Expiration date question

[meegbear]

Let's say you have an item that is a tablet or a powder (ie non-liquid). You look at the container and it says "Expires June 2007" or "Best By June 2007".

Does it mean the beginning of the month or the end of the month? I've always thought of it as the end of the month. Curious on how other people interpret it.

[Shell Beau]

1. I would guess it covers all of June!

[Joe Fields]

2. Also, does that mean that you have no worries, if you buy it on

the last day of April?

Also, Led Zeppelin rocks!

[dropkickpa]

3. Expires on the last day of the month listed

I spent a lot of time yelling at inspectors for writing us up for "expired" drugs until we finally made them phone the manufacturers.

[SacredCow]

6. That's the rule....

Unless a date is specified, the product expires on the last day of the month listed.

Of course, I routinely ignore that date except for dairy products and meats.

[NightWatcher]

4. most expiration dates are an attempt to get you to buy more of the product

I'll admit that milk can spoil, so to can other foods and beverages, but some expiration dates are only an attempt to get you to buy more of the item. My Arm and Hammer baking soda has an expiration date. I doubt that it loses its sodium-ness or bicarbonate-tude over time. The A&H people know that often times the box of soda never runs out and they need you to go buy more so that they can make money.

[meegbear]

5. I buy discount protein powders and such ...

Vitamin Shoppe and Vitamin World give me heads up on products about to be marked down.

I just 2 containers of protein at 75% off with an expiration of June 2007. Never had a problem and they get used within a decent time frame.

[unpossibles]

7. while I agree with the general idea

I used to be a baker for years, and baking soda/powder can get less potent after opening, usually from humidity.

But yeah, I still use old baking soda and old yeast and it usually works still. I look at most of those as "suggestions" - if the item in question is not stinky or fuzzy green, I usually will eat it. I have scared my wife more than once doing this ("Honey, do you think this 2 week old chili is still good?" I ask with it already in my mouth...), but I have only gotten food poisoning once in my life*, and that was from a restaurant.





* <knock on wood>