I think it may be partially your fault. Whoever bought them did not check the dates when they bought them. We always check the dates on everything we buy and try to buy the farthest date as we expect some things may sit on our shelf. As you may have guessed these newer items are placed in the back behind all of the older product. Even canned goods that have no dates on them are stocked this way. The stockers place the new product in back. So everyone else is reaching back and grabbing new product and you come along and just grab the first item on the shelf. I am sure some of the product is itended for immediate comsumption and not to sit in the pantry for a year. As far as sauces, seasonings and dressings you will find that most of the items will all have the same date because they probably all came in the same shipment but it is still good to check.