Theres a place near me that sells products with damaged packaging as well as past the sell-by date. Prices are similar to grocery shopping in the 90s, so it’s where I buy most of the shelf-stable foods I eat. I balk at grocery store prices now, and just go without until I have time to make the hour and a half (one way) trek out there. Stuff like chips/crackers are a caution item cuz the oil starts to taste bad (still edible just not good), ultra-pasteurized milk starts to separate, and sauces can taste stale depending what they are made with (acocado and olive oil bases seem to be prone to this)

But otherwise its a great way to use food that would otherwise go to waste, they get stuff from indian and asian groceries as well so I get to try a lot of stuff I’d never otherwise buy due to being wildly expensive import stuff. And it saves a ton of money. And if you buy something for $1 and it sucks, you don't feel bad throwing it away.

[–] Raiderkev@lemmy.world 2 points 6 hours ago

Grocery Outlet has lots of stuff close to the date for a fraction of the price of other stores. I love it. I get most of my dry groceries and a bit of my perishables there. So much better than any of the major chains.

[–] I_Has_A_Hat@lemmy.world 5 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

Most food safety measures are there for restaurants to prevent one-in-ten-million cases. There are so many things that people online treat as unsanitary that really aren't a big deal. Fresh cooked food doesn't magically become poison if you don't refrigerate it within 2 hours. Washing chicken in the sink or defrosting meat in a sink full of water doesn't turn your whole kitchen into a bio-hazard. Raw eggs are not 100% guaranteed salmonella bombs just waiting to contaminate anything they touch. Most household fridges are kept just a couple degrees above freezing, and can even reach freezing temps if they're far enough in the back; I promise you things like leftover pizza or casseroles will not go bad within a week.

[–] Drusas@fedia.io 4 points 9 hours ago

You don't need to wash chicken.

[–] Broadfern@lemmy.world 7 points 15 hours ago (3 children)

Only on milk. Learned that one the hard way.

Refrigerated meat (namely poultry, don’t do red meat so idk) also mostly gets tossed after the one week mark but I have a weaker immune system. Although, living in the US I don’t like eating too much meat for that same reason.

Dry goods are fine unless there’s mold or bugs.

Everything else gets the sniff test, or only goes if there’s visible mold. ¯\(ツ)/¯

[–] livligkinkajou@slrpnk.net 2 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

Even badly expired milk, like when it starts to sour and get clumps, can still useful, as you can still use them in recipes, like baking cookies and cakes

[–] JacobCoffinWrites@slrpnk.net 2 points 6 hours ago

We used to make batches of farmers cheese with spoiled milk, and I think give the whey to our tomato plants. You can also then use the cheese to make syrniki which is awesome. These days we're not buying much milk so it hasn't come up as much.

[–] foxymochakitten@slrpnk.net 4 points 13 hours ago

Same thing, I don't fuck around with milk or meat. Otherwise I try to use my best judgment. Saw someone say they threw out unopened baking powder that had expired and ngl I was a little bit horrified...

[–] nocturne@slrpnk.net 3 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

Only on milk.

Milk is usually good for at least a week after the sell by date.

[–] RebekahWSD@lemmy.world 4 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

It really varies wildly with milk, at least for me. I've had it be good for a week after the date, and sometimes it's already bad a day or two before the date. Always gotta test it!

[–] sik0fewl@piefed.ca 0 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

I’ve noticed that higher fat content seems to last longer. e.g., 2% seems to stay fresher for longer than skim.

[–] RebekahWSD@lemmy.world 4 points 6 hours ago

I only ever buy whole milk and its still so variable! I tell it whenever I put it in the fridge to be good, but it does not listen.

[–] DarrinBrunner@lemmy.world 6 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

I don't even look at the date.

[–] schmorpel@slrpnk.net 8 points 14 hours ago

Smell, fuzziness, colour, texture. And also guts of steel and an unholy track record of dumpster diving and self sufficiency - I had to learn how to trust my senses.