Do you look at the expiration date?
By firecracker
@sacmom (14192)
United States
May 9, 2007 4:21pm CST
Even though stores tend to do a good job in stocking fresh items (at least where I go, they do) do you look at the expiration date. It could be food (like milk, butter, meat, etc), or other items like batteries.
I usually look at the date out of habit, and rarely find an item that has expired, though it has happened. Like the time I went to the store and I wanted to get some yogurts. Some of them were actually past the date by several days. Yuck! Who would want to buy these? :P Another time it was a cartoon of eggs. As there was an employee a few feet away, I brought it to his attention about the expired eggs. And this happened at a more expensive grocery store!
So do you look at the expiration date when buying groceries? Or do you just take chance that the date is good? And what about the groceries that you previously bought that are still in your house? Do you check to make sure those are still fresh as well? Please share your thoughts.
13 people like this
48 responses
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
11 May 07
That is funny, I just now checked the date on a bottle of medicine I was opening to give to one of my children. I do check expiration dates, but they do not affect me too much except on milks and medicines, and like you said also batteries.
2 people like this
@gp2sbeta (275)
• Brazil
10 May 07
Yes, sure!
I always read the expiration date of food produts, and others with expiration date, to stockin.
The method of stocking to: in the freezer, light, water, the children access too.
This security is very important for us, parents, kids, pets, environment...
2 people like this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
10 May 07
i'm more careful about it now-i had bought some vacuum packed espresso that turned out to be 3 years old.vacuumed or not,it tasted of mold.it was gross.
i don't know if they bought up an old lot or what.3 years past is inexcusable.
2 people like this
@whywiki (6066)
• Canada
9 May 07
One morning I was extremely hung over. I stopped at the local convenience store for some chocolate milk to help. I was tired and didn't pay attention to the expiry date. I opened it up and chugged some down before I realized it was sour. It didn't help at all and now I always check expiry dates on dairy products! I check all the dates on dairy products and choose the freshest.
@PurpleParker (81)
• United States
10 May 07
i always look at the dates on items in the store. I have to figure out if I will use it all by the time it expires..or at least right after that.
I hate when stores have sales on the items that have expired..or are within days of expiring..
@jbb316 (1779)
• United States
10 May 07
I always check the dates on refrigerated groceries like milk, eggs, and yogurt and meat. But I never really think about checking the dates on other items. I figure as long as it tastes good and is not a refrigerated item, it won't kill you. And I never check the date on bread I just feel it to see if it feels fresh.
1 person likes this
@thrwbckjay67 (2870)
• United States
10 May 07
I always check expiration dates. The reason being is that both my wife and I are 9-5 workers and we need to have things that may last a little longer because we don't have the time to cook or prepare food as much as we'd like to.
We do go through a lot of the groceries in the house for expiration dates as well. When we are about to head to the store for another supply run, we'll check to see if anything is close to expiring so that we can make sure to get more if we need to. We always check our freshness.
1 person likes this
@retardedrugrat (4791)
• Canada
10 May 07
I always check the expiration date. It's a habit I got into after having the kids, because some illnesses caused by food being off can be extremely dangerous to young children.
I had to teach my partner to check the dates too, because not having had much contact with kids before mine came to live with us, it was a habit he really wasn't into. Now, he's an old pro at it :P
I also make sure I check the expiry date on food before I unwrap and cook it as well. Most times, with things like meat, we freeze it, and then take it out to defrost the night before. That way we know it'll still be good to eat whenever we want to use it.
1 person likes this
@tallpaulno44a (1574)
• United States
10 May 07
Yes, I always check the expiration date.
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
10 May 07
There is usually a date on the side of the cartoon of eggs. If I don't see a date on the cartoon I pass it up.
@Ephylyos (154)
•
10 May 07
I learnt when I was a kid to always look at the expire date, not only that but I was restaurant manager and I had to check the usual stuff like mayo, or ketchup, so in fact I do really look.
Sometimes after work I go to the shop and buy the last let for reduced price, knowing that yoghurt for example can be eaten nearly a week after the expire day actually expires..But sensible items like eggs, milk, or fish I stick on the label, no to be surprised in the middle of the night by a strong bellyache !!
1 person likes this
@pagli84 (1850)
• Netherlands
10 May 07
yah, i look at the expiration dates when i go shopping. i usually do my grocery shopping at the beginning of the week, and its supposed to last the entire week, so i need to make sure that what im buying will last at least that long! i try to buy whatever has the furthest expiration date because sometimes i just dont get around to using them. i mainly only do that with yogurt, chicken, fish, and bagged veggies. the milk i buy doesnt necessarily need to be put in the fridge.
1 person likes this
@SheliaLee (2736)
• United States
10 May 07
When it comes to milk I always check the expiration date but I'll have to admit that on other items I don't. But that is very good information to think about. I need to start checking the dates on everything else also. :)
@shekaina24 (161)
• Philippines
10 May 07
I often go to groceries, just that I'm the one whom taking charge all the needs at home. Whenever I buy something either food or not I'am very cautious with regards to expiration date. It's not that you're so miticulous but for our own safe. Sometimes a huge grocery can't even manage to see those left longer stocks, still at their stall and if were not aware of expiration date were almost cheated. I've experienced that, the quality really reflected, product is almost damaged and dangerous to used likewise food you'll be poisoned due to it's taste. So we have to be very careful on everything we buy....
1 person likes this
@nonew3 (1941)
• United States
10 May 07
I always check the expiration date before I buy any food. I am really glad I do that! One time I found a package of fig cookies that were several months after the due date, in one of the better grocery stores nearby. Yikes! I immediately notified an employee about this, and they pulled them off the shelves.
1 person likes this
@vermaekansh (27)
• India
10 May 07
now a days expiry dats for good r more important dan any other thing .....
most of the time all ppl find the goods with right expiry dats.....
usually its mostly happen in medicine....some of the small stores sell expirey dates medicine........which cause...disease..in some areas...
ppl living in rural areas...are nt aware of expiry dats of things they buy.....
i always check the expiry dats of the things i usually buy.....
1 person likes this
