What Expiration Dates REALLY Mean (It's NOT What You Think!)

[Rhiannon12866]

Expiry dates appear on almost every packaged food item, yet most people misunderstand what they actually mean. In this video, we explain what expiry dates really represent, how they are decided, and why they do not always mean food becomes unsafe the moment the date passes.

What Expiry Dates Really Mean Explained | Simple Things Surprising Histories

This documentary style episode from Simple Things Surprising Histories explores the history, science, and regulations behind food date labels. Using verified information, we break down the difference between expiry dates, best before dates, use by dates, and sell by dates, and explain how manufacturers determine them.

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
00:51 - CHAPTER 1 - Why Expiry Dates Exist at All
01:30 - CHAPTER 2 – Expiry Date vs Best Before vs Use By
02:16 - CHAPTER 3 – How These Dates Are Actually Decided
02:53 - CHAPTER 4 – When Dates Matter… and When They Don’t
03:22 - OUTRO

Topics covered in this video:
What expiry dates actually mean
Why food expiry dates were introduced
Difference between best before, use by, and sell by dates
How manufacturers decide food date labels
Which foods become unsafe after expiry
Which foods are still safe past the printed date
How expiry dates affect food waste worldwide
When to trust the date and when to trust your senses

[Bluepinky]

1. I've used canned products years after they expired with no problems.

Good video; too much food is thrown away for no reason. Like the video states, be most cautious with fresh meat, fish and dairy.

[Wonder Why]

2. Food isn't the only issue. Prescription medicines are required by law to show that you should

"discard after [one year]" in spite of the fact that on the original package (if the prescription label is just put on it) may show that the true expiration date may be a couple of years later.

That's important as you may have medication doses changed, taken off the medication for a while, or other reason not to use. My VA insulin and Ozempic received last summer have a VA label saying I should discard it but the manufacturer's date shows it's good until well into 2027.