What is the proper response if you find a food that has passed its expiration date?

Choosing to discard food that has passed its expiration date is the safest response to mitigate the risk of foodborne illness. Expiration dates are set to ensure that food is consumed while it is still safe and at its best quality. After this date, the food may not only lose flavor and nutritional value but also pose health risks due to the potential growth of harmful bacteria or pathogens.

Using food that looks fine can be misleading, as visual inspection alone does not guarantee the safety of the product. Similarly, donating expired food is not appropriate since food banks and charitable organizations typically have strict guidelines to ensure the safety of the food they distribute. Cooking expired food may reduce some pathogens, but it does not eliminate all risks associated with consumption beyond the expiration date. Therefore, immediate disposal is the most responsible and health-conscious action to take.