CNN Video: North Minneapolis grocery store sells expired food at "low, low prices"

[Amerigo Vespucci]

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/04/29/dnt.mn.salvage.store.kare

Expired food on shelves 1:34
KARE's Jeff Olsen reports on a discount grocery store that sells slightly expired food at low, low prices.

[evlbstrd]

1. Define expired.

If it ain't rotten or poison, it's still food.

[kath]

2. I have no problem with this -- there is a very large margin of safety built into those dates

(with the exception of fresh meat) Canned, dried, and packaged food can keep for years without being dangerous - might taste a bit (or quite a bit) stale or rancid, but won't be unsafe.

[Muttocracy]

3. Bought myself some expired food tonight

Not dairy or frozen or produce and I don't eat meat, but groceries are damn expensive and I'm willing to buy canned or sealed good that are a bit behind the arbitrary dates.

[kath]

6. Actually, even some dairy is fine well past the "expiration" date.

Whipping cream and half-and-half are usually ultra-pasteurized these days, which compromises the taste somewhat, but makes them last for a loooooong time, even a month or so past the "expiration date", IME.
Cartons of yogurt which haven't been opened yet are also good well past the date -- yogurt, sour cream, and cheeses are basically spoiled milk anyway. If there's no visible mold or a funny smell, you should be fine. And spots of mold can be cut away from hard cheeses.

Milk is also good for a while past the date - if it smells normal, and a small taste seems fine, you're good to go.

Doesn't make sense to throw away perfectly good food.

If a can of food is swollen or leaking (no matter WHAT the date), DEFINITELY do not eat -- botulism is very dangerous.

With the exception of the swollen-can-scenario, look at, smell or take a small taste of "expired" food --- trust your senses.

[ColbertWatcher]

4. DAY OLD BREAD IS THE WORK OF THE DEVIL!

All you're doing is making The Baby Satan wet himself in glee!

[roamer65]

5. I bought near expiration milk the other day.

It kept for much longer than the date on the carton and I just used the good 'ol sniff test. If this store feeds more people, I am all for it. Better than it being thrown into the garbage.