They have expiration dates on all sterile medical supplies like syringes, IV transfer sets, etc. I was told the reason is that the seals on the bags containing these products will deteriorate after a few years letting in ambient air and negating the sterility. Some of these products are as expensive as heck, too. When hospital throws this stuff out, I grab selected items for my first aid kit. They have to dispose of open bottles of povidone/iodine after 48 hours. Then it gets canned.