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get food poisoning much sweet fishy?...take a course in safe food handling...

P.S. all of this over a $3.00 item??

For all of you that think you must toss out anything on the "expiry date", must also conclude that the corporations that stamp the date are benevolent entities that do so solely for your own good

They are required to put those dates on the product.

Q: Should all food containers have dates on them?

A: There is no uniform system for food dating in the United States. Except for infant formula and some baby food, product dating is not required by federal regulations. Dating of foods is only required by about 20 states right now. Federal regulations do say, however, if a calendar date is used, it must express both the month and the day of the month. In the case of shelf-stable and frozen products, the calendar date, if used, must also include the year. If this calendar is used, there must also be a phrase next to it explaining the meaning of the date, such as �sell by� or �use before.�

Dates found on foods may be �open dating� or �closed� or coded dating. Open dating is the use of a calendar date that the consumer can understand. In general, open dating is found primarily on perishable foods such as meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products. Closed or coded dates might appear on shelf-stable foods such as cans, boxes, bags, etc.

Q: Can I eat a food after the �sell-by� date has expired?

A: A �Sell-By� or �Expiration� or �Use By� date tells the store how long to display a product for sale. Buy a product before a �sell by� or �use by� date, but it is still safe to use if it is wholesome and of good quality. Some foods, like fresh meats and poultry, last 1 to 2 days after the sell-by date, if kept properly refrigerated at all times � such as during transportation, display for sale, and storage at home. Other foods may last 3 to 4 days, or even a week, after the sell-by date expires. It is best to consult a home food storage chart for specific foods.

A �Best if Used By� or �Best if Used Before� date is the date to use for eating the food at its best quality or flavor. It is not a purchase date or date of final safety.

A �Use By� date is the last date recommended for the use of a food product. The date has been determined by the manufacturer and indicates the last date for peak quality. Do not use a product after the �use by� date.

Foods can develop off odors, flavor or appearance due to spoilage bacteria. If a food has developed any of these characteristics, do not use it, regardless of the date on the package. Mishandling of fresh foods can also change the safe storage time of foods regardless of package dates. Leaving perishable foods (those that require refrigerated storage) at room temperature or warmer for too long is one way of mishandling food. Defrosting at room temperature more than 2 hours, leaving foods out of coolers or refrigerators at picnics or parties, taking too long to get refrigerated or frozen foods home and refrigerated after purchase, or using contaminated cutting boards or utensils are other ways of mishandling foods in ways that shorten their safe storage times.

Q: How does dating of infant formula and baby food work?

A: Federal regulations require a �Use by� date on infant formula and baby food under FDA inspection. Nutrient retention is a key factor in dating of infant formula. If consumed by the �use-by� date, the formula must contain at least the quantity of each nutrient as described on the label. Formula must retain a quality that allows it to pass through an ordinary bottle nipple. (If stored too long, formula can separate and clog the nipple.)

Dating of baby food is for quality as well as nutrient retention. The same rule about retention of nutrients in infant formula applies to baby food. Development of off-flavors or poor texture is also considered. Product analyses are done throughout storage tests to help manufacturers select a �use-by� date. The conditions of storage, preparation and use as given on the label would have to apply.

Do not buy or use infant formula or baby foods after the �use-by� date.

Q: Can I use eggs after the expiration date?

A: If an egg carton has an expiration date printed on it, such as �EXP May 14,� do not purchase eggs after that date. It is the last day that the store may sell the eggs as fresh. On eggs with a federal grademark, such as Grade A or Grade AA, the date cannot be more than 30 days from the day the eggs were packed into the carton.

As long as you buy eggs before the expiration date, you should be able to safely use the eggs for 3 to 5 weeks after the date you purchase them. Fresh eggs should be taken home immediately from the store and refrigerated right away. Store in the refrigerator at 40 degrees F or below.