Discussions

Is it normal and okay for Dollarama to be selling food wayyyyy past the Best Before date?  
 
I go to Brandon maybe couple of times a year, but every time I've bought from the Dollarama, I end up with a bunch of food past expiry.  
 
Last week I was at that new Dollarama on Victoria Ave,  
Bought some Wagon Wheels cookies and a bunch of chocolate. Most the chocolate was a couple of months past it's BB date, that I am not too worried about. But the Wagon Wheels almost made me lose a tooth haha.  
Checked the packaging, BB: March 2024  
 
So if you're shopping at Dollarama, MAKE SURE TO CHECK THE BEST BEFORE AND EXPIRY DATE!

Our Liberal government in the face of high inflation and food prices told Canadians that we could ignore best before dates because they might effect flavor but would not effect safety.  
 
Just an observation of the spiraling down of everything the government is responsible for that is happening in Canada over the last 9 years.

Really? You saw the need to bring politics into this?  
According to food "experts", in particular those concerned with food waste, "Best Before" means the product will have peak flavour, texture, etc. prior to the date, not that it will harm you. Whereas, an "Expiration Date" (usually found on medication and such), means that the product is not to be used.  
I guess checking the label maybe a good idea, especially at "discount" type stores.

I’ve purchased Ruffles chip dip and Tostitos nacho dip from Dollarama that were past the best before date. I think they were 2 months past but I still ate both. Didn’t notice a difference but I don’t know if I would have purchased them had I seen the dates FIRST.  
 
Edited by Blueberry, 2025-04-12 16:45:06

usually means the date product is peaked. Like another poster above said: expiry is something different. Any dry ingredients, cured/salted, non perishable, acidic, canned, or sugar based foods will take a long long time to expire and can be consumed safely.  
Personally, I tell prospective dating clients I am almost at my best before date, but not yet expired.

I had that issue with the pop at times but I’m certainly not gonna blame the federal government for it. That comment was pathetic!

If you've had this issue in the past, and it bothers you, I would make a point of checking the dates before you purchase.  
 
Years ago, in Edmonton, I noticed some jarred goods in a small corner store that were past the BB dates and wondered if they should be selling them. When I contacted the appropriate department, I was told that those dates were more of a suggestion and it was legal for them to be sold. Not that it had any bearing, but for what it's worth, both the provincial and federal governments at the time were conservative.

Who buys items and not check expiry date or best before? Just second nature to me.  
 
If you did you then make decision to buy or not.  
 
Heads up using any type of baby foods or formula that is expired is not good.

Yes, I agree, the Liberals have made it so expired food is all over many stores now. Convenience stores, grocery stores.... people can't afford to buy the food, so it sits and sits. I hope the Conservatives win this election. Lord knows we can't take another 4 of this.

Get your head out of the sand. That comment was not "pathetic". Glad you are privileged enough to not need to worry about the grocery economy. There is lots of expired food and drinks around now. Try looking around at some dates on products. I have noticed A LOT more outdated products. Everything is sitting on the shelves longer - this is for a reason. Maybe you are like Carney - someone else buys your groceries?

This conversation is interesting and has piqued my curiosity.  
 
I can't say I've noticed any more/less cost to expiry food these days than before. Googling it is inconclusive as to whether this is a fact (anecdotal reports, but nothing more).  
 
I find it weird that it should be the case, as grocery stores would adjust what they are bringing in for inventory if people aren't buying the same quantity. But I can think of a few reasons of why there might be the appearance of more expired food:  
 
1. There's just a lot more awareness of it, as it's frequently talked about these days, so maybe we're just noticing it more.  
 
2. Stock isn't getting rotated properly, either because of lack of staff, lack of training, or because people are routing through the shelves looking for the longest date (I've been guilty of this!)  
 
It's not in the store's interesting to let things sit. They would rather discount it and sell it rather than let it take up space for things that are selling. Has any FlashFood users noticed a surge in products available?  
 
Dollar store food near expiry is common, as that's a reason why it's there. Dollar Tree, for example, I'm pretty sure buys up end lots of things and stocks them, as their offerings are constantly changing.