Should expired dry foods, such as macaroni, cake mixes, etc., be marked as a violation?
The expiration dates on packaged dry foods are voluntarily provided by the manufacturers. Code dates are useful for rotating product to prevent insect infestations. Often quality characteristics such as changes in flavor, color, or consistency are the basis for code dating, rather than safety concerns. A violation shouldn’t be marked for exceeding a voluntary expiration date unless the product is deemed unsafe, adulterated, or otherwise unfit for consumption.
