Why do common household items (shampoo, toothpaste, medicine, etc.) have expiration dates and what happens once the expiration date passes?

Question

Why do common household items (shampoo, toothpaste, medicine, etc.) have expiration dates and what happens once the expiration date passes?

In: Other

Answer 1

Shampoo does not have an expiration date. At least, there’s no requirement. You may have some brand that’s made a choice to put one on, but it’s purely for marketing. Unless it’s one for dandruff or some other condition or if they’re making an SPF claim or another claim for actives. Then it needs one because it’s considered an OTC drug.

Source: I work for one of the largest contract manufacturers of personal care items in North America. And I write the instructions for how we fill and package the shampoo. So I need to know which ones take an expiration date.