OK till they ELIMINATED expiration date

Full Review
My experience up to now has been good. Order has been shipped correctly, speedy and with fair prices and low shipping cost.
Presently they decided to TAKE OUT THE EXPIRATION DATE from their products and add the manufacturing date. This is damaging to customers that now have no way of knowing if product is expired and could be consuming an expired  product that can be dangerous to their health. I have stopped buying their products and are buying brand names that do list the expiration date on their product to avoid consuming an outdated product that can be dangerous to my health such as fish oils.

Swanson's new policy to eliminate the expiration date on their products is a direct attack on the loyal customers, that are now left in the dark not knowing when to eliminate the product. Also this can be dangerous to their health because many will take outdated products that can create problems in their bodies. For example fish oil products can become rancid with age with considerable damage to a persons health if consumed.   I for one, together with our total health club (50 persons) have stopped buying Swanson's  products  and are buying brand name products which do not follow Swanson's policy and very clearly POST THE EXPIRATION DATE!.

   In a phone conversation with two of Swanson's health techs when I asked the life of their products I was given two different period for expiration; one 2 yrs and the other 5 years. This was enough for me to realize that they had no idea of the expiration date and that us customers were in more trouble than I had anticipated. I was also informed that Swanson was doing this because of an FDA requirement when in fact is all the contrary the FDA RECOMMENDS that the expiration date be provided. Also we all know that all products do not expire within the same periods. Some like oils have shorter duration and this is determined by actual test. Also  that depends on the humidity, temperature and lighting subjected during storage. 

  What's MANDATORY for us customers to know is not only the manufacturing date but the expiration date this way we can  not only see how old are the products you are selling us, but how long they will last. Most consumers would prefer fresh products not products that have been stored for a long time eventhough not expired. This dangerous practice can allow near expiration or expired products to be sold without the knowledge of the customer. Onlt the manufacturer that has performed the adequate tests can provide an accurate EXPIRATION DATE for the prouct.

In anycase it takes very little common sense to realize this is a terrible decision. Its like posting a sign in the highway that says you will be fined for speeding but not posting the speed limit.  

Hopefully the Swanson company that has been recognized for quality, fair prices and care for the consumer would re-evaluate this illogical decision  and provide the information that the consumer needs to evaluate the products useful life. This is critical specially at present when all consumers are indicated to READ carefully the labels of all products they buy and when the FDA wants to regulate supplements. If we continue doing things like this we are only giving the FDA more ammunition to take over food supplements besides drugs. Swanson should watch for the customer welfare not a government agency but if they can't perform such a critical task then the government will be forced to intervene! Don't complain later. This change in your products is spreading like fire in all the social medias such as Facebook and twitter.  

Would like to see Swanson reconsider this decision seriously with verifiable facts and tests not fancy and non meaningful words and as a minimum have Mr lee devote some space in the catalog and in your website to explain this irregular decision and future plans.

Bottom line all consumers are asking the same question HOW LONG CAN I TAKE THIS PRODUCT BEFORE IT EXPIRES!  And of course there is no answer with your products creating an unhealty and dangerous condition!