So who else buys food past the expiration date?

[jodi]

A co-worker of mine recently refused to eat two snacks she got out of the vending machine because they were past their expiration date. Please tell me I'm not the only one who disregards dates for most items! My favorite store is a "scratch and dent" type place that sells expired food or foods in damaged packing (i.e. broken boxes, not dented or broken cans). I have found that most items are good long beyond their dates.
For example: most hard or shredded cheese is good for a month or more past the date, if it hasn't been opened. In about two years, I have only ever bought one package of cheese that I couldn't eat. I've also eaten cottage and ricotta cheese several months past the date (although I don't open the package until I'm ready to use it).
yogurt: I've eaten this at least a month past the date (although once it's opened, it does go downhill fast).
eggs: the article below states they are good for 3-5 weeks past the expiration date.
frozen meats or entrees: they're frozen. So long as they were frozen by the expiration date, I figure they are good until I get around to eating them (of course, the longer they spend in the freezer, the quality does decrease).

I regularly get these items at half price or less. I hope I'm not the only one...although I sure do enjoy the savings, and I'm happy to eat what others won't if it saves me money!

Food Expiration Dates: What Do They Really Mean? ; Seattle Washington WA

[jIM_Ohio]

I tend to buy milk past it's expiration date, but my excuse is I was breastfed by my grandmother.

On the serious side, buying expired food sounds like a waste of money, unless it's fed to pets you want to get rid of.

[jodi]

Why do you think that? I'm just trying to understand why people are so set on the dates they see on the package, as it seems to be a very common phenomenon. Did you read the article link that basically says most foods are good past the dates?

I figure that I've saved at least half on the items I buy past the date - so I'm maybe saving $20/month conservatively. In the two years I have gone to this store, I have only ever had to throw out one block of cheese ($1), so how is this a waste of money? The way I look at it, I've saved $239.

I remember hearing once how long stores were allowed to sell food past the dates (although most stores won't - but my store does and thrives from it - there is no lack of customers any time I go), but I couldn't find any info on it. My store happens to be Mennonite run, and I have read books by Mennonites concerning how much food is wasted and living simply in order to conserve our resources. I wonder if this is the reason they chose to operate this type of store - to cut down on the food wasted.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I always do. Try pepperidge farm thrift store. On my blog I wrote about it. Nice cheap stuff.

[PrincessPerky]

I don't I have sensitive taste buds...I can tell milk that is on the due date..because it tastes funny.....

My husband doesn't care, but he doesn't know the difference between cinnamon and allspice either....

Though I will buy meat the day it is due and freeze it..nothing worse than what happens anyway when you freeze it occurs (though I am extra careful to cook it quickly from thawing)

[zakity]

I use milk that is past it's date but not "bad" for cooking and baking.

[Lori63]

We have a Sharp Shopper that has alot of past exp. date items, but also things like Quaker Granola Bars, Yogos, that aren't past the date. I got 13 bags of groceries for $49. They don't take coupons, but you can't beat fullsize bags of chips for 50 cents.
I also found alot of the Healthy Ones products for 99 cents.

[Caoineag]

If I freeze something before its expiration date, no problem. But there is a few items (read dairy) in your post that I have a hard time eating up to the expiration date let alone past. I have had ones that I have had to throw out up to a week before the expiration date because they tasted so off (and I tend to never buy that brand again).

As to cheese, most hard cheeses don't have expiration dates. I worked in a deli so I know that unopened packages of hard cheese can last for quite some time hence you don't usually find an expiration date on them. Shredded is okay until it molds. Soft cheeses though require you to be a bit more careful. If you see discoloration before the expiration date, they are still bad.

[simpleyme]

I work at a little store if something is expired I buy it at a deep discount and feed it to my family , I love that people are scared by expiration dates it leaves that stuff for me ;-)

[sweeps]

I use a small strainer to filter out the curds when I pour milk into my cereal.

[Snowgirl]

Well, around here stores don't sell food past it's due date (I think it's against the law), but they sometimes discount things that are very close to the due date. I have no problem buying those for the discount, and using them or anything in my fridge that's past it's date, if it looks OK. When containers are unopened or full, they can keep quite a bit: yogourt can go 2-3 weeks after the date, milk 1-2 week if stuck in the back of the fridge, sealed cheddar cheese (ex. Kraft) I have eaten 2-3 months afterwards. The "cold chain" is much more important than any date. A half open milk pint in the fridge door will go bad way before the date specified. What do people think happens during the night, a food destroyer monster ? Cereals, chips, processed dry food (pre-packaged cakes, ...), bread, up to a certain point they're mostly a bit dry or humid.

Mostly, I judge by the look & odor, like they did before food industrialization. Nature is made well, most food that is not good anymore & dangerous, you will notice.

[simpleyme]

okay sweeps you had me, I was thinking wow that is really daring LOL

I would say no to spoiled milk but milk that is close can be frozen and used in cooking ,same with meat freeze it before it turns brown or turns and it is still good later,same with fruits and veggies,trim them freeze them and use in cooking

once something is rotten I would not attempt to use it for anything

[DebbieL]

Depends on the item. Not for milk or meats. For things like pasta, potato chips, canned goods, etc. I couldn't care less. I probably wouldn't even notice if they have a best before date. I'm sure I have crackers in my cupboards that are probably at least a year over any best before date.

[Seeker]

Offer this site for review:

Food Safety: Product Dating


Milk is usually a "sell by" date -- and the life for use WHEN properly refriderated, goes well beyond that date. You will notice a definite taste difference in milk when it's gone bad.

Cheeses -- be careful with this. I have seen packages in the store propely dated (with 3 months ahead dates) that also had the white mold forming on the edges of it. -- Not a normal occurance, but look carefully both at the date and at the product when buying cheese (I'd imagine that this product was frozen and too much condensation was produced within the bag when it was defrosted for the store shelves).

Meats -- okay to buy on the date and freeze and well-cook after defrosting -- but don't let it sit defrosted too long. I would not recommend buying after the "use by" date.

[LuxLiving]

No to meats, milk, dairy.
Yes, Yes, YES to packaged & canned goods. I do tend to try to stay away from crackers and flour products after a while...what's that toxin called??

[sounderella]

Growing up my parents always went to a thrift store to buy expired bread for .25 a loaf and they would come home and freeze it....it was still good. Unfort, I haven't been able to find something like this otherwise I would do it. I just wait till bread is on sale, stock up and freeze it.