Expiration dates might be valid. Around here ground meat is pretty much the only item having one that I know of.
Best before is a different topic. After that date the product probably can be consumed without after effects. It might not taste as good as intended be the chef creating the dish. Around here food is required to have a best before by law (to protect the consumers). For some products like salt or dry pasta it may be save to consume them after the best before is a few centuries in the past.
Many people are not aware of the difference. In a safety meeting the speaker proudly gave us an example how he saved a coworker´s life. He made him throw a can of tuna in the garbage when it was two days beyond its best before (which was 5 years after production). The speaker wasn´t competent on the other topics of the meeting either.