Mom’s right. Those aren’t expiration dates, they’re “best by” dates. And their purpose is twofold. The big one is to get people to discard and replace. The small one is to give people a pleasant experience when they use the product.
I use the – if it passes the smell test, then it’s OK to consume!! Exception would be for meat,dairy and poultry products!! Have been using it for years and I’m still alive and breathing!!
I remember an Andre Norton juvenile that had as a subplot the idea that maple syrup doesn’t really expire (though as friend dcandmx notes above, it can go mouldy).
I just had some canned corned beef hash. Best by 2009! Tasted just fine. In 2008, I stocked up as I thought things would fall apart. Worked great for 2020 when they did! I had a few cans of tomato products leak, but for the most part not a problem at all. $81,000,000,000 of food a year is thrown away in this country and that should expire!!!!
Unfollowing today after a retry. For the same reason as before, I don’t like the edification of unwarranted insults and put downs (from nearly all characters). These only take away from positive relationships of spouses, parents, children, and friends.
My Dad spent 18 months in a German prison camp. I think it really affected his tolerance for eating food that was way past date. Food a year past expiration, “Ah, there’s nothing wrong with that.”
I know some folks that constantly look at dates and throw so much away. They don’t even do left overs, they are so paranoid. What a waste of money. They never have anything in their pantry. The pandemic hit and they were in trouble, no daily trips to stores or buying prepared meals. Hurricane hit and they almost went into a panic. We have enough food to last at least 6 months and we rotate them for the hurricane season. Some gets old but we are smart enough to know that if the can bulges, the food smells bad or has little things growing on it, not to eat it. We don’t need a greedy manufacturer or stupid government to tell us what to eat. Over 70 and going strong.
There are “sell by” dates, “use by” dates, and “best by” dates. Mostly I ignore them all. Milk is the only one I check when I buy. I have a box of Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies in my fridge that is at least 20 yrs. old. Still crispy, still tastes the same as when it was new. I eat one every 2-3 years. It’s practically a family heirloom by now!
Stayed at my son’s in-laws house while looking for a house in Albuquerque, she was in Portland for a while. She had condiments dating back to 2013. We threw them out and replaced them for her.
I had a co-worker who wouldn’t touch a carton of milk if it was even close to it’s expiry date. On the other hand, she could not understand how a carton of milk could go bad before it’s expiry date just because it was left out on the counter over a long weekend…
Concretionist almost 3 years ago
Mom’s right. Those aren’t expiration dates, they’re “best by” dates. And their purpose is twofold. The big one is to get people to discard and replace. The small one is to give people a pleasant experience when they use the product.
Templo S.U.D. almost 3 years ago
Never thought of maple syrup to go bad and taste off-putting.
Ratkin almost 3 years ago
He’s sweet and he waffles.
LookingGlass Premium Member almost 3 years ago
I use the – if it passes the smell test, then it’s OK to consume!! Exception would be for meat, dairy and poultry products!! Have been using it for years and I’m still alive and breathing!!
(O _ O)
gbars70 almost 3 years ago
Don’t know if Earl ever had a ‘best before date’.
stillfickled Premium Member almost 3 years ago
That was uncalled for, Opal.
David Huie Green ForceIsAUsefulFiction almost 3 years ago
“…and it isn’t even a decade past its prime.”
Looneytunes65 almost 3 years ago
That goes both ways Opal.
some idiot from R'lyeh Premium Member almost 3 years ago
I remember an Andre Norton juvenile that had as a subplot the idea that maple syrup doesn’t really expire (though as friend dcandmx notes above, it can go mouldy).
sandpiper almost 3 years ago
Looks like daughter is getting nosy again. Ironic after the recent arc about setting boundaries. Guess it didn’t take.
Erichalfbee almost 3 years ago
It wouldn’t get within a country mile of expiring in this house.
juicebruce almost 3 years ago
Opal nice of you to keep Earl …. and the syrup !
mcjacobs almost 3 years ago
Huh?
Doug K almost 3 years ago
Some people are like fine wine.
NeedaChuckle Premium Member almost 3 years ago
I just had some canned corned beef hash. Best by 2009! Tasted just fine. In 2008, I stocked up as I thought things would fall apart. Worked great for 2020 when they did! I had a few cans of tomato products leak, but for the most part not a problem at all. $81,000,000,000 of food a year is thrown away in this country and that should expire!!!!
pathamil almost 3 years ago
Remember: “Best before” does not mean “bad after.”
jagedlo almost 3 years ago
Don’t know if you noticed, Earl…you got cheap-shotted!
Twelve Badgers in a Suit Premium Member almost 3 years ago
So, when will it be time to toss Earl out? I’m hoping she means when he dies.
BearsDown Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Pot, kettle…
joegeethree almost 3 years ago
Thinking Earl’s “best by” date was 1975.
e.groves almost 3 years ago
My best by date expired years ago.
tiprod1953 almost 3 years ago
Unfollowing today after a retry. For the same reason as before, I don’t like the edification of unwarranted insults and put downs (from nearly all characters). These only take away from positive relationships of spouses, parents, children, and friends.
mrsdonaldson almost 3 years ago
I thought sugar didn’t go bad?
Tenner almost 3 years ago
I am saying this for all the husbands of the world — ouch
D Ob-one B almost 3 years ago
When I was a kid , nothing had expiration dates… if it tasted bad or looked bad … then you threw it out…
J Short almost 3 years ago
My Dad spent 18 months in a German prison camp. I think it really affected his tolerance for eating food that was way past date. Food a year past expiration, “Ah, there’s nothing wrong with that.”
MikeM_inMD almost 3 years ago
Hey! I resemble that remark!
The Reader Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Both are old and seldom used.
wirepunchr almost 3 years ago
Salt (even as old as the deposits are) have best by dates.
RickMcdermott almost 3 years ago
Priceless
hk Premium Member almost 3 years ago
I know some folks that constantly look at dates and throw so much away. They don’t even do left overs, they are so paranoid. What a waste of money. They never have anything in their pantry. The pandemic hit and they were in trouble, no daily trips to stores or buying prepared meals. Hurricane hit and they almost went into a panic. We have enough food to last at least 6 months and we rotate them for the hurricane season. Some gets old but we are smart enough to know that if the can bulges, the food smells bad or has little things growing on it, not to eat it. We don’t need a greedy manufacturer or stupid government to tell us what to eat. Over 70 and going strong.
tremaine53 almost 3 years ago
“Today’s hostile dig by Opal is brought to you by…. Aunt Jemima pancake syrup!”
KEA almost 3 years ago
ooh, nasty
Teto85 Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Pearl ain’t no spring chicken either.
Cathy P. almost 3 years ago
There are “sell by” dates, “use by” dates, and “best by” dates. Mostly I ignore them all. Milk is the only one I check when I buy. I have a box of Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies in my fridge that is at least 20 yrs. old. Still crispy, still tastes the same as when it was new. I eat one every 2-3 years. It’s practically a family heirloom by now!
Cactus-Pete almost 3 years ago
“Best by” date is not an expiration date. Maple syrup, like honey, doesn’t go bad. And do they really spend the money to get real maple syrup?
donwestonmysteries almost 3 years ago
Stayed at my son’s in-laws house while looking for a house in Albuquerque, she was in Portland for a while. She had condiments dating back to 2013. We threw them out and replaced them for her.
zeexenon almost 3 years ago
And taste is about 80% olfactory.
paullp Premium Member almost 3 years ago
When my wife asks me if I think a food product is still good, I tell her, “Well, if it didn’t get up and walk away by itself, then it’s fine.”
Glad to see so many people here who are aware that best by/sell by/use by dates are not the best way to judge food quality.
w16521 almost 3 years ago
Well Opal you are very much past your prime too!
JP Steve Premium Member almost 3 years ago
I had a co-worker who wouldn’t touch a carton of milk if it was even close to it’s expiry date. On the other hand, she could not understand how a carton of milk could go bad before it’s expiry date just because it was left out on the counter over a long weekend…