Yes, I always do the smell test first. Mind you my sniffer is not a sharp as it used to be so I am wondering if I should be doing this. If an item lived in the fridge then I will go by the use by date. If it is a 'dry' food (Like oats or cereal or flour or sugar or noodles) then it doesn't matter. If tins are about a year gone then it isnt a problem. Longer than that I would be hesitant. Not a fan of botulism.