! 4 years ago!

That's terrible! I always check on refrigerated items or meat.

I have found expired meat and dairy products on more than one occassion at my local Safeway. I bring it to their attention, but they don't seem at all concerned.

On a side note, a girlfriend of mine was cleaning out her pantry last month and found a can of soup that expired in 1996

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Only dairy

Most medications only have an expirations date because the FDA requires it and most companies don't have the time to test their products past 2-3 years, so that is that expiration date they put on the box. There have been studies done though that most drugs can still fully effective after 5-6 years.

The only exception would be a complex drug that would break down sooner and some liquid meds may lose their effectiveness.

Glad to hear this because I never throw away expired meds. Ok, maybe 2 years after the expiration date. But, in my mind they are ok

 

[cm8]

You're not going to die or even get sick if you eat or use something that is "past it's date."

If you have a comprimised immune system and less of the good bacteria in your body you may not die at first, but you will likely become sick and to the point that you wish you were dead

Even with medicine the date is not finite. Most medicines retain their effectiveness for several years after the date on the box or bottle.
True, and some loses some of their potency as well as have the potential to increase in potency

That is why it is recommended that you discard it. I am like conservative hippie, once the date has approached or even if it has been a few days past, you will not catch me eating or drinking diary or other items. My husband he doesn't mind so much but he always gets me to smell the item first. My sniffer works better than his

 

[Disney Doll]

yes

 

[momrek06]

Yes, I do check the expiration dates.

 

[Luv'sTink]

Put me in the Yes, I do corner...

 

[tvguy]

Yes I do check. But I notice a lot of products have changed from "Use by Date" to "Best by Date". I have no idea what that means. I do know the most OTC medicines can be used for years and years after the expiration date.
The Sams Club comment caught my attention. I haven't belonged in years, since we got Walmarts here. I don't think I've ever seen an expired product at our Super Walmart, the turnover of products in that store is amazing. My wife's nephew managed the frozen food section of a Super Walmart. He said the typical frozen food item is sold within 8 days of being arriving from the warehouse. Any product that didn't have a 100% turnover in 30 days was flagged and had the potential to be dropped as a slow seller. He said Walmarts goal was to have a produce sold before they got the bill from the supplier for it.