I use a marker to indicate the expiration month and year [eq., 5-13 for May 2013]. This helps identify products that need to be rotated out [that is, used].
Some canned/packaged items are more prone to being expiration sensitive than others.
For example, canned tomato products, saurcraut, etc., may develop a metallic taste or bad smell after long periods.
Packaged products, such as biscuit flour, may become flat as the baking power loses its rising capability over time.
Also, any can that develops bulges on the ends MUST be disposed of, as it could be contaminated due to tiny holes developing in the can.
May have been true in the 1960's, but the plastic internal coating on todays cans lasts MUCH longer than those old cans.
True that any bulging can must be destroyed in fire. No-one has seen one in recent memory around here, I just took a poll.
Things have improved since the 60's.
/johnny
for later
Later, laquer coatings were used inside to make that not happen so much.
Today, the plastic, flexible coatings mean that even dented cans don't expose the contents to direct contact with steel, except in severe conditions.
You wouldn't think that technology of cans had changed much in the last 40 years, but it has.
One piece bottoms, double rolled lids, plastic linings.
Better living through technology.
/johnny