out of date chicken

SUESMITH_2

HappyMJ wrote: »

Toxins just make the food taste awful. That's why I'd do a smell test first.

oh, if only that was true. most toxins don't smell and they don't just make food taste bad they do actually cause food poisoning

Infective food poisoning is when organisms such as E. coli or Salmonella enter your digestive tract through food and grow there, causing gastroenteritis. It is an actual infection causing the disease.

Toxic food poisoning is when organisms such as Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus or Clostridium botulinum grow in food and release toxins. When the food is eaten the toxins cause the disease, not the bacteria.

Linda32

I wouldn't risk it either, and after reading most of that I doubt I'll ever eat chicken again! :eek:

Lugh_Chronain

If anyone is unsure about health issues look it up using the NHS Evidence search engine. This links to evidence based websites such as Patient.co.uk which is very informative.

There are also a lot of myths and misunderstandings around this issue as well which doesn't help. For example, when used non-technically, the term "toxin" is often applied to any toxic substance. Toxic substances not directly of biological origin are also termed poisons and many non-technical and lifestyle journalists follow this usage to refer to toxic substances in general which can sometimes lead to confusion in public perception.

In the context of alternative medicine the term is often used to refer to any substance claimed to cause ill health. This has very little to do with the scientific terminology and appears to cause confusion.

Going4TheDream

I wouldn't risk it at all.

MY OH has had food poisoning (not just a dodgy stomach, full on food poisoning) it was not a pleasant experience for him.

There is a difference between a best before date and a use by date for a reason

If in doubt chuck it out is my motto.

Lilyplonk

I'm no slave to 'use-by/sell-by/best-before dates' BUT, after doing a 'Food Hygiene Course' there's not a cat in hell's chance of me ever eating out-of-date chicken - REGARDLESS of whether, or not, it smells funny!

Chicken doesn't have to smell 'OFF' to make you ill with real food poisoning! Even cross-contamination doesn't smell but can give you real gut problems.


I'll buy it 'on the date' then have a sniff BEFORE putting it into a zip-lock bag', then expel all the air and freeze for future use OR I'll cook it up into a finished dish, portion and then freeze.