Why Did My Walmart Change The 'Use By' Date On My Beef?

What’s a grocery store to do when an expensive piece of beef goes unsold by the time it’s reached its “Use/Freeze By” date? Consumerist reader William believes he caught his Walmart simply slapping a new sticker with a new date on top of the old one.

Last Saturday, William went to Walmart and paid $31.19 for a 15 lb. beef brisket, but…

Once I arrived home I noticed there was a second label barely visible underneath the top one. I carefully removed the top label and noticed it was for the exact same weight and price. The original “USE/FREEZE BY” date was 9/19/11. The beef was then re-labeled with a “USE/FREEZE BY” date of 9/30/11.

I attempted to contact the store manager; however, I was told to leave a message and they would get back to me. I haven’t heard anything yet.

We know that a number of you work at, or have worked at, supermarkets. Perhaps there is a not-as-icky reason the store might have done this? If so, feel free to share in the comments.