Phrases › Returning Items › Il prodotto è scaduto.

Il prodotto è scaduto.

The product is expired.

Pronunciation

'Scaduto' — ska-DU-to. Three syllables.

When to use it

Use for food, cosmetics, or medicines sold past their expiry date. This is illegal in Italy and should be reported not just returned. Stay calm but firm.

What it means

'Scadere' means to expire (for food/documents). 'È scaduto' is passato prossimo. The expiry date on Italian products is shown as 'da consumarsi entro' (for food) or 'scadenza' (for medicines/cosmetics). Selling expired goods is a violation of Italian food safety law.

Variations

La data di scadenza era ieri.

The expiry date was yesterday.

Specific — shows you checked.

Era già scaduto quando l'ho comprato.

It was already expired when I bought it.

Implies the shop sold expired goods.

Voglio un rimborso immediato.

I want an immediate refund.

Firm — appropriate for expired goods.

Mini Dialogue

Cliente: Il prodotto è scaduto. Guardi la data — scadeva tre settimane fa. Commessa: Chiedo scusa, è un errore grave. Le rimborsiamo subito. Cliente: Grazie. Dovreste controllare meglio il magazzino. Commessa: Ha assolutamente ragione, me ne occupo personalmente.

Customer: The product is expired. Look at the date — it expired three weeks ago. Assistant: I apologise, that is a serious error. We will refund you immediately. Customer: Thank you. You should check your stockroom better. Assistant: You are absolutely right, I will deal with it personally.

Cultural Note

Selling expired food in Italy can result in fines from the NAS (Nuclei Antisofisticazione e Sanità — food safety police). If a shop is uncooperative, you can report them to the local ASL (health authority).

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