AboutCarol Schlitt Expertise I can answer questions on home food safety, sanitation, home food preservation and commercial food safety (HACCP).
Experience I am an Extension educator, nutrition, wellness and food safety. I am a certified HACCP manager and a food safety instructor for the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Organizations International Association for Food Protection, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (Certified CFCS), National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Society for Nutrition Education.
Education/Credentials BS - University of Illinois
MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
Question Can you please tell me if there is a food safety issue with mixing containers of milk that contain different production and expiration dates? The product will be used within two days after being mixed, prior to both expiration dates.
Answer Hi Peter,
No -- there is no food safety problem mixing milks with different production and expiration dates. Commercially processed milk products have the expiration date to aid stores in rotation of their stock.
Coded expiration dates on foods are generally used to protect a company against liability related to product quality, which is not necessarily related to product safety. Most states required that milk be sold before the expiration date, however milk should remain unclabbered and safe to drink for 3-5 days after the date.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if you have further questions.
Carol C. Schlitt
Extension Educator, Nutrition and Wellness
University of Illinois Extension
