To Eat or Not To Eat: Do Food Expiration Dates Really Matter?
Last month, Diane Goodman and her daughter Amanda purchased some baby food from the C-Market store in the Bronx. To Amanda's surprise when she went to feed her son, she noticed that the baby food was expired by ALMOST A YEAR.
The sample Diane and her daughter purchased as well the samples WPIX obtained through the use of a hidden camera, had been expired since February and April of 2008.
The Goodman's quickly contacted Gerber. Gerber explained to Diane that they would look into the situation. Diane also called 311, where she was transferred to the New York State Food and Agriculture Department. She was told that the store wasn't breaking any laws because there is no law for expired baby food.
We contacted the New York State Dept. Of Agriculture and Markets and they confirmed this,
"New York State does not require the use of expiration dates on food products, including baby food. However, FDA requires baby formula to have a posted expiration date. Expiration dates or sell-by dates on food are typically used as a management tool to ensure proper stock rotation and food quality, and do not dictate whether food is safe to consume."
The NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets further explained that for most foods, it may not be the length of time that makes a product unwholesome, rather how the product is stored.
For example, a pound of hamburger may have an expiration date of 1-1-09. If that product was set out on the counter for 48 hours, it probably would no be safe to consume, even though it was consumed before its expiration date. However, if that pound of hamburger was frozen and consumed on 2-1-09, it would be safe to eat even though it was a month after its expiration date.
Shelf-stable products, like canned goods, are still safe to consume after a sell-by date, however the quality of the product may start to degrade. Examples: In the case of peanut butter, the oil may separate. Canned vegetables may become mealy.
The best way to protect yourself is to READ LABELS CAREFULLY when purchasing food.
Explanation of some food labeling:
* 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.
Comments: 20
The women are absolutely correct about the spoiled and or expired food. During the summer, several items were purchased numerous items from that supermarket; almost all of it was thrown away due to it having a bleached, washed smell or taste.
The women profiled are absolutely correct; we also purchased items from that supermarket and had to throw it all away because all of the items had some type of bleached, soap taste or smell.
You bunch of idiots! Gerber was called on this issue & they confirmed that these were production dates. That's why their rep did not pull it out. On the bleach y smell, if you were intelligent enough, you would know that the USDA requires that the store uses sanitizers to clean the meat & produce department so you don't get your loud tongue sick!!!
This is ridiculous. I have bought from this company's stores for over 18 years now, and never had any problems. I have never seen any expired food or unsanitary conditions at this store. Honestly, this airing makes me lose confidence in watching Help Me Howard; it really makes Howard lose credibility. This almost makes me want to get Geraldo to investigate Howard.
SHAME SHAME SHAME on HOWARD THOMPSON!
SHAME SHAME SHAME on HOWARD THOMPSON!
Shame Shame Shame on you Howard!
I've a suggestion for "FU". You leave your name and address and the next time, if, I buy poultry or meat that tastes like it's been washed or soaked in vinegar and salt to rid it of it's decay or decomposition, I'll deliver it to your place and you can eat it.
Ok, so these two women need to shut up because I have been shopping at this store since they opened it 7 years ago, and never had a problem. Everything seems to be in great order all the time. The staff is friendly. And a comment to NG, um, if you were intelligent enough, you would know that the USDA requires that the store uses sanitizers to clean the meat & produce department, so the meat wont make you sick. So think about that. Also, if you packed the meat with those types of materials, it will adopt the taste. I have shopped in this company's stores for over 15 years and 7 years in this specific store, so continue with the good work.
Ok, so these two women need to shut up because I have been shopping at this store since they opened it 7 years ago, and never had a problem. Everything seems to be in great order all the time. The staff is friendly. And a comment to NG, um, if you were intelligent enough, you would know that the USDA requires that the store uses sanitizers to clean the meat & produce department, so the meat wont make you sick. So think about that. Also, if you packed the meat with those types of materials, it will adopt the taste. I have shopped in this company's stores for over 15 years and 7 years in this specific store, so continue with the good work.
Hey Howard, you need help from yourself because this report was very one sided, and you made it seem as if the store had all the fault. Also, the comment you made about the store not allowing the ladies to cash their son's welfare check, I think it's wrong. Why don't you find out the truth about that. In other words, you think there was something else to this?? Why didn't you talk to the management about what may have happened. Really. I think you have lost credibility in your style. Shame Shame Shame on you Mr. Howard.
I'm going to have to agree with the store on this one. I have been shopping at this store for years and have never had a problem with meat, dairy or any other item. I also note that the store mgr interviewed in the video confirmed that it was Gerber's responsibity to check expiration dates and stock the shelves with their products.
I think this story would have been a little more credible without the mention of the customers and the store.
Howard should have taken the opportunity to teach people how to CORRECTLY read food expiration and nutritional fact labels without boring us with testimonials that can't be proved. I think reading nutritional fact labels may be more IMPORTANT in light of the increasing epidemic of OBESITY (as seen in the clip!), Diabetes, Heart failure/disorders, etc. which are killing more and more people every day!!!
Guys forgive Howard for airing this stupidity. He was only trying to grant a last wish of appearing on TV before these fatties died of clogged arteries...Plus we all know that food was for them and not babies...
Then you haven't been shopping at the store. Ever since the name change from Met to C(hristian) Market, many people, not just myself or the family profiled, have had some problem with product either being expired or just not tasting right.
Well Mr. NG. I once did have a small issue(not date related) and the manager being human admitted that it was an oversight from one of his employees and he was very apologetic & resolved the issue. Your only intent is to embarrass the local store where I shop. As you suggested, I do feed their meat to my family but I don't store near detergent in my house and I practice hygiene at home as well so that I don't have to blame the store. If this store closes down, I would like to see those obese girls walking further for their groceries. Then again, I guess that would be 'good for them.'
I would hate to see the store close too. However, if they're using detergent to clean poultry or meat as you seem to have implied, then the store should be closed down and the owners arrested.
Because poisoning people is not very christian, is it?
I don't work for this store, but I've worked at a supermarket for several years now and it is true that the USDA requires the use of sanitizers to clean the meat DEPARTMENT and produce DEPARTMENT -That is the tables and surrounding areas...no detergent goes into the meat, that's ridiculous. I'm sure that's what the comments above were referring to. Also, if anyone has a problem why don't you speak to the owners...I know them (brothers) personally and they're great people who would love to help you...I thought Howard was usually used as a last resort when there was no other help...but i guess not....and it could very well be a vendetta because of WIC checks...many people in my store also leave very unhappy when they realize we follow the laws of NY and don't allow them to just take whatever they want with their very specific WIC checks...most of these people try to call police or file complaints against the store when they're wrong. So I wouldn't doubt it.
RE: Cashing child welfare checks. NY employs a EBT system (Electronic Benefit Transfer) system that works like a credit card. Benefits are transferred to an account and then the consumer uses their EBT card to access these credits for food products.
very helpful keep up the good work
All I GOT TO SAY IS THAT GOODMAN IS A GOOD-MAN... HE WORKS THE WAY IT NEEDS TO BE WORKED... EVENTHOUGH THIS DUDE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HE WAS SAYING LOL (LAUGHTING OUT LOUD!!!)