I remember most of the time to check the expiration dates and “Best By” dates when I purchase things from stores, and have even gotten MSO in the habit (most of the time) of doing this. My bitch this time is about those dates or rather the stores that have old damn products.
Had to make an unexpected run to Safeway last night for some chicken broth. Subsequent to picking up many things other than the chicken broth, found the aisle with the broth.
I was going to try the vegetable broth that Swanson has but would you believe I saw a box with a “Best By” date for Nov 2007?! There were some others with Mar 2008. So I ended up getting the Swanson Certified Organic Chicken Broth instead. It’s “99% fat-free, with no MSG and has one-third less sodium than regular Swanson Chicken broth.” Yeah you can roll your eyes now. 
Another store that I have found MANY products past their expiration dates and “Best By” dates is Down to Earth. With all those people working the aisles EVERY time I go to the store (and in my way), you’d think they wouldn’t have old products on the shelves. Oh, and their items may have a sale price at the shelf but may not get rung up as such. Got burned recently with that but I was in too much of a rush to go back. Tsk, tsk. When is Whole Foods coming? 
Be aware.
I once bought a box of cereal from Safeway about a month ago and realized when I cracked it open the following morning that the “Best By” date was 11/07. Yikes!
Not only was I annoyed by the lack of quality control on their part but just as much by having to make another trip there just to return the damn box and not being able to eat my cereal that morning either.
So inconvenient to have to go back! And that’s if you ever do go back.
Yes, there has got to be better control. Lifestylin’ stores should not be as important as providing fresh products. A lot of times the produce in the organic section sucks so bad too. OK, I’m done for now. 