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

dannie

Has anybody used fresh (store bought) soya milk past the best before date? I have two b.b.30/12/08 unopened.

How long did it last unopened in the fridge? Once opened,how long then?

Is it better frozen instead? If so,is this best in its original Tetra Pak package or in new containers? Is the quality just affected?

Thanks.

nesssie1702

Hi Dannie

Yes! I've used fresh soya milk after the best before date, both opened and unopened. The opened stuff had started to ferment, believe me you'll taste it! and wasn't very nice.

The opened stuff was okay and seemed to last for 2 - 3 days, which is how long a carton would do us anyway. What brand is it?

I've never frozen soya milk, and if memory serves me right, I think there's advice on the pack saying not to do this. I don't think it would freeze that well and the quality would be affected.

HTH

dannie

Thanks nessie1702 for your prompt reply.

The brand is alpro soya light (chilled 1 litre unsweetened).The company advise not to freeze their soya milks and refer to how the quality is affected. However,I am not to bothered about the quality as I intend to use it in hot drinks.(Anyway,if in doubt, I'll use it in some recipes.)

mancbird

Hi everyone,

Just a quick question - I have noticed an open packet of mince in the fridge. It has been open since Saturday with a plastic bag wrapped round it and the date on it is tomorrow. Would it still be ok to eat or am I best off not taking the risk?

iwanttosave_2

I'd give it a smell and see how it is then, if it smells ok then I'd have it.

balmaiden

As long as it is in date and smells ok, no problem.

mancbird

Thanks for you replies I'm a bit paranoid about things being fresh. One of my resolutions this year is to try not to waste so much food and learn to cook (my OH does all our cooking atm as I am rubbish in the kitchen!)

McKneff

i am also paranoid about such things. i would think the sell by date is for the unopened sealed packet. Personally, because it has not been stored airtight
i would bin it.

balmaiden

Sorry can't agree with the sell by date only applying to sealed packets. From somewhere way back in the mists of time I read that meat once purchased in sealed packets should be opened and recovered at home. I have done this forever and have never had a problem.

Errata

I'd use it - unless it started chasing me around the kitchen !