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Expiration date question: "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." (hexbear.net)

submitted 2 years ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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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.
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.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

with food, I'm sure most ( 70+%) americans have at some point tossed something good because of the expiry. with non-food i bet most never see it or ignore it.

Its a good frame of reference for items that actually do go bad or for freshness generally, but its almost always too short. I used to have eggs last an almost disturbingly long time in the fridge. they may not be as good after that long but they never tasted or smelled bad or made me sick.