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How close the expiration date is matters. Let's say the snack bars come in a package of 10 and the expiration date is 2 days from now. Do you want to be forced

How close the expiration date is matters. Let's say the snack bars come in a package of 10 and the expiration date is 2 days from now. Do you want to be forced choose between eat 5 bars a day or throwing some of them out? If the alternative is to buy them from some other source that will give you a package that doesn't expire for 2 months (for the same price, all other things being equal, etc.), then that is indeed a more attractive offer.

tzs 7y ago
> Let's say the snack bars come in a package of 10 and the expiration date is 2 days from now. Do you want to be forced choose between eat 5 bars a day or throwing some of them out? With the exception of infant formula, the dates on food products are not expiration dates. They are sell-by, use-by, or best-by dates. Sell-by dates tell when the store should remove the product. If you buy the item by then, and consume it at a normal rate, it should be fine. Use-by and best-by dates are when the item is at peak quality or flavor. It doesn't go bad right after those dates--it just isn't as good. For items like snack bars, it is probably a sell-by date. Use-by and best-by dates are more appropriate for items that spoil fairly rapidly, or that are reasonably freshly made. A 10 pack of snack bars with a sell-by date 2 days in the future should be no problem. Infant formula has separate labeling rules. It does give the date after which you should not use it.
- FireBeyond 7y ago
  I'm not paying full retail price for the "just isn't as good", "should be fine" variant.
shalmanese 7y ago
Most things don't actually come with expiration dates, they come with best sold by dates which is the manufacturer's estimate that it will last at least as long after that date at a regular rate of consumption to be entirely consumed. Even then, the dates are usually pretty conservative. Thus, even if you're receive it 2 days from that date, you should still have enough time to eat them at your leisure and still be fine.

tzs 7y ago

> Let's say the snack bars come in a package of 10 and the expiration date is 2 days from now. Do you want to be forced choose between eat 5 bars a day or throwing some of them out? With the exception of infant formula, the dates on food products are not expiration dates. They are sell-by, use-by, or best-by dates. Sell-by dates tell when the store should remove the product. If you buy the item by then, and consume it at a normal rate, it should be fine. Use-by and best-by dates are when the item is at peak quality or flavor. It doesn't go bad right after those dates--it just isn't as good. For items like snack bars, it is probably a sell-by date. Use-by and best-by dates are more appropriate for items that spoil fairly rapidly, or that are reasonably freshly made. A 10 pack of snack bars with a sell-by date 2 days in the future should be no problem. Infant formula has separate labeling rules. It does give the date after which you should not use it.

FireBeyond 7y ago
I'm not paying full retail price for the "just isn't as good", "should be fine" variant.

shalmanese 7y ago

Most things don't actually come with expiration dates, they come with best sold by dates which is the manufacturer's estimate that it will last at least as long after that date at a regular rate of consumption to be entirely consumed. Even then, the dates are usually pretty conservative. Thus, even if you're receive it 2 days from that date, you should still have enough time to eat them at your leisure and still be fine.