Expiration Dates

The only expiration dates I might pay any real attention to are the ones placed on commercially packaged beef products.

It turns out that a lot of meat packagers are injecting these packages with carbon monoxide; this has the effect of making the meat appear fresh and pink indefinitely. Visible inspection to tell if its spoiled becomes virtually impossible and the only way you'll really know is to either go by the date on package, or physically handle and smell the meat.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

There is some effort to get the FDA to ban this process.

USA Today article
WA Post article
PR Newswire Article

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Quote:

And from the store, my mom bought me a soda from a gas station that was three months past the expiration date. The thing is, I didn't realize this until I was already halfway done with it. But since I only realized it from the date, and not the taste, I still finished it.

That's okay. Soda (non-diet) will last virtually forever provided the seal remains intact and it stays in a cool climate. Last year while visiting my grandmother, I cracked open a Sprite canned in 1995. Tasted just like it was made last week.

Hell, virtually all canned goods will last if their seal isn't broken. Just look at the dude that ate a 50 year old canned chicken.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

AFAIK, bagged chip products are packaged with Nitrogen rather than air to extend their shelf life. The nitrogen is inert, but the chips will still get mushy and nasty if they sit for long enough.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?