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

Fruball

Yep - remove the stickers and say nothing

It will be fine

babyshoes

The majority of our meat is yellow stickered and dated that day or the next. If you freeze it on the day you buy it you'll be fine, assuming normal common sense is used for any that smells off!

katieowl_2

I have no meat in my freezer that isn't reduced. I only EVER buy reduced meat and fish, I usually freeze it and use it later, I've been doing it for years, saving a fortune, and I have NEVER EVER BEEN ILL.

Just sayin'

Rosemary7391

I've been eating reduced and frozen meat all term, and I'm still here! It'll be fine if it looks okay - obviously if it doesn't look okay then don't eat it, regardless of the date! I've had problems before with mince going off well before the use by date, which is irritating. I find the dates are never when the food actually goes off. Often it's still fine several days later even without being frozen.

Aria`s_Tail

Hi Hun, just use your common sense and nose! Especially with chicken, you can easily spot and smell if it has turned. I agree with the idea of peeling the yellow stickers off and bunging it in the freezer. Portion it up first though!

wik

Hi, If you are worried about if the meat is still fresh enough to use, do what I do!
When I get reduced meats home, I remove from the plastic trays (as they take up so much room! I then divide the meats up into plastic bags, label and freeze. then hide the packaging so no one sees!
Also do this when I use quorn mince!! I hide the packets in the bottom of the bin!

keyser666

Hi Guys, got a joint of pork from M&S that is in the vacuum pack and didnt bloody notice when I got it it has a use by of the 28th when I got it on the 27th, assumed it would have had a longer life on it to leave in the fridge until today otherwise I would have frozen it and took it out yesterday.

Can I use it for Sunday dinner or do I need to go out and get another joint?

TIA

Olive_Oyl

Personally I would use it as long as it smells ok and thoroughly cooked .:)

babyshoes

It may well be ok. Open the packaging, let it breathe for 10 mins or so (meat always smells wierd when you first open it) then smell it to see if it smells unusual. If you aren't sure, take a little slice off and cook it (quick fry will do) to taste.

salster

If it smells fine I'd use it.