Good and bad buys from Aldi and Lidl

Cornucopia

A._Badger wrote: »

The Roth stuff is actually pretty run of the mill supermarket fodder in terms of 'serious chocolate'. If you enjoyed that, their Choceur range is a lot better and excellent VFM.

In terms of Aldi's intended brand positioning, it should be the other way round.

But generally speaking, both Lidl & Aldi offer excellent VFM in their chocolate ranges - as is fitting for continental companies.

Stompa

Breaded Ham Trimmings

This has just appeared in our store, and it's pretty good. One thing puzzles me though. The 'Use by' date is a week away (which seems fine). But it includes the instruction 'Keep refrigerated, and use within 1 day of opening'. Now 1 day, seems extremely short. Are they just being ultra cautious, or is there a good reason for this?

maman

Stompa wrote: »

Breaded Ham Trimmings

This has just appeared in our store, and it's pretty good. One thing puzzles me though. The 'Use by' date is a week away (which seems fine). But it includes the instruction 'Keep refrigerated, and use within 1 day of opening'. Now 1 day, seems extremely short. Are they just being ultra cautious, or is there a good reason for this?

I've tried this and it tastes good when first opened but really doesn't last. I'd recommend only buying it if you're going to be able to eat it up quickly. Tastes really odd after the first day. It might work to make up sandwiches and freeze them but I've not tried this.


If you can't eat it all then it's false economy.

sillygoose

Stompa wrote: »

Breaded Ham Trimmings

This has just appeared in our store, and it's pretty good. One thing puzzles me though. The 'Use by' date is a week away (which seems fine). But it includes the instruction 'Keep refrigerated, and use within 1 day of opening'. Now 1 day, seems extremely short. Are they just being ultra cautious, or is there a good reason for this?

I have not seen this particular item but you will see these days that a lot of food and especially Aldi's is packed in bullet proof thickness plastic. Its because the food is packed sterile and the package filled with pure inert Nitrogen gas replacing the normal air with Oxygen in. As Oxygen is needed for life this preserves it as its almost impossible for mould or bacteria to grow. Also Oxygen is needed for oxidisation so it slows the deterioration of the food quality too.

Once opened you let Oxygen in and any trivial levels of bacteria in it will now grow, mould spores in the air will get in and it will oxidise loosing flavour and nutritional quality.

This method is why they can sell even products with meat in that can last refrigerated (to further slow the process) for weeks.

Stompa

sillygoose wrote: »

I have not seen this particular item but you will see these days that a lot of food and especially Aldi's is packed in bullet proof thickness plastic. Its because the food is packed sterile and the package filled with pure inert Nitrogen gas replacing the normal air with Oxygen in. As Oxygen is needed for life this preserves it as its almost impossible for mould or bacteria to grow. Also Oxygen is needed for oxidisation so it slows the deterioration of the food quality too.

Once opened you let Oxygen in and any trivial levels of bacteria in it will now grow, mould spores in the air will get in and it will oxidise loosing flavour and nutritional quality.

This method is why they can sell even products with meat in that can last refrigerated (to further slow the process) for weeks.

Yes, I understand all that. But similarly packaged products usually specify at least two or three days, so it seems a bit unusual that this only specifies one. Perhaps there's a difference in the preservatives used, or maybe because it's trimmings it has more bacteria to start with (due to the way it's been handled maybe), hence a shorter lifetime.

sharond101

Stompa wrote: »

Breaded Ham Trimmings

This has just appeared in our store, and it's pretty good. One thing puzzles me though. The 'Use by' date is a week away (which seems fine). But it includes the instruction 'Keep refrigerated, and use within 1 day of opening'. Now 1 day, seems extremely short. Are they just being ultra cautious, or is there a good reason for this?

I've bought this several times and it's really good. Always scrutinise the packets as the cut can be quite different. I always (rightly or wrongly??) freeze it in portions and never had a problem with it. There is always a tiny bit of water when defrosted but I just drain that away and it tastes just as was fresh.

Feral_Moon

Stompa wrote: »

Yes, I understand all that. But similarly packaged products usually specify at least two or three days, so it seems a bit unusual that this only specifies one. Perhaps there's a difference in the preservatives used, or maybe because it's trimmings it has more bacteria to start with (due to the way it's been handled maybe), hence a shorter lifetime.

I never follow instructions. I use me eyes, nose and taste buds. No wonder there's so much food waste if everyone adheres to manufacture instructions. There's a reason for this... bin it and buy fresh, before it actually goes stale/off

Nada666

It's for the same reason that minced beef or pork has a shorter life than whole steaks - larger surface area. Plus, of course, they're trimmings so have already been out for a while before being repackaged.

Of course you can use them for two or three days without worry.

A._Badger

Cornucopia wrote: »

In terms of Aldi's intended brand positioning, it should be the other way round.

But generally speaking, both Lidl & Aldi offer excellent VFM in their chocolate ranges - as is fitting for continental companies.

I suspect the money is spent on the packaging. Try then side by side and see what you think.

TravellingAbuela

Stompa wrote: »

Breaded Ham Trimmings

This has just appeared in our store, and it's pretty good. One thing puzzles me though. The 'Use by' date is a week away (which seems fine). But it includes the instruction 'Keep refrigerated, and use within 1 day of opening'. Now 1 day, seems extremely short. Are they just being ultra cautious, or is there a good reason for this?

This has been in our store for a good while now but my experience of it is not good! The first pack I got was full of lovely small smoked ham slices. I divided it up in small bags and froze in portions in view of the short use within 1 day of opening instruction. So impressed with it, I bought another pack and what a disappointment! The ham was nowhere near as nice and is still in the freezer in individual bags - I doubt it will see the light of day again!! Maybe I was just unfortunate with the second pack but it has put me off buying any more.