What should be done with food that has passed its expiration date?

Food that has passed its expiration date should be discarded to ensure safety and compliance with health regulations. Expiration dates are established based on safety standards; consuming food past this date may pose health risks due to the potential growth of harmful bacteria or degradation of quality.

While freezing food can extend its shelf life under certain conditions, it is crucial that the food has not already gone bad before freezing. Serving expired food to customers can lead to foodborne illnesses and is a violation of food safety practices. Donation to local charities typically depends on the food being within its safe consumption period, and many organizations have strict guidelines regarding the condition and expiration of food items they accept. Therefore, the safest and most responsible action is to discard any food that has exceeded its expiration date.