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

robsmum_2

Morning All OS,
Searched through and can't find theanswer and hope someone can help. I'm in the middle of cleaning out my kitchen cupboards, only pantry to go! I have 4 tins of fruit in fruit juice that are 2 years out of date (that's all, so have greatly improved) Can I use them please?

lisawood78

I'd say, same as everything else, if you open it and it looks and smells fine then go for it, if you are lucky it may have fermented into wine :-)

SueC_2

I would. I know the fruit started off fresh, but frankly, by the time it's in a tin it's been processed beyond all recognition as 'fresh'. When you look at what it goes through, it's amazing there's any nutritional value left in it at all. So long as the can is undamaged, and has already been said, the contents appear okay, then fill your boots!

nanokitten

Canning is not a bad way of preserving fruit and veg as most vitamins are light and air sensitive so are protected from both. obviously some is lost on canning but wont deteriorte much after that. - canned fruit and veg still counts to your 5 a day.
Check the can is intact and there are no signs of rust (which can breach the seal) should be ok if it looks /smells ok.

robsmum_2

Thanks all for that advice, will try them. I was impressed that that was the only lurkers! This OS behaviour is quite addicitive!

Penelope_Penguin

I'll add this to the exisitng thread on use by dates, so that it can be of use to others

Penny. x

Raksha

Tinned fruit (and this includes tomatos) actually have high acid levels, with time, this can eat into the tin plate of the tin, so this is one time when 'if it looks and smells OK you'll probably be fine' doesn't work - you can't smell or taste the tin, but you could still be poisoned. I know most modern tins now have a lining to keep the tin sound, but I wouldn't mess with tin poisoning.

Hazel673

I've never posted on this board before.

I bought a packet of smoked salmon for dinner tonight - smoked salmon tagliettelli - and just checked and its use by yesterday. Thought it had longer than that when i bought it but hey ho. Just thinknig though that cos its smoked maybe it'll still be ok? But equally cos its fish its a bit risky maybe?

Just hoping someone here might have a clue, i tried searching but nothing came up.

xxx

CCP

I think the usual rule will apply here - if it smells OK and tastes OK, it will probably be OK! I've used packets of smoked fish and meat up to 2 weeks after their use by date before now, so I don't expect one day will be much of a problem. If you're in any doubt, though, don't - as you say, fish can be a bit dodgy and there's no point making yourself ill.

underlay_guru

Hi,

If you've got a cat, maybe try giving it a small piece?! If the cat is fine, you should be fine.

(Please not I am not promoting animal testing!)