Non-prescription drug expiration date are roughly 5 years or longer.

Expiration dates on food are a way of indicating when a food will no longer retain its freshness, flavor and texture. Though expiration dates on food are not required by federal law, except on infant formula, they provide information on the best quality and safety of the product. Generally, most perishable foods are good beyond the “sell by” or “use by” date stamped on them.

In addition to expiration dates on food, federal law requires expiration dates to be printed on all prescription drugs and non-prescription drugs. The expiration date for prescription drugs indicates how long the manufacturer can guarantee its safety and effectiveness based on its own internal testing. On the other hand, expiration dates for non-prescription drugs are generally 5 years or longer. Though this information can provide customers with some insight regarding the shelf-life of products, it is important to note that expiration dates may be based on a manufacturer’s own testing, and do not necessarily reflect the length of time it is safe to consume or use the product.

To determine the freshness and safety of a food product, it is important to observe the general shelf-life guidelines provided, practice proper storage techniques to preserve freshness, and know the signs of spoilage. However, trying to abide by an expiration date may not always be possible because, often times, products are only stamped with a “sell by” or “best used by” date rather than an expiration date. Therefore, extra caution should be taken when consuming or using a product that has been beyond either of these dates.

Ultimately, it is important to remember that expiration dates can be a useful guide for purchasing and consuming food and drug products, but it is up to the consumer to be aware of product shelf-life and practice proper storage to ensure the safety, freshness and quality of the product.