From Newsgroup: rec.food.cooking

Seems that Al was involved with other businesses, not just booze.

Popular lore suggests Prohibition-era gangster Al Capone was responsible
for introducing expiration dates on milk bottles in the 1930s after a
family member got sick from tainted dairy. While not verified as strict history, Capone allegedly pushed for this, and potentially used his, or
his brother Ralph "Bottles" Capone's, influence to stamp dates on
products from their own dairy companies.

Key Details of the Legend
The Cause: It is believed that a member of the Capone family (often
cited as a niece or child) became ill from drinking spoiled milk,
prompting a demand for freshness assurance.

The Motive: Beyond altruism, the move was likely business-oriented.
Capone reportedly controlled dairy processing plants (like Meadowmoor
Dairies) and, through his influence, sought to dominate the Chicago milk market, using date labels to build consumer trust in his product.
The Reality: While the story is iconic, it is not 100% verified as hard
fact. However, it is well-documented that the Capone family had a
significant, intimidating presence in the Chicago dairy industry during
the 1930s.

Evolution of Milk Dating
1930s: The alleged start of voluntary or locally mandated dating in Chicago. 1970s: Expiration dates became more common as packaged food production grew. --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.food.cooking


Ed P <esp@snet.n> posted:

Seems that Al was involved with other businesses, not just booze.

Popular lore suggests Prohibition-era gangster Al Capone was responsible
for introducing expiration dates on milk bottles in the 1930s after a
family member got sick from tainted dairy. While not verified as strict history, Capone allegedly pushed for this, and potentially used his, or
his brother Ralph "Bottles" Capone's, influence to stamp dates on
products from their own dairy companies.

1970s: Expiration dates became more common as packaged food production grew.

Which is just a suggestion to protect themselves. Milk will last far
longer than that expiration date if kept _cold_ and in the back of
the refrigerator.

~
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.food.cooking

On 2026-01-28, ItsJoanNotJoAnn webtv.net <user4742@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote:

Ed P <esp@snet.n> posted:

Seems that Al was involved with other businesses, not just booze.

Popular lore suggests Prohibition-era gangster Al Capone was responsible
for introducing expiration dates on milk bottles in the 1930s after a
family member got sick from tainted dairy. While not verified as strict
history, Capone allegedly pushed for this, and potentially used his, or
his brother Ralph "Bottles" Capone's, influence to stamp dates on
products from their own dairy companies.

1970s: Expiration dates became more common as packaged food production grew.

Which is just a suggestion to protect themselves. Milk will last far
longer than that expiration date if kept _cold_ and in the back of
the refrigerator.

Not always. On January 16 I bought three gallons of milk whose
expiration date was January 26. Kept cold and in the back of the
fridge. By January 19 I was dumping them down the drain.
Obviously mishandled somewhere along the line. It surprised me
that it happened in the winter.
--
Cindy Hamilton
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.food.cooking


Cindy Hamilton <chamilton5280@invalid.com> posted:

On 2026-01-28, ItsJoanNotJoAnn webtv.net <user4742@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote:

Ed P <esp@snet.n> posted:

Seems that Al was involved with other businesses, not just booze.

Popular lore suggests Prohibition-era gangster Al Capone was responsible >> for introducing expiration dates on milk bottles in the 1930s after a
family member got sick from tainted dairy. While not verified as strict >> history, Capone allegedly pushed for this, and potentially used his, or >> his brother Ralph "Bottles" Capone's, influence to stamp dates on
products from their own dairy companies.

1970s: Expiration dates became more common as packaged food production grew.

Which is just a suggestion to protect themselves. Milk will last far longer than that expiration date if kept _cold_ and in the back of
the refrigerator.

Not always. On January 16 I bought three gallons of milk whose
expiration date was January 26. Kept cold and in the back of the
fridge. By January 19 I was dumping them down the drain.
Obviously mishandled somewhere along the line. It surprised me
that it happened in the winter.

Oh wow, that's a shame and that's a lot of milk to be dumping. Hmmmmm,
I wonder if at the plant it set out far too long or maybe the fresh milk
was mixed with large batch of soon to spoil old milk and they thought
they could salvage it?

~
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2