Out of date soft cheese - will it be ok??

Blue_Fairy_3

Apologies if I'm not posting this on the right board.

Basically I have about 4 tubs of Philidelphia cheese in the back of my fridge (Don't ask!) They were unopened, but the use-by dates are back in May 2008! :eek:
I was going to just throw the whole lot straight in the bin, but out of morbid curiosity decided to open one of the tubs. I was suprised to see that it looked, well, normal! It didn't look gone off at all, and didn't smell unusual. I decided to have a taste, not sure if it tasted right?! But then I hardly ever eat soft cheese, and never 'neat' IYSWIM!

Does anyone think it will be ok to eat or is it madness!!!

Any advice/dire warnings welcome!!

ClareEmily

Erm utter madness I would say if a week of so out of date then chance it but 6 months.

Get your bin, open the lid, drop them in

Don't you feel better already lol

LumpyCustard_2

If they are unopened, then they might actually be ok. Just take the lid off one of them and see if it is green and hairy - if not, eat and enjoy! I would.

Edit: re-reading the OP I see you are saying that it seems ok. In that case, I'd probably turn it into a cheesecake or something. Silly to bin it if it's not off.

parsonswife8

I'm surprised that it didn't get out the fridge and walk to the bin on it's own.
:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Having said that, it could maybe still be okay. It is very cold in the back part of my fridge and some things I put there have semi frozen.

pigpen

one way to find out.. have a smell and a taste.. you will know immediately if it is rancid.

We have some dairylea squeezy bottles of fake cheese on ours.. 2.5 years out of date.. not killed me yet..

Blue_Fairy_3

parsonswife8 wrote: »

I'm surprised that it didn't get out the fridge and walk to the bin on it's own.
:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

I had to laugh at that, but i know what you mean! When I opened it I expected a tub of green mould. But it looks alright. BTW I have thought of a foolproof test: when my OH comes home from work I will make him a sandwich with it, if he doesn't say anything (or die) it means it's ok, right? :rotfl:

Blue_Fairy_3

Thanks pigpen, I have smelt and tasted it, it doesn't seem to be at all rancid. If it was I would have thrown it away immediatly! Do you think if I did use it, would cooking it in a baked cheesecake would be the wisest thing to do? (Just in case there is any nasties...!)

Edit: 2.5 years out of date! That is impressive!!

pigpen

most of it is that processed it is edible way after the best by date..

nesssie1702

Cream cheese tends to go mouldy once opened and neglected, but by the sounds of things the packs have kept their seals.

You could use it for a creamy pasta sauce with some tomatoes, mushrooms and peppers - that way it'll be cooked through before you eat it as well

Enjoy

Biggles

Philadelphia these days is pretty inert stuff (unlike the old 'Lactic' Philadelphia that actually used to taste of something) and if still sealed and kept in a fridge, I'm sure it would be fine for many months.

Let your taste and smell be your guide....