You shop for the best values for your family – you check for sales, use double coupons, compare unit prices, and pick out the freshest produce.
But do you make this crucial mistake that could affect your pocket book, and even the health of your family?
Many shoppers simply fail to check the expiration dates of the items they place in their shopping cart. We trust our supermarkets not to sell expired items. It appears that, in many cases, this trust may be misplaced.
Consumer Reports sent mystery shoppers to 31 supermarkets and supercenters in seven states. They found 72 items that were for sale after their sell-by dates. These items included yogurt, cold cuts, hot dogs, ground meat, and juice.
An investigation by NY State Attorney Generals Office found that more than 50% of CVS drug stores and 43% of Rite Aid drug stores sold expired products including milk, eggs, and baby formula. Worse yet, many of these stores were also selling expired over-the-counter medications!
Its more important than ever to check the expiration dates and sell-by dates of the products you place in your shopping cart. There’s nothing worse than getting a product home and having it spoil shortly after you place it the fridge. Certain expired products could even make your family sick.
In addition to checking for expired products, watch for items that are near their expiration date or near their sell-by date. You want the freshest products possible.
Often the products with the best expiration dates are located farther away from the shopper, behind the older items on the shelf. Pay particular attention to products on sale, as store sales can be convenient ways for supermarkets to dump old stock.
By looking for the products with the best expiration dates, you can ensure that your family is eating healthy food and that you’re getting the best value for your dollar.
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