~Use Within 6 weeks / Keep in the Fridge..... how strict are the rules~

PerfectParadox

firstly apologies if this is the wrong place to ask this, if so please kindly point me in the right direction

Secondly if this already has been asked/threaded apologies also. No need to shoot me.... honest

ok so here is my queiry, after a slight disagreement with mother dearest, over best before/use by ectera.... put simply we chuck out alot of food because we over shop, double by, and then once in a while there is a sudden purge apon the kitchen, where things beyond "best" go into the big black bin... I have been told that because it is not my house etc then if this is how my mother wants to do things so be it....

anyway. I know spices dont really go "off" just a bit staler and you might need to use more to et the same taste. my question is to do with sauces and jellies.

A) do they need to be kept in the fridge.... I can't see the difference between keeping marmalade in a cupboard but then having to put mint jellie in the fridge....
the use within 6/8/insert number here weeks after opening on things like horse radish and jellies and such..... how strict is this? Also can't see why if we use strawberry jam from the cupboard till it runs out regardless of weeks of age (its gone within 2 months, or if it moulds cos someones put the butter knife in, or gets that alcaholly smell...) but my mother insists on buying a new jar of condiments for which ever roast which she will chuckout half used before the next time we get round to having that roast again.


i apologies if i sound prigish or un-appricative. I am. I love that there is food in the fridge and cupboard, I just don't like putting the same food in the bin.

any help?

miss_corerupted

I don't worry about them as long as they look ok and smell ok I still eat it.

We had crab apple jelly for over a year open and it was lovely and still used it. With all the sugar or vinegar these things have in them I can't really see them going off any time soon.

I also don't keep butter or cheese in the fridge as cheese is nicer at room temp, never had a problem.

Amber_Babies

If its not mouldy / smells odd I use it!! I dont keep tables sauces / jams etc in fridge & often have them for quite some time. All okay so far!!

MrsRogers

My god I'd dread to check the dates on my condiments (I never check) We use it until it runs out as long as looks / smells ok. Trust your sense I say thats what they are there for.

Also think about what things are made of tends to be a good rule ... Jam/ marmalade is made with a huge volume of sugar which is a preservative in its own right. I personally make my own jam and sugar and they don't come with a use by date

I think there is a HUGE thread on here somewhere all about sell by/use by/ best before ....check that out loads of great advice

chocolate_buttons_2

we keep jams/marmalade/honey and syrup in the cupboard along with ketchup/brown sauce etc, brown pickle, piccallili, chilli sauce etc. I go by the idea that these are preserves so these are designed to be kept

Mint jelly/horseradish/mayo/salad cream/tartare sauce etc in the fridge once they're opened.

butter/marge and cheese in the fridge (bring the cheese out about an hour before you want to eat to maximise the flavour)

I ignore the "eat within x weeks" on foods. I mean, the wine I'm drinking says "drink within 3 months of opening" :rotfl: be lucky if that lasts the evening!

Just need to use your judgement and smell

can appreciate if it's not your house how it must annoy you, it would me!

MrsRogers

Here you go

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=196763
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=175541

lizzyb1812

The rules - the thing is that there is no perfectly accurate set of rules. For your mum it's what it says on the packet, for most people on here it's "if it smells OK and tastes OK then it is OK" and for a lot more than table sauces and jellies which basically last forever.

Whilst you're at your mum's then her rules apply - just reverse the situation - if you had your own place and she came in and threw everything out that was over date you'd throw a fit and tell her that in YOUR place YOUR rules apply. Apparently you've been given the message that in HER place HER rules apply and that's fair enough.

If you want to cut waste start cutting out the over shopping and double buying - eg "We've got an unopened one of those...." or do a shopping list then cross out everything that is already in the cupboards and suggest that the savings could go on a treat.

It's not you that's wasting stuff and it's better to keep a good relationship with your mum than grieve over a load of chucked out food - pick your battles - this really shouldn't be one of them