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Buyer Beware: It's Legal For Stores To Sell Expired Food in NC

The only items not allowed to be sold past expiration are baby formula and over-the-counter drugs.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Have you ever cleaned out your pantry and realized you have expired food in there from months or maybe even years ago? 

Yes, that's gross, but you certainly wouldn't eat it. So, why are expired foods popping up on dollar store shelves in North Carolina?

First, you need to know Dollar Tree and Family Dollar just paid a million-dollar settlement for expired over-the-counter drugs. Now, Readers Digest is warning customers that the stores could also be selling expired food.

RELATED: FDA issues warning to Dollar Tree for receiving 'potentially unsafe drugs'

We went to the Dollar Tree near the WFMY News 2 station, and found a jar of pickles with a best-buy date of October 9th, 2019 - over a whole month ago!

But, the store won't face any consequences for selling the item. In North Carolina, it's legal to sell expired food items.

The only two items stores can't sell - if expired - are baby formula and over-the-counter drugs.

So, when it comes to dairy, meat, eggs, or any other type of food, it's a matter of buyer beware.

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