What should you do with food that exceeds its "use by" date?

The best practice when dealing with food that exceeds its "use by" date is to discard it to prevent foodborne illness. The "use by" date is specifically determined by food manufacturers to ensure safety and quality. Consuming food past this date could pose a risk, as the food may have begun to deteriorate or develop harmful bacteria that are not detectable by smell, taste, or appearance.

Simply cooking the food, giving it away, or storing it may not mitigate these risks. For instance, cooking can kill some types of bacteria but not all can be eliminated, especially if toxins have already formed. Additionally, giving expired food away still poses a risk to others, and storing it carries the same risk of contamination. Therefore, the safest action is disposal to maintain food safety standards.