That is great information. It indicates (to me, anyway) that I don't need to be too concerned as long as it isn't a batch from last year.

That does lead to another question, though. Don't some of the deep discount stores buy their stuff in closeouts, fire sales, old stock, etc.? Should we stick to "normal" retailers that have their own distribution systems so we are sure that it isn't a batch that has been around for awhile?