Do you follow Use by and Sell by Dates, and other food safety issues

belfastgirl23

My auntie worked in a chocolate factory and we consumed a LOT of out of date broken chocolate bits as children. Never did us any harm apart from the obvious tooth decay and obesity of course

dragonsoup

It does get stale. I ate part of a bar of Cadbury's Dairy Milk that was a year out of date recently. One my partner had hidden for me for the occasional "desperate for chocolate late at night" moments I get sometimes and had fogotton about.

It wasn't nice so I only had a few bits before I checked the date but there were no ill effects from it.

Penelope_Penguin

The only problem might be the slight "bloom" that someone mentioned. It's only the cocoa fat rising to the surface, and isn't a health hazard. If it's not at its freshest, you could always cook with it.

Penny. x

HappyIdiotTalk

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

My auntie worked in a chocolate factory and we consumed a LOT of out of date broken chocolate bits as children. Never did us any harm apart from the obvious tooth decay and obesity of course

LOL, most humourous!

Gingernutmeg

Since they start making easter eggs in November, I really doubt that an extra few days after the best before date is going to be an issue. My mum owns a deli and she's being nagged now to put in her Christmas orders as they're starting to make the stuff about now, so I think that kind of stuff is made to have a long shelf life.

dannie

Are there any guidelines whether it is safe to eat vacuum packed meals over the best before date (May, July and August 2007)? I have been given loads of these. They are in sealed pouches and are heat and eat Indian meals. Would you eat them still? If so, when would it be too long to store these products? Also, how about cooked/uncooked freezer storage of them in the meantime?

HC_2

'Best before' means just that. (It is different from 'Use by'.) There may be some deterioration in quality after the date specified.

I suggest you use your eyes and nose to ascertain if they're still edible.

Bear in mind that all producers err heavily on the side of caution for both 'Best before' and 'Use by' dates.

Let common sense be your guideline.

Starz_Ceilings

I agree...

If it don't look and smell right then don't eat it. I have eaten things that were past their sell by dates and there has been nothing wrong with them.

Like HC said, they always err on the side of caution regarding the dates.

gozaimasu

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

When I read the thread title, I automatically thought it would be about the best questions to ask someone before going on a date!!!

HC_2

gozaimasu wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

When I read the thread title, I automatically thought it would be about the best questions to ask someone before going on a date!!!

LOL!!:rotfl: