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The Lowdown on Expiration Dates

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by FloridaWen, Feb 12, 2008.

  1. FloridaWen

    FloridaWen New Member

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    The Lowdown on Expiration Dates -

    Trying to decode product expiration info — "use by," "sell by," "best by" — can be complicated. Truth is, some states insist on dating and some don't. And the federal government requires expiration info only on some products, including poultry and baby food. That means it's usually up to the consumer to figure out how long to hold on to a product and when to toss it. Our guidelines will help you stay safe.

    What's the oldest food product in your kitchen cabinet? Could be your spices, which people tend to hold on to for years without even thinking about it. You're unlikely to get sick from old spices, but by buying spices whole and grinding them yourself you're more likely to retain any health benefits (and flavor). Packaged cereals, which can have a long shelf life if kept tightly sealed, will probably taste better if eaten within the first six months. Canned foods can last a couple of years — but watch out for bulging ends or any signs of leaking. Most baking supplies — from oils and sugar to baking powder and cake mixes — should be tossed after 18 months.

    To keep foods fresh as long as possible, your refrigerator should be set to a temperature below 40 degrees. That should keep your milk, yogurt and eggs safe for eating even a few days past their sell-by dates (although if anything smells bad, don't take a chance). Foods rich in vitamins, like orange juice, lose their health benefits over time. Drink up within a week for the best taste and nutrients. Mark your own “eat by†dates on containers holding leftovers. That way you'll know to eat them within four to five days. And make sure to heat all leftovers thoroughly to kill any bacteria that might have grown.

    Medicines don't go bad the day after they expire, but they can start to lose strength and efficacy. That's why you should toss drugs as soon as possible and definitely within six months after the expiration date, experts say. It's also wise to get rid of any pills or capsules that are cracked, disintegrating or stuck together. Other hot spots in the bathroom: Toss your toothbrush every three months (or sooner if it's wearing out) and replace your loofah or bath sponge every two months. Get new sunscreen each year too; the protective formulas break down over time, as do moisturizers that contain antioxidants.

    Cosmetics have a surprisingly long shelf life, but you should take extra care with anything that's applied near your eyes. So, while most foundations, concealers and powders are typically good for at least a year, if you're wearing last year's mascara? No good. Because of the bacteria that can collect on the mascara wand (and get into your eyes), buy a new tube every three months and replace liquid eyeliner every three to six months, too. Make sure you clean all makeup brushes daily and replace eyedrops and contact lens solution (the bottle and what's in your contact case) regularly.
     
    #1 FloridaWen, Feb 12, 2008
  2. Rae Vynn

    Rae Vynn Artist In Residence

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    I'll interject a note concerning old medicines/prescriptions.

    Don't toss them. Take them to your doctor's office (or, any doctor office) and ask to have them disposed of.

    Flushing medications (OTC or prescription) dumps all of those toxic chemicals, hormones, and mood-altering drugs right into the water system. They don't break down at the treatment plant.

    Medical offices put all unwanted drugs into a disposal bin, which is then taken to an incinerator, where they are destroyed with less environmental impact.
     
    #2 Rae Vynn, Feb 12, 2008
  3. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    It may not be incinerated. Newer bio-waste facilities use a series of microwaves now. It's cleaner and more energy efficient. It ends up in landfill, and not the water supply, but chemicals may get through intact.

    Unless, the doctors office has a separate disposal system for chemicals. Where I work, they had the bomb squad come in to blow up some old stuff, but I don't think a local doctors' has the need for that type of waste disposal.
     
    #3 Trollbait, Feb 12, 2008
  4. Tempus

    Tempus Senior Member

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    Experts :)

    Here's another side of the story

    Drug Expiration Dates & Shelf Life

    It is our opinion, while some drugs lose their potency over time, and while some drugs can become unstable over time, drug expiration dating is primarily a successful marketing strategy used by pharmaceutical companies. It should be noted that while it is our opinion that most drugs can be used after their expiration date, there are some significant exceptions that can cause harm if used after their expiration date. Those exceptions are nitroglycerin, insulin, tetracycline, liquid antibiotics and oil capsules.

    The U.S. military conducted one of the largest potency studies ever in the 1980s. It found that 90% of the drugs it tested (they were actually tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) were safe and effective 15 years after their expiration dates.

    Bayer AG, the manufactuer of Bayer Aspirin, has a 2 year expiration date on all its aspirin. However, Bayer has tested its aspirin and found that even at 4 years it retained 100% of its potency. An independent study tested it at 5 years and still found a potency of 100%. So why the two year expiration date?

    Chris Allen, a vice president for the division that makes Bayer Aspirin states that Bayer's expiration dates are "pretty conservative". He stated that the expiration date is dictated by Bayer's packaging changes every few years.

    Francis Flaherty, a past pharmacist at the FDA states that "Manufacturers put expiration dates on for marketing, rather than scientific, reasons. It's not profitable for them to have products on a shelf for 10 years. They want turnover."

    "People think that, upon expiration, drugs suddenly turn toxic or lose all their potency," says Philip Alper, professor of medicine at University of California at San Francisco. In his own practice, Dr. Alper says, "I frequently hear -- from patients who can't afford medicine -- that they have thrown away expired drugs." He says companies should be required to test drugs for longer periods and set later expiration dates when results warrant.
     
    #4 Tempus, Feb 15, 2008
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