> I heard about what the dates mean recently. I found this information on the Consumer Affairs Web site.
>
> Ferrick
>
> "Most people are surprised to find out that:
>
> * Stores are not legally required to remove food once the expiration date has passed. They are strictly "advisory" in nature.
> * Dating is not federally required, except for infant formula and baby food. States have varying laws. Most states require that milk and other perishables be sold before the expiration date.
>
> The major codes are:
>
> * Sell by-- Don't buy the product after this date. This is the "expiration date."
> * Best if used by-- Flavor or quality is best by this date but the product is still edible thereafter.
> * Use by-- This is the last day that the manufacturer vouches for the product's quality. "
>
>
> > > >
> > > > > Hey! Beef jerky has an expiration date. Who knew?
> > > > >
> > > > > When I was at the grocery store this weekend, I picked up some vinegar. It had an expiration date on it. Vinegar goes bad? How can you tell?
> > > > >
> > > > > -Faux "I'm no Howard" Pas

Thanks for clearing the food stuff up. I guess it is statutory. The people who did the food stuff were down the hall from me. I did stability testing, amoung other things, on non-food consumer products. We were guided mainly by the NAD, usually OSHA, and sometimes the FDA. We stood by our products when they were used as intended. Under mis-use conditions, we stood somewhere else.

Using old product was only one kind of mis-use.

When our product caused discoloration of a vinyl surface it was intended to clean, we replaced the surface in that home. But only after we could duplicate the result in the lab.

When the cold product was used on an oven door and the glass window shattered, we did not replace the entire oven and cooktop as the consumer requested. We figured they had applied a cold liquid to hot glass. Oops!

Sitting in household cleaner for a prolonged period of time can cause a "severe rash on the buttocks." We found this out because someone called to complain and ask for compensation. We joked about that one. Should we buy them a new butt, or a new brain? Personally, I don't think this happened. I think that call was from Bart Simpson.

When they used all purpose household cleaner to clean contact lenses and claimed partial vision loss..................Oops again!

When Kitty didn't like the new scent of the cat sand, we sent him a new bag of competitor's product. And lots of coupons for free other stuff.

"We" also contributed hundreds of gallons of products to clean up after a major oil spill. Not out the the kindness of "our" corporate hearts, but becuase it looked good on the news.