ADVERTISEMENT
Food #2: Expired-Adjacent Dairy Products
Milk, yogurt, and cheese seem safe—but expiration dates matter.
What Employees Know
- Dairy close to expiration is often front-loaded
- Older stock may be hidden behind newer items
- Discounted dairy is usually discounted for a reason
While some dairy lasts past its date, temperature fluctuations shorten shelf life.
Hidden Risk
Repeated warming and cooling:
- Degrades quality
- Encourages spoilage
- Alters taste
Employees often avoid:
- Discount dairy bins
- “Manager’s special” milk
Food #1: Discounted Ground Meat (Avoid Even at Deep Discounts)
This is the one employees warn about the most.
Why Ground Meat Is the Biggest Risk
Ground meat:
- Has more surface area
- Spoils faster than whole cuts
- Shows signs later than it smells
When ground meat is discounted, it’s often because:
- Color is changing
- Sell-by date is imminent
- It’s been repackaged
The Repackaging Reality
Some stores:
- Re-grind meat nearing expiration
- Repackage it with a new label
- Mask age with seasoning
While legal in some regions, this practice raises quality concerns.
ADVERTISEMENT
