We lived for years with no dates on our foods. Personally, I think it's a good way for waste and selling more food. Grant you chips, crackers and bagged snacks can age and taste stale, fresh only lasts so long. But canned, boxed and frozen last a long time. Frozen, especially if it is done in one of the seal a meals and kept in a 0 degree freezer. I keep my cake and pancake mixes in the refrigerator.