ATD: Have These Cookies Expired?

Question:

My husband bought what he needed to go on the cookie diet months ago and has not done the diet. I now have a huge box of cookies sitting at home (in the A/C) and I need to lose 15 pounds, so I’m thinking about using them. They taste fine, but say “Best by June 28 and June 29th”. Are they expired? –Thanks, Ann

Answer:

Dear Ann,

Since they say “best by” and not “use before” or “use by” they should not pose any health problem for you to consume. People rarely get sick from eating non-perishable packaged items well past the recommended date (cereals, cookies, crackers, etc.) They may get a bit soft or stale tasting, but won’t make you sick. Generally, if a food doesn’t need to be refrigerated (like meat products); it’s not canned (bulging cans can be harboring seriously dangerous bacteria), and it’s not growing mold (like breads do after a while), I would feel safe eating it.

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