Okay...dumb question, but I thought I'd tap the vast knowledge base of the TE crew...
DH likes milk in his coffee, and an occasional glass (usually chocolate) after a ride or every so often. So, he gets the 2% from the local store - store brand - in the plastic half gallon. It often has a stamped expiration date of about 5 days. Often, it goes funky before the expiration date and he gets all kinds of growly and has to dump the stinky remains down the drain.
So...at the store recently, I picked up a half gallon of organic 2% milk, and it's in a cardboard box. It had a stamped expiration date going out several weeks. And it never got funky, even tho' we don't drink tons and it lingers in the fridge for a bit. Today, DH picked up another half gallon - also organic, also in a cardboard box. It has an expiration date of June 27th!
So...what's the big difference in the stamped expiration dates??
We suspect:
1. The cardboard box allows for much longer shelf life than the plastic jug.
2. The organic manufactures have better QC and processes and handling that allows for longer times.
or
3. The store brand just has crappy QC and processes.
Thoughts? (I'm leaning towards #1).