Exploring Expired Food and Drink: A Personal Journey and Insights for Food Safety

I suppose you could argue that it’s my Social Security card I’ve had it since I was a young teenager over 45 years ago. It will presumably expire when I do. This card, though, is the oldest item I have, and unlike the contents mentioned here, it’s not meant to be consumed.

However, when it comes to food and drink, my story takes an interesting turn. Unlike my Social Security card, these items are frequently consumed, yet they often surpass their expiration dates. I run my church’s food bank, and since it’s illegal to give expired food to clients, I bring it home for personal consumption. Almost everything I eat is expired food bank food, surprising many unaware of the lore of post-expiration edibles.

Personal Encounters with Expired Food

A can of 2 1/2-year-old post-expiry soup is one of the notable items. I have encountered this frequently while running our food bank. Even though it’s illegal to give expired food to clients, the can is still safe to consume. While most items are safely stored, some do end up in my home pantry, and I have developed a unique taste for these post-expiration edibles.

I normally do not eat anything past the expiration date, mostly within a few weeks. Recently, I saved a bottle of beet juice that I bought on sale and was dreading drinking. The date on the bottle was Best by 10/2020. When I opened it, it was not as bad as I expected and didn’t make me sick. I believe airtight packaging does wonders at preserving the contents inside, even when the expiration date has passed by.

Rare Experiences with Expired Spam and Hot Chili

One of the rarest experiences I remember is a can of Hrmel Hot Chili with Beans that was marked as expiring in Aug 2004, yet I consumed it sometime in 2019. The sides and ends of the can were not bulged, and there were no signs of corrosion or leakage. Since it was stored in a dark pantry, it stayed in good condition, and despite being a bit blander than expected, it was safe to eat.

The most interesting experience was with a can of spam that was 3 years past expiration. To my surprise, it was delicious. This experience highlights the importance of proper handling and storage in preserving food quality beyond the expiration date.

The Special Place of a Barbie Doll in My Life

Apart from expired food, I have another item that is dear to my heart. A Barbie doll, my first love, was purchased by my parents when I was in Grade 3. It is a special keepsake I have cherished over the years. Even though it’s old, I love Barbie dolls a lot and haven’t thrown it away. It’s always special to me, especially at night when I sleep with the doll. Sometimes, I share my feelings with it, which makes it a constant source of comfort and joy.

My experiences with expired food and the cherished Barbie doll not only provide personal insights but also serve as a reminder of the importance of food safety and personal attachments in our lives, respectively.