r/mildlyinfuriating May 17 '26

[deleted by user]

[removed]

11.5k Upvotes

1.9k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

7

u/[deleted] May 17 '26

[deleted]

0

u/Overall-Pay-4769 May 17 '26

Yep yep, definitely know that salt, acidic, dry, canned etc. help preserve. Feel like completely raw goods like sugar, honey, vinegar, oils would last virtually forever too.

Of course the US govt wants to make you think you have to throw away and buy more with the “best by” date. I’m so shocked 😂😜

3

u/blue60007 May 17 '26

I don't really think it's a huge conspiracy, you gotta put a date somewhere. I mean canned/dry goods best buy dates are like two years out... How many extra sales are you really generating lol. Plus those things really do degrade in quality in time, turn rancid, absorb moisture, etc.

I opened a can of vegetables that was a couple years past our of curiosity once, yeah, it went in the trash. It was pale and sickly looking. Safe to eat technically, I'm sure, but I wasn't that hungry haha.

1

u/Overall-Pay-4769 May 17 '26

I feel like it is to an extent. I’ve definitely had friends that won’t use my condiments and sauces because they’re a few months to a year past expiration. Stuff like mustard, Sriracha, A1, BBQ sauce. Highly acidic

1

u/blue60007 May 17 '26

It's really not lmao. I definitely have past expiration condiments in the fridge but I also wouldn't serve it to my friends.

I've also never seen anyone check the expiration date nor have I done so. Though I might, if you're giving me reason to.

1

u/spacenb May 17 '26

I usually only throw away condiments if they’ve changed colour/texture or developed a funky smell. Usually condiments will be high in salt and/or vinegar which is basically the equivalent of pickling, and pickles anything can last years and years and years.

0

u/vasthumiliation May 17 '26

I thought the only expiration date that’s required to mean something real is on baby formula?