Is selling past-due foods legal?

Question

A store near my house sells food products that are well past the expiry date. Is this legal?

Answer 1

it is probably illegal

Answer 2

no it is illegal to sell a food past their expiration dates. The dates were mandated by the FDA to ensure holesomeness. By using this system 99% of the time the item you purchase is going to be holesom.

Now if an item is sold after the due date an exchange will be made at the grocer you bought it from with no questions asked providing you have a reciept showing the date of purchase. Accidents happen it is easy to miss a date on something.

Now if the grocer is selling the product l
knowing that they are selling an outdated item, they can and should be fined, because at this point the issue becomes a health risk to the consumer.

I am a chef by trade and do all the ordering and recieving at the restaurant at which I work, and I send stuff back no so much anymore, but when I first started at this restaurant I would recieve outdated food mostly dairy products. I sent them right back. Now that my proveyer knows that I check all my dates I get a sellable product. It is amazing what a coulple of times asking him how bad do you want my buisness, because I can take it elsewhere. He shaped up his act real quick.

Answer 3

I also have two discount stores that sell this way and like all stores that sell food, the health department inspects them and the food they sell. Yes it is leagal in my state.

The actual term "Expiration Date" refers to the last date a food should be eaten or used. Last means last -- proceed at your own risk.

"Sell by" date. tells the store how long to display the product for sale. The issue is quality of the item (freshness, taste, and consistency) rather than whether it is on the verge of spoiling. the "sell by" date is the last day the item is at its highest level of quality, but it will still be edible for some time after.
"Best if used by (or before)" date. This refers strictly to quality, not safety, best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.

"Use by" date. This is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality.

Found this small guide online, you can search by specific foods for more info:
Milk. Usually fine until a week after the "Sell By" date.
Eggs. OK for 3-5 weeks after you bring them home (assuming you bought them before the "sell by" date). VanLandingham says double-grade As will go down a grade in a week but still be perfectly edible.
Poultry and seafood. Cook or freeze this within a day or two.
Beef and pork. Cook or freeze within three to five days.
Canned goods. Highly acidic foods like tomato sauce can keep 18 months or more. Low-acid foods like canned green beans are probably risk-free for up to five years. "You do not want to put cans in a hot place like a crawl space or garage," Peggy VanLaanen, EdD, RD, a professor of food and nutrition at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, tells WebMD. She suggests keeping canned and dry food at 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in a dry, dark place. Humidity can be a factor in speeded-up deterioration. The FDA notes that taste, aroma, and appearance of food can change rapidly if the air conditioning fails in a home or warehouse. Obviously, cans bulging with bacteria growth should be discarded, no matter what the expiration

Answer 4

The sell-by date has a few extra days built in so if you buy it and don't eat it for a week or so, it won't be bad yet.

Sure, it's legal. As long as they're not hiding the expiration dates, or trying to scam you in some way, it's legal.

I've bought plenty of stuff past its "sell-by" date. As long as it's not, like, two or three weeks past, go to town. It's a lot cheaper!

Answer 5

They usually will post a sign saying that it is marked down and that it is safe past the expiration date.

Answer 6

No, it is not legal! Contact your local health department and turn them in. Expired foods can be very toxic!

Answer 7

I think it goes under the heading buyer beware, but I could be wrong.
Call the local health department

Answer 8

I don't its illegal but I would call the board oh heath .