Everything and everyone has one!
But have you ever wondered who and how these expiration dates are determined?
And the consequences of using the product after the expiration date?
Let’s first dispense with the everyone above.
I know you are not reading here for theological advice or wisdom, so I am fine accepting that only God might know when we are going to die. But what I do not understand is when someone gets very ill, believers pray to God to cure their loved one. If the person lives, they claim, “God answered our prayers.” But if the person dies, “God works in mysterious ways.”
Also, if “He/she is in a better place now,” why were you praying for God to keep them alive?
Now let’s take that bottle of Tylenol above. You will note, this bottle expired 6/19 or June of 2019. I do not know when I bought this bottle, but let’s assume it was purchased in 2017. How did they determine this medication had a two-year life expectancy?
I must assume that at some point, they started keeping ten pills on January 1st every year and on 12/31/23; they checked to see if the pills made in 2023 expired. If they determine that has NOT expired but is still unexpired, the next 12/31/24 they study pill #2, and so on. 12/31/25, they test pill #3 and determine, oh, oh, it’s expired.
The GOOD news is they now know or think that these pills are good for three years.
The BAD news is that millions of people bought these pills in 2023 and 2024, not knowing they had to throw them away at the end of 2025. Did you ever get a notice from a drug company, We are truly sorry but those pills you bought in 2023 will expire on 12/31/20235. If there are any remaining, please make certain you destroy them,”? Me neither!
There are some really smart people reading this I know, so who will give us this answer: Paul, Coop, Mary, Brian, Candy, Jill, Russ, Judith, Jeff?
Now let’s move on to the consequences of consuming something after the expiration date. Do we die? Get sick? Absolutely nothing?
Thanks for the shout out about being really smart. Most of the time I feel I border on being moronic.
I asked ChatGpt “How are expiration dates determined.” This was the response:
Expiration dates on products are determined through a combination of scientific testing, industry standards, and regulatory guidelines. The process varies depending on the type of product, but here’s how it generally works:
1. Microbiological and Stability Testing
Food Products: Manufacturers conduct microbiological tests to determine how long food can be stored before harmful bacteria or mold develop. Shelf life is also tested under different conditions, such as temperature and humidity, to see when quality degrades.
Medications: Stability testing assesses how long the active ingredients maintain their effectiveness and safety under specified storage conditions.
2. Sensory Testing
For products like food, beverages, and cosmetics, sensory testing evaluates taste, smell, texture, and appearance over time to determine when quality becomes unacceptable.
3. Packaging
The type of packaging can influence the product’s shelf life. For example, airtight or vacuum-sealed packaging can extend freshness by reducing exposure to oxygen and contaminants.
4. Regulatory Guidelines
Many industries have regulations requiring certain expiration labeling. For example, the FDA provides guidelines for drugs, medical devices, and food safety. These rules often specify testing protocols and labeling requirements.
5. Consumer Usage Patterns
Some expiration dates are based on typical consumer usage. For instance, “best by” dates on food often reflect peak quality rather than safety, while “use by” dates suggest when a product is no longer safe to consume.
6. Accelerated Aging Tests
To estimate long-term stability quickly, manufacturers use accelerated aging tests. These involve exposing the product to higher-than-normal temperatures and stresses to predict its shelf life.
7. Safety Margins
Expiration dates often include a buffer to ensure safety and quality under varying conditions of storage and use. For example, medications are typically effective for a certain period beyond the labeled expiration date, though this depends on the drug.
Types of Expiration Labels
“Sell By”: Indicates when the retailer should sell the product.
“Best By”: Suggests when the product will be at its best quality.
“Use By”: Implies the last date the product should be used for safety reasons.
“Expires On”: Typically used for medications or products where safety or efficacy is crucial.
Way too much information Frank?
Coop