We deserve better than 'sell by' label

System breakdowns in social institutions, technology, and ethics continue to plague our Nation at all levels in both private and government sectors. To fix our broken culture is truly no small task.

A recent example in the area of food-borne illness is the tricksterism and prevarication of supermarkets changing the labeling of food that is safe for consumption. Expiration dates for eggs have been quietly changed from "use by" to the self-serving "sell by" with store managers blaming the federal government (a lie) and "corporate" (SOP passing the buck) while unable themselves to provide customers with realistic use-by dates for safety and quality.

Grocery store closings, octopus takeovers by absentee owners (often silent "equity" investors), media inattention all contribute to this physical abuse and exploitation of paying customers (not just airline passengers). People who must consume food to survive deserve better treatment in a society that cares about quality of life.

Robert L. Darcy

Wheaton