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What do you think the percentage is of Americans who throws out good food (even junk food) based on the expiration date? I mean - they do so not because the food might be stale but because they believe it suddenly became possibly toxic to eat.
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What's the percentage for non-food stuff like soap? The other day I noticed my liquid hand soap has an expiration date for whatever reason. I better hurry up - I only have two years left of it being safe.
I started thinking about it after I read this...
"Good thing I read the labels and dates before I opened or ate anything. I avoided potential food poisoning and/or a trip to urgent care by paying attention."
It's from an Amazon review. After they checked the label - they learned the package was delivered with an expiration date two weeks past. They are talking about a Ruffles potato chip variety pack.
It is generally safe to consume foods like chips a few days past their expiration date, as long as the bag remains sealed and undamaged. In the case of chips, the primary concern is staleness, but they're unlikely to pose any health risks if unopened for weeks/months.
Soap, on the other hand, is a different story. The denaturing of soap, in this context, refers to its chemical composition breaking down over time. Expired soap might lose its effectiveness, potentially making it less capable of cleaning or disinfecting. So, for hygiene purposes, it's best to use soap that's within its date. In coffee or tea, the denaturing process becomes more critical. Caffeine content decreases over time, which might impact the expected energy boost.