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The Kitchen Table

Food expiration

9 years ago

Why is it that food sold in supermarkets, etc expire on a certain date and then are considered inedible while those same items sent to our Armed Service personel never expire and are eaten and with no ill effects?

I have eaten canned or jarred food several years past their expiration date and although the quality might not be as good as fresh, it was just fine. We suffered NO ill effects whatsoever.

Jus wondering why that is.

Featured Answer

caseynfld

9 years ago

It's so the food companies can trick you into throwing away perfectly good food and then spend more so they make more money. I eat food that is past it's best before date all the time.

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Comments (6)

graywings123
9 years ago
There are not expiration dates on food. There are "sell by" dates and "best by" dates, but not expiration dates. Medicines have expiration dates.
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OklaMoni
9 years ago
Hey, Rose, how are you today?
User thanked OklaMoni
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User
Original Author
9 years ago
Graywings, thanks for that info. As for RX's, my doctor told me to keep any left over meds in the freezer, and it stays viable for years. Not liquids though.

OklaMoni, Thank you for sking. I'm a lot better, but can't shake the cough. Tomorrow Tobey has an appt at VA, and Thursday, I go and get my Odd spots checked out by a specialist. Hope it's minor and with an easy fix,

Casey, I think you probably nailed it. Tobey said the same thing. Thanks.
cynic
9 years ago
You also need to keep in mind that the "best by" dates are intended for maximum freshness, they won't guarantee it beyond that date but most food makers say up front that it can be good after the date. Also, food quality depends HEAVILY on proper storage. If you leave your canned goods sitting on the blacktop driveway in Phoenix, AZ, I highly doubt your turnips will be very good even before the "best by" date.
User thanked cynic
User
Original Author
9 years ago
We keep our canned items in a 12' x 14' basement pantry that is cool and dry, so Tobey likes to stock up on canned vegetables and fruit when they are on a good sale.

I had to laugh out loud about storing turnips in the sun in Phoenix. Since we both hate turnips, that's probably where we would prefer our turnips to be. LOL

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