As I was looking for the expiration date on a package of hot dogs for lunch - yes, I like hot dogs - and turning the package over and over and then rotating it and almost reaching for the magnifying glass, I finally saw the expiration date. It was printed in faint lettering on the cellophane where it was hardly legible. I think that's part of the point - comply with the letter of the law but not the spirit - don't do the consumer any favors.
I got to thinking more about this food labeling issue. We all want to eat food that is safe. That's not the question. The consistency of the information is the issue.
And by-the-way, the gallon refill of liquid hand soap has an expiration date on it. What does this mean - that it stops being soap? that it will no longer disinfect? that it won't take the dirt off anymore?
Anyway, there are at least different types of usable labels on food. There is the "sell by," "best used by," and "expiration date." Then there's the worthless label that they still put on some canned good that is just a series of numbers and letters. Totally worthless to us.
So if the store has to sell it by the 10th, how long can we keep it? The label says nothing more - only a sell by date.
If it's best used by the 12th, is it horrible on the 13th? Is it poisonous on the 20th? What is the absolute throw-it-out date?
Then the expiration date. Again, does it stop being what it is supposed to be - salad dressing, aspirin, pepper, or whatever - on that date, or is it just less good? Is it dangerous? At what point does it become so?
And will all this clarity abounding on food labeling, it's clear to see that government can run a cap and trade or health-care reform program.
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