Archive:Quick Questions on food safety / sell by / use by dates

Gryfon

Anyone know if they go off? They look alright and they've been stored in a dry cupboard but in their packet rather than a sealed container. Don't want to use them if I'm going to poison people I'm having a cupboard clear out at the moment as I have no idea what's lurking in the back!

Thanks

Farway

Thye do not go off, unless they look mouldy or damp that is

They may not be quite the same taste / texture as "fresh" ones, but the whole reason for drying over the centuries was to preserve things, and thus will fine to eat, and as they are not normally eaten on their own but as part of a stew etc you will never know the difference

SmlSave

I'd eat them!:D

nesssie1702

They won't go off, that's for sure. The worst thing that could happen to them is as Farway says, is that they've been affected by mould. But if they're in their original packaging and an airtight container, should be okay.

Gryfon

Fab thanks! I think the packaging is open but I shall check for mould first Now for 2007 cornflour which I think should be alright as I've been using some in a container with no date *lol*

Pink.

As you now have some answers I'll add this thread to the Quick Questions on food safety / sell by / use by dates as your query may help others.

Pink

moanymoany

I bought a jar of mayo and it said to use it use it within 3 weeks after opening. Mr moany finished it up taking it into the fifth week - he seems fine!

I notice this a lot. Bacon says use within four days of opening. It seems klike nonsense but I have a 'thing' about food and if I forget to use it I do chuck it.

Anyone any ideas?

Skint_Catt

LOL, my mayo has been in the fridge for months as is still perfectly good! (I only use a bit at a time as I'm on a diet.

Bacon doesn't last long in this house, but I wouldn't worry if its been open 8/9 days. If it smells or goes that weird fish scale green colour then it tends to go.

nesssie1702

That fish scale green colour is caused by bacteria that are luminescent. They're not harmful in that they won't cause food poisoning, but they are an indication that spoilage is beginning to set in.

I've got a block of cheese in the fridge that is Best Before end Dec 2007 and I fully intend to use it.

The food manufacturers have to cover their own back which is why there will be advice on the label about only keeping it for so long once it's opened.

shandypants5

nesssie1702 wrote: »

I've got a block of cheese in the fridge that is Best Before end Dec 2007 and I fully intend to use it.

Wow. What you going to use it for? Knocking nails in? :rotfl:

I wish a block of cheese would last till the end of the day in our house, but its usually "shunk" to nothing by my kids.