# So when will these things expire?  Ever?!

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-will-these-things-expire-ever/62559>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 19, 2001, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-will-these-things-expire-ever/62559 "2001-04-19T16:15:53Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2001, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-will-these-things-expire-ever/62559/1 "2001-04-19T16:15:53Z")

</div>

When will my little packets of mustard,ketchup, mayo and relish that sit patiently in my desk drawer eventually expire?

Will they “go bad”, bust out of my drawer and terrorize the neighborhood? Or are they sealed so nicley and completely that they are preserved indefinitely?

I see no date of packing, and I see no expiration dates.

And, if they do go bad, how will we ever know? These things are everywhere, so how to tell the good, the bad and the ugly?

What gives?

And, if you want to tell me that they never go bad, I’ve got a seven year old pack of mayonaisse I would like to see you spread on your favorite sammich. I’ve lugged this packet of mayo around from desk to desk for about seven years, and I’d like to see it consumed.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Louie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c68b51/32.png) [@Louie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Louie)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2001, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-will-these-things-expire-ever/62559/2 "2001-04-21T05:39:28Z")

</div>

I know from experience that the ketchup in ketchup packets will have a cream cheese flavor to it after it has been kept for more than a year.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-will-these-things-expire-ever/62559/3 "2001-04-25T17:55:46Z")

</div>

Hey, SDMBers! That’s it? No answer?! This is one of those great mysteries that goes unsolved? We’re stumped by little packets (is that redundant?) of ketchup, mustard and mayo?

The Straight Dope got licked by lunchmeat condiments!?

I must turn to the Big Guy and his staff? Gasp!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-will-these-things-expire-ever/62559/4 "2001-04-25T19:01:40Z")

</div>

At [heinz.com](http://heinz.com), I found this:

> [@](#):
>
> 1. What is the difference between the “Best When Used By” date and the expiration date on a Heinz product?
> 
> The “Best When Used By” date on our products is designed as a guide for retail stores and consumers to assist with proper stock rotation. While we recommend consuming the product prior to this date, it does not mean the product is inedible after the date. As long as the safety seal on the product is intact, the contents will be commercially sterile and safe to use.

It doesn’t really answer the question of packets though. I’ll keep looking.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sethdallob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@sethdallob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sethdallob)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-will-these-things-expire-ever/62559/5 "2001-04-25T20:18:57Z")

</div>

[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=53085](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=53085)

There are other similar ones - do a search for ‘ketchup packet’…