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Posted on: May 22, 2009

Sure It's Expired … But Is it Safe?

Use-by dates on foods and medicines often go ignored by consumers, but what exactly are the risks?

By Bev Bennett
CTW Features

You probably go though your closets eliminating worn, frayed clothing, as part of your annual spring-cleaning ritual. But take a look at the contents of your kitchen cupboard and medicine cabinet as well. Although you may think you're saving money by keeping outdated foods and over-the-counter drugs you use occasionally, this isn't a good idea, according to health experts.

Out-of-date medications may not be as effective

You don't want to take a chance your painkiller won't work when you need relief, says Janet P. Engle, Professor and head of Pharmacy Practice, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Pharmacy.

Out of-date foods may be of lesser quality or worse yet, be contaminated with harmful bacteria.

Eating old food isn't worth the anxiety, says Kristen D. Welch, area coordinator, Clemson University Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, Clemson, S.C.

By following prudent guidelines, you can get the optimal benefits from foods and drugs. Start with the kitchen cabinet. Toss any cans that are dented, bulging or oozing, Welch says. Find the expiration or "use-by" dates on the labels (see sidebar on deciphering dates) and discard anything that's passed expiration.

"Don't donate the food or give it to the dog. If you don't think the food is safe for you, it's not safe for the pet either," Welch says. Move older cans forward so you use them first.

Head to the medicine cabinet. Again, examine packages for over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Make sure the medication is intact. Some products give clues to their freshness, says Paul Lofholm, clinical professor of pharmacy at the University of California, San Francisco. For example, take a sniff of the aspirin bottle.

"If it smells like vinegar, the medication is breaking down," Lofholm says. Clear liquids, such as cough syrups should remain clear. Creams shouldn't separate, he says.

Look for the expiration date (or similar date)

"It's the date the manufacturer has established that the drug has lost 10 percent of its potency," Lofholm says. Discard old OTC drugs. To maintain their potency, store drugs in a cool, dry place.

"Probably not the bathroom, where it's hot and wet," says Lofholm, who is also a practicing pharmacist. Instead of hoarding old foods and medications, take stock of your needs. Buy only as much food and drugs as you'll use before the expirations.

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How to Decipher Expiration Dates

Foods:

Most food products sport a date to help you store and use your purchase. The terms "use by", "sell by" or an expiration date are most common. The "use by" date means your product will have the best quality if you finish it by the date on the package. You're likely to see this on canned foods, says Kristen D. Welch at Clemson.

"Sell-by" tells the supermarket how long the product should be on the shelf. "Sell-by" dates are common on bread and other bakery products, Welch says. You can add on a few days for home storage. Pay more attention to expiration dates. Food eaten after the expiration date may contain harmful pathogens. For more information on food storage times, visit your local university extension service's Web site.

DRUGS:

Like foods, over-the-counter drugs include a date to tell you how long to hang on to the products (Prescription drugs should be used according to your physician's recommendations.)

You may see an expiration date or a date with a phrase saying: "Freshness and potency guaranteed through …" Use that as your guide for discarding older drugs. Take precautions when you dispose of expired drugs so you don't contaminate the environment or put children and pets at risk, say pharmacy experts.

Here are tips from Jan Engle, sent in an e-mail:

• Don't flush unused medications or pour them down the drain into the water supply.

• Use your township's service to safely dispose of drugs if available.

• Make drugs inedible if you're putting them in the trash. Mix pills with a little water so they disintegrate. Mix liquids with sawdust or flour. Then recap the bottles. Place breakable medicine bottles in small containers (such as a discarded cereal box) to prevent breaking.

Bev Bennett, a veteran food writer and editor, is the author of "Dinner for Two: A Cookbook for Couples" and "30-Minute Meals for Dummies"