Expired formula, would anywhere take this?

[Lisa_M]

I'm just so sick with guilt over this. I was cleaning out my closet and found 10 cans of Similac powder formula. All unopened. They came from a co-worker, but DD didn't use that brand. Of course 8 cans are now expired as of June and July 2009 so the food bank won't take them, but they are all sealed.

Are they definitely bad now? Do you guys know of anywhere that might take them? I just cannot believe this. All the hungry babies and I've got this stuff just sitting here. Please don't flame me over this, I feel awful!

 

[Bren's Mom]

I personally wouldn't pass on the expired ones. Just empty them out before putting in the trash. Offer the 2 good cans on Freecycle or Craig's list for free.

And don't beat yourself up, you're human, humans make mistakes.

 

[dfchelbay]

I'd put it up for free on Craig's List. I'm sure there are financially struggling parents that would appreciate and use the formula.

 

[MariDisney]

What I'd do if I felt badly and had the means is I'd chuck the expired stuff and buy an equal (or more?) amount of new and donate it to a charity that can use it.

 

[cdrn1]

Call the manufacturer (many items have an 800#) and tell them what happened and see what they have to say. I would guess it's not a safety or nutritional issue. If they are willing to tell you, you would then feel okay about donating it. My guess is that it would be no different, or maybe a bit harder to mix...canned things stay fresh for a looooooong time.

 

[delmar411]

no one will take expired food esp formula. Period. You can't even list it on Freecycle.

Throw it away. And the manf will tell you it's ok but that's for your personal use.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Did you ask the food bank? The one at my work will take nonperishables within 6 months of the expiration dates. We don't have baby products, so can't speak specifically to that, but I think it is worth checking.

 

[msmayor]

Would you feed it to your baby? If the answer is no, then pitch it without a second thought.

 

[Juliet25]

I'd put it up for free on Craig's List. I'm sure there are financially struggling parents that would appreciate and use the formula.

Regardless of whether one is financially struggling, a baby is the #1 priority and feeding a baby expired formula is just wrong and potentially dangerous. The expiration date is there b/c the vitamins and minerals in the formula have deteriorated, and the baby will not be getting what s/he needs. There was a story in the papers last year about a baby in Florida who was admitted to the hospital b/c his parents fed him watered down formula. The balance of nutrients was off and the baby suffered (I believe) kidney damage.

OP, just throw them out. If you're feeling really guilty about it, perhaps you can buy 8 cans of formula and donate them to a shelter?

 

[Lisa_M]

What I'd do if I felt badly and had the means is I'd chuck the expired stuff and buy an equal (or more?) amount of new and donate it to a charity that can use it.

This is what I want to do, but unfortunately, DH's unemployment ran out last week with no job in sight, so I don't have the means to do that.

Would you feed it to your baby? If the answer is no, then pitch it without a second thought.

Yes I would. If I had nothing to feed my child, which is what people who go to food banks are faced with, I would feed expired formula versus nothing at all.

I ate expired Fruity Pebbles the other day and they were fine. I don't generally have food long enough to expire though.

Did you ask the food bank? The one at my work will take nonperishables within 6 months of the expiration dates. We don't have baby products, so can't speak specifically to that, but I think it is worth checking.

Their website said they don't take anything expired.

I will just throw them out and bring the 2 cans that are still good to the food bank.

 

[Lisa_M]

Just called they won't take the expired will take the 2 cans so that is what I will do.

 

[englishteacha]

An animal shelter might take the formula. Sometimes they use it to supplement the food of a sick critter. The animal shelter took all the leftover food product from my father's feeding tube set up after he passed away. It wasn't expired, but it was something no one else would/could take.

 

[msmayor]

This is what I want to do, but unfortunately, DH's unemployment ran out last week with no job in sight, so I don't have the means to do that.



Yes I would. If I had nothing to feed my child, which is what people who go to food banks are faced with, I would feed expired formula versus nothing at all.

I ate expired Fruity Pebbles the other day and they were fine. I don't generally have food long enough to expire though.



Their website said they don't take anything expired.

I will just throw them out and bring the 2 cans that are still good to the food bank.

This statement just doesn't make sense. You make it sound like its okay for food banks to take food that's expired/less than what we would necessarily feed our own families and they should be grateful because its all they can get.

Sorry...but that's wrong. A food bank that refuses to take expired food is smart enough to know that poor people are worth better than that.

The fact that YOU, an adult, ate some expired cereal and felt fine afterwards is a far, far cry from feeding expired formula to an infant who has not yet fully developed his immune and digestive system and may not tolerate it at all.

 

[Lisa_M]

This statement just doesn't make sense. You make it sound like its okay for food banks to take food that's expired/less than what we would necessarily feed our own families and they should be grateful because its all they can get.

Sorry...but that's wrong. A food bank that refuses to take expired food is smart enough to know that poor people are worth better than that.

The fact that YOU, an adult, ate some expired cereal and felt fine afterwards is a far, far cry from feeding expired formula to an infant who has not yet fully developed his immune and digestive system and may not tolerate it at all.

I'm not saying that the food bank should take it. I am simply saying if I had nothing to feed my child, which is what some families face who need food from a food bank, I would feed it my child. If it was that or starvation I would feed it to my kid. The PP asked me if I would feed it to my baby.

It's expired and not going to anyone, so just relax. No need to get worked up about it.

 

[pk1959]

An animal shelter might take the formula. Sometimes they use it to supplement the food of a sick critter. The animal shelter took all the leftover food product from my father's feeding tube set up after he passed away. It wasn't expired, but it was something no one else would/could take.

I was thinking this same thing. At least maybe call them and see if they have a use for it?

 

[Lisa_M]

I was thinking this same thing. At least maybe call them and see if they have a use for it?

I just called. They said to bring it by and they could probably use it. Thanks for the idea PK and Englishteacha.

 

[labdogs42]

I just read this on BabyCenter:

"Some of the vitamins and other nutrients found in formula degrade over time, so your baby may not get the nourishment he needs from expired formula. If you do end up with formula past its use-by date, return it to the store and request a fresh container. Most formula makers allow retailers to return unopened containers of expired formula for free replacement.
"

I wonder if you could return it and get new cans for the food bank?

 

[design_mom]

I am glad you found a place that would take the formula. I had a large unopened can of formula (bought it before we adopted DD, then she needed soy formula and I couldn't find the receipt.)

Our food bank doesn't take formula. I tried several charities that help low-income mothers and none of them would take it. (One told me they "strongly encourage" breastfeeding and feel that offering formula would discourage mothers from breastfeeding.)

Our can ended up expiring before I could find anyone to give it to.

I never thought of offering it to the animal shelter. Darn! Great idea.

 

[Lisa_M]

I just read this on BabyCenter:

"Some of the vitamins and other nutrients found in formula degrade over time, so your baby may not get the nourishment he needs from expired formula. If you do end up with formula past its use-by date, return it to the store and request a fresh container. Most formula makers allow retailers to return unopened containers of expired formula for free replacement.
"

I wonder if you could return it and get new cans for the food bank?

I won't do that because I did not purchase it and there is so much of it. That is good for the people who get a can or two and then don't use it in time or pick up an expired can from the shelf. I'm glad they will be able to use it for the animals. I also put together a box of stuff to take to the shelter from their wish list, copier paper, dawn dish soap, hand soap, garbage bags, bleach, laundry detergent and some candy for the volunteers. They always appreciate it when I bring stuff over. Someday, when we can get a dog, I know where I'm heading

 

[momxx5]

deleted