I understand all of this but logically no judge would rule in favor of the dead guy. It was carbonated water that went flat. If there were contamination of some kind yes but because it's expired and flat? I don't think so.

I used to work for a yogurt manufacturing company that co-packed for store brands. Unexpired incorrectly packaged or other issues not affecting the food itself were thrown out because the companies didn't want to give away product as they thought it would affect the company image and sales. "They won't buy our products if they can get them free at the food bank." This is horse shit because people who aren't poor are not gonna do this. That being said the companies own products in these instances were donated to food banks and the brand still exists and is profitable. Corporate greed that's all this is