Essentially when I'm am at Coles/WW, before placing any item into the trolley I always check the dates and ensure I get the item with the longest expiry. This is especially more for milk where usually the earliest expiry is at the front so I'll always have to reach to the back of the shelf to get the later expiry.
Does anyone else do this or is it just me?
There are many of us
we will not compromise
Depends on exactly what it is. Having worked for Woolies for almost 15 years, I know what expiry dates matter the most.
Products I always check:
Yakult, Milk,Yogurt, Bread (If I am not freezing it), Meats such as steaks, chicken breast (Again if not freezing).
Most Grocery, Longlife products have a good shelf life but sometimes an odd one finds it way to the front with a crap date so yeah its imperative to check to be honest.
You buy meat and chicken from woolworths and refreeze? But it is already frozen then defrosted (sometimes it's still frozen on the refrigerated shelf) won't that reduce the quality?
Then again I suppose buying meat and chicken from woolworths quality is not a concern?
Who told you this?
Nobody. I have bought and returned meat and chicken multiple times at woolworths because they were mostly frozen with only part of the outside layer defrosted.
Unless that happens to my local woolworths only? I have not checked other woolworths to be sure it happens at all locations.
@ValuexHunter: Weird, comes off the same truck as the frozen stuff but then wheeled into seperate coolrooms.
Frozen to Freezer, Meat & Perishables to either Meat fridge or Perishable fridge. (Depending on room).
Never have I seen a chicken load or meat load frozen. Always fresh:)
I see your point in that regard but it might just bad luck in that instance at your Woolies??
@iNeed2Pee: It has happened multiple times which made me stop shopping at woolies so I doubt it's just bad luck, maybe just a bad location.
@ValuexHunter: 100% bad location. Id tell the sm, maybe the fridges are not temp checked somewhere in the cycle.
I mostly buy my chicken breast or meat from the butcher, but sometimes I do buy from Woolies when I am a rush tho.
What? I’m certain the chicken supplier bracket )Ingham or Steggles maybe) would be very interested in the information if its true. I doubt it’s true but.
I worked for a company that supplied fresh refrigerated product to Woolworths years ago and every truck load that we sent had temperature loggers attached to the load at a number of spots.
We could monitor these in real time if needed but we always reviewed the full dataset for every delivery.
At the time this was a condition that had to be met to continue supplying to Woolworths.
@Grunntt: I got some turkey legs at a local woliies some years back, got home opened packet which was well in date stunk . Off like a racehorse, went back saw manager, she said that fridge is troublesome etc here have a fresh shipment replacement straight off the truck, went home they were almost off. Rang her and said so she did investigate got back to me weeks later faulty fridge on truck according to the log as you say, Steggles were not happy campers it seems.
The only place you may find meat that has been frozen and defrosted is the deli and they will have that information on the item so you don't refreeze.
I check and get a better date
I always get the freshest option. Eggs, milk, bread, even Doritos and what not if there are options. I freeze my bread so the fresher it is when I freeze it the better it will be when I defrost a slice.
bread freezer here too
yes u are nuts who does that
we all look for one that is over due today.
we all live on the edge
lets make shopping exciting again
Mad max, shopping trip edition, coming to your local shopping centre near you!
I double down and leave them out of the fridge for a few extra hours.
Needs a poll
FWIW, I always check the expiry date unless it's something long term like biscuits or chocolate. Instant noodles in Asian grocery stores, while long term, I always check the expiry date
Poll.
I reach to the back and get the longest dates.
This is what I do as well. Been doing it for decades.
Yeah I’d say >50% off people, or at least OzBargainers do this
Absolutely.
Especially bread and milk.
get the item with the longest expiry
The opposite for me, i check and pick one with shortest and go to counter to complain / ask for discount.
Ozb for the win
mould discounts ftw!
Sometimes the longest expiry is at the front not the back. Some shelf stackers are lazy.
i always check expiry date
always check expiry…always.
can we actually name something that may be one of a kind or rare?
my friend rotates all items to show where they are made ( trying to promote aussie made)
my wife likes to fix up items on shelves and also help with due dates (move later ones further back)
i like to check bottles to make sure they havent been opened or tampered with (like juice and milk). i twist it slightly to make sure the tab is still on it
You're offering a valuable social service.
I dig into the back for the 5 day bread
do this for milk & chicken all the time…tunnel method
All the time, same price, choice is mine to pick the freshest and newest.
Seeing most of the comments above, we’re got competition.
longest date milk ftw
You're weird mate.
youre weird..who doesnt?
yes… do it on milk, yoghurt, cheese, poultry, meats, pizza, dips etc
Definitely gotta do this. Esp with stuff like rocket or baby spinach!!! I fish around to find out with a longer expiry
dont buy pre-packed!
coles prepacked baby spinach is priced at $33+ /kg!!!
Since I started buying from my local fruit/veg store I finally realised how long fresh food actually lasts.
Colesworths seem to deteriorate from the moment you walk in your front door - the 'real' fresh produce last soooo much longer.
Since changing my buying habits I find I do not need to discard any food because it has aged rapidly once out of the coolroom.
I actually buy more per shop as I don't need to worry about so much wastage.
and why on earth would you think you are the only one.???
Because when they ask (out loud) there is an echo, echo… echo…
Short answer no. Longer answer nooooooooo.
loooooooool.
I always check dates not just from getting the freshest point of view but in case i dont use it as quickly as i plan. Also if staff are slack and dont rotate you could get a item close to or out of date.
For meat and milk….yes.
Get meat/chicken from a good butcher.
Fish from fish markets. it's fresh
get milk, yoghurt, cream from a farmer.
fruit veg herbs from a farmer
All other ingredients from a bulk buy store.
Cannot remember last time I looked at a use by date.
I always check. Whoever doesn't check needs to learn how to shop.
Always get the longest date for Milk, yogurt, meat and Salad everything else i dont bother
I doubt you're the only one.