First things first, I picked up every item and looked for a USE BY DATE or an EXPIRATION DATE.
Does medicine expire? Can you take it or not? If I decide to take an expired drug will it be fatal? Let's see what Google has to say...The basic answer is that it is still safe to use, but the potency may not be as effective. Now if you really want the full strength, if you really want the headache to go away, if you really want it to be 100% effective, you might want to consider buying a new bottle.
But that's the thing I want when I finally succumb (my thinking) to taking a drug, herbal or traditional, I want it 100% effective. With that in mind, I carefully went through the tray of discards once again and kept only that which was 2020 or greater.
I did throw about half that tray away (safely of course), but I know what is there will serve my needs.
I went a step further to find out about food dates. That was a bit more vague. The date on food has to do with freshness. Things in the fridge are more susceptible to dates...eggs, yogurt, milk, cheese, salad dressing and left over food.
The end result of this morning's adventure is that food, as opposed to medicine, needs a closer eye. And of course, one should not be taking another person's prescribed drugs. I have made a couple of judgment calls, I am pleased with the outcome.