Handling Expiration and Best-By Dates for Good360 Donations

At Good360, we occasionally receive donated products that are nearing or past their best-by or expiration dates. While retailers may classify these items as unsellable, they can still be safe and usable for some time after these dates. This guide explains the differences between best-by and expiration dates, how to handle products with these labels, and where to find expiration information when ordering from Good360.

Understanding Best-by vs. Expiration Dates

Best-by date

• The best-by date indicates the period during which a product will maintain its optimal quality (e.g., taste, aroma, texture).
• After this date, the product might lose some of its quality, but it is generally still safe to use.

Expiration date

• The expiration date indicates the point when the ingredients in a product may begin to degrade or become less effective. For example, a product like toothpaste may still be safe to use after expiration, but the fluoride may be less effective at providing protection.

How Good360 Manages Expiration Dates

• 6-month expiration rule: Good360 strives to provide products that are at least 6 months away from their expiration date. This ensures nonprofits have about 4 months to distribute the goods once they are received.
• Transparency: If the expiration or best-by dates are provided by the donor, Good360 includes this information in the product description on the online catalog.

Finding Expiration Information

• Online Catalog: When available, expiration or best-by dates are listed in the product description on the Good360 marketplace catalog.
• Upon receipt: If expiration dates are not listed online, nonprofits should check the physical products for this information once the items are received, as not all products are required to have expiration stamps.

Handling Products Near or Past Their Expiration Date

If your organization receives products that are close to or past their expiration or best-by dates:

• Check FDA guidelines: Consult the FDA recommendations to determine whether it is still safe to distribute the product. In most cases, the product is still usable but may have diminished quality or effectiveness.
• Safety first: Products nearing expiration may lose potency (e.g., medications or personal care items), but they often remain safe to use for some time after the expiration date.

Managing Donations with Varying Expiration Dates

• Multiple expiration dates: Donations from a single donor may include products with different expiration dates. If Good360 has this information, the range of expiration dates will be listed in the product description.
• Planning distribution: Nonprofits should plan to distribute products with shorter expiration windows first to minimize waste and ensure the items are used effectively.