Hilariously best by dates aren’t actually enforced by any agency or department so I don’t believe anyone is legally obligated to discard it. The dates are a best guess by manufacturers, the determination if something is actually spoiled is up to the end user.
It’s the difference between “I bought frozen peas that expire in 6 months and they’re all freezer burned - I want a refund!” And “the frozen peas I forgot about that expired 2 years ago are freezer burned - I want a refund!” One of them is more likely to get their money back than the other.
Also the quality of certain canned foods deteriorates after a time. Some things get mushy or the color changes weirdly that make it unappetizing, so dates can be a good reference. That said, I’ve been utilizing food banks for the last 25+ years. Expiration dates don’t scare me, but they do inform.
But who determines if it’s expired? Obviously if they’re a resteraunt they have their own guidelines in order to adhere to the heath department, but what happens to goods with no best by date? The most I could see happening to an establishment is the being compelled to void the transaction or replace the item under some kind of anti scam ordinance.
Hilariously best by dates aren’t actually enforced by any agency or department so I don’t believe anyone is legally obligated to discard it. The dates are a best guess by manufacturers, the determination if something is actually spoiled is up to the end user.
If anything it’s more of a quality control thing.
It’s the difference between “I bought frozen peas that expire in 6 months and they’re all freezer burned - I want a refund!” And “the frozen peas I forgot about that expired 2 years ago are freezer burned - I want a refund!” One of them is more likely to get their money back than the other.
Also the quality of certain canned foods deteriorates after a time. Some things get mushy or the color changes weirdly that make it unappetizing, so dates can be a good reference. That said, I’ve been utilizing food banks for the last 25+ years. Expiration dates don’t scare me, but they do inform.
It could be a liability thing though. An organization that sells expired product might be in for bigger judgements if something does happen.
But who determines if it’s expired? Obviously if they’re a resteraunt they have their own guidelines in order to adhere to the heath department, but what happens to goods with no best by date? The most I could see happening to an establishment is the being compelled to void the transaction or replace the item under some kind of anti scam ordinance.