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

BitterAndTwisted

How cool do things stay in one of those cool-bags with no ice-packs in it?

If the food was still cool to the touch when I got it home, I'd cook and eat with no qualms. Otherwise I'd bin it.

luckycat99

OK. Thanks guys - I think there's enough uncertainty here for me to not risk it. The sausages are going in the bin. They were expensive but not worth getting ill for.

Thanks for the advice.

zippychick

ive merged this with food safety

Zip

honeythewitch

Debran wrote: »

Just a little note on freezing butter.

I usually use Lurpak spreadable and it's OK to freeze the ordinary Lurpak and the "lighter" version.

However, if you try to freeze Lurpak "lightest" the moisture will separate out.

It can be whizzed back together with a blender.

marmiterulesok

i have three packets of vegetable suet and their 'best before' date is December 2013.I was thinking of making mincemeat.Would you?

moments_of_sanity

I bought 5kgs of chicken breast from my local Chinese store which is where I always buy my chicken from however, this time I am not sure if it has spoiled (possibly just starting to).

They keep the chicken in a big walk in chiller room and on the way home we noticed a smell but thought maybe it was the packaging as the tub is completely sealed, however on opening it, the chicken has a bit of an odour (not sure what gone off chicken smells like) and was slippery but then that's not unusual for chicken but now I have frozen it into individual packs I am concerned it might have spoilt.

The shop I bought it from are closed now and not open again until Monday so won't be able to return it til then.

Do you think it could have gone off? I would rather waste the £20 I spent on it than get food poisoning.

[Deleted User]

MOS I wouldn't risk it if you are suspicious of the chicken. What I would do is phone the shop and even if they aren't open leave a message and you've done the right thing putting it into the freezer as it will be easier to take back. I bought some venison from a farmers market and it was decidedly off when I opened the shrink wrap packaging so I rang them and they said put it in the freezer and bring it back next month and we'll exchange it for another one, which they did. Are your shop open tomorrow? if so take the chicken back then if you can or on Monday if not. It's easier to do an exchange than get your money back I've found in the past. Hope that helps, Lyn xxx.

moments_of_sanity

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

MOS I wouldn't risk it if you are suspicious of the chicken. What I would do is phone the shop and even if they aren't open leave a message and you've done the right thing putting it into the freezer as it will be easier to take back. I bought some venison from a farmers market and it was decidedly off when I opened the shrink wrap packaging so I rang them and they said put it in the freezer and bring it back next month and we'll exchange it for another one, which they did. Are your shop open tomorrow? if so take the chicken back then if you can or on Monday if not. It's easier to do an exchange than get your money back I've found in the past. Hope that helps, Lyn xxx.

Thank you Mrs LW, I have never smelt 'gone off chicken' before so at least I know what it smells like now so a useful lesson there.

I have done exactly as you said and left a message for them with my contact number and telling them I will call/pop in on Monday. Hopefully I will be able to get an exchange as I have never had a problem with their chicken before.

[Deleted User]

Let me know how you get on MOS and good luck!

flopsy59

i buy trays of chicken breasts and was told they have a bit of a smell when first opened as it is something to do with the way they are sealed in container