Occasionally when I have found things outdated, Over-the counter meds, or canned soup that was advertised as being on sale, I loaded all of the outdated stuff into my cart and then left it with the cashier. She then later alerted the appropriate person who could deal with it. I felt assured they didn't put it back on the shelf for some unsuspecting customer. I feel sorry for unsuspecting souls who maybe never think to check a date before purchasing things.

Sue

There is one chain of stores that seem to do this more so than others. I have mentioned it to the owner/manager and they will pick up the items, but it still happens. I am wondering with the cost of food etc, that some managers are not as careful as they should be. If I picked up the out of date stuff, 1/2 of the store would be in boxes. I too wonder if they do destroy the products or just put them back after I leave. I wrote to the CEO and they did investigate, but now I get the feeling that the manager would like me to go away--period! even though the CEO said my name or town would not be mentioned. So now I am very careful.

One time I had my husband pick up some fat-free bologna. He left to go somewhere and I ate two slices without checking the date on the package. When I did look I saw that it was expired two weeks earlier. I got scared and called the poison control center. She said that it had so much preservatives in it that it wouldn't bother me. She was right. I did call the store and told them about it and I assume they took care of it. Pat

Reminds me of a joke. "Best by June 10" doesn't mean it can't be eaten after June 10.

Jannie makes a good point. There is a difference to watch for on the products dating. I pay particular attention to deli and bakery items. I got tired of getting stale rolls.

I understand how it happens. Times are tough for retail now too. Stores have a labor budget and that's probably been cut significantly over the last decade. Stock SHOULD be rotated when put up, but there's a lot of variables. If someone is in a hurry, they'll stock and not rotate. Or in the back room things might not get rotated. And occasionally customers shuffle things while they're looking for just the right pumpkin pie. Also, on certain things, manufacturer reps are responsible for rotation so there's another variable on when they're in and how well they're doing their job. And of course, yes, often the stores do not get credited for outdated things so they'd naturally like to sell it if possible and preferably at full price rather than a markdown. There too, they have a budget margin to stay within for spoilage. Most will walk a tight line to keep numbers acceptable and the bottom line more conducive to a bonus.

Caveat emptor.

There are some things i don't worry about the sell date by,BUT dairy products isn't one of them.
Kathi

I've done the same thing -- one time all the Yoplait yogurt's sell-by dates were expired by at least a week (no wonder it was on sale). They'd still be safe to eat, but by law they are supposed to be removed. I told the clerk, who immediately told the manager -- she herself took a cart and started unstocking within a couple minutes.

I used to freak out about expiration dates and how long to keep something in the fridge (like mustard, or an opened can of olives.) This website has helped allay some of my "We're gonna get food poisoning" fears!

Here is a link that might be useful: food storage guide

Thanks for the website. I've bookmarked it to explore later.

I like to keep a good supply of things on hand. It takes me longer to put away groceries, but I rotate every time I put things away. Some items that I don't use as often, I write their exp date on the container in large numbers so I'm sure to use them up.

Shirley

I once visited my Mom,and checked out her refrigerator. There were eggs and mayonnaise with dates over a year old in there. She is nearly blind. I offered to buy new stuff for her, but she declined. "It's still good. I eat it."