Does it smell ok? Does it have the expected color? Does its texture feel like it should to the touch? Has it been opened? How long ago was it opened? Does the package show signs of potential chemical changes in the food (such as collecting condensation)? How was it kept (refrigerator, freezer, covered, or left out)? Can it be heated to kill bacteria as an added precaution?
I believe these questions are more important than what the food is. I've eaten most food items past expiration and have never had food poisoning. I've eaten food left out for a day, milk that was over a month past expiration, year old eggs, etc. I've also had food go bad weeks before expiration and barely used. Food does not abide strictly by a given number. Expiration date is just a date given for the most "likely and reasonable" expectation for the food given its ideal storage conditions.
oh, and I also usually do not take unnecessary risks like eating raw eggs. If I were to eat my eggs runny or have any food raw that normally shouldn't be, then it will be under the best conditions, farthest out expiration, best quality portions, and as soon as I buy it.
