Does cheddar really have to be used within 3 days of opening?

ripplyuk

I mean the branded, pre-packed stuff. They all say the same thing "Once opened, use within 3 days". I buy the smallest block available but can never use it up. I've tried freezing it but it seemed to ruin the texture and wasn't nice. Does anyone know why it has this short use by date? Would it be risky to use it after this? Or, is there another type of cheddar that will last longer?

sulphate

Pretty sure that the cheese I have in the fridge has been open for about 2 weeks...

AliBee16

I keep cheese for ages, only throwing it away when it gets hard, or has green bits on it

meritaten

roflmao - yeah, as if! take it out of the plastic, wrap it in greaseproof paper and it will last weeks! and any green bits can be cut off. the cheese underneath will be fine. cheese gone hard? just grate it finely - it can still be used.

[Deleted User]

We buy pre grated cheddar and the resealable packs and it will last for weeks.

ripplyuk

Deleted_User wrote: »

We buy pre grated cheddar and the resealable packs and it will last for weeks.

Does it say on the pack that it will keep that long? I'm wondering why grated stuff lasts longer than a block, when they're the same thing.

Is this rule just to make us buy more cheese, or is there some nasty germ that might grow on it? I've had food poisoning before and ever since, I've been a bit paranoid about this sort of thing.

lostinrates

Cheese.

A cheese like cheddar. Capable of being stored for months, improving in those admittedly ideal conditions.... dies in just three days in our homes? I don't think so .

sticher

I'm another one who rarely throws cheese away.......green bits get cut off and if it's dried up I use it in cooking.

Runnerduck

i buy it with a yellow sticker whenever possible and keep it until its finished, cut mould off and use it to cook if it gets hard x

[Deleted User]

ripplyuk wrote: »

Does it say on the pack that it will keep that long? I'm wondering why grated stuff lasts longer than a block, when they're the same thing.

Is this rule just to make us buy more cheese, or is there some nasty germ that might grow on it? I've had food poisoning before and ever since, I've been a bit paranoid about this sort of thing.

I've just looked and it does say use within three days.
That's just rediculous though.

hoglet121

ripplyuk wrote: »

Does it say on the pack that it will keep that long? I'm wondering why grated stuff lasts longer than a block, when they're the same thing.

Is this rule just to make us buy more cheese, or is there some nasty germ that might grow on it? I've had food poisoning before and ever since, I've been a bit paranoid about this sort of thing.

'What it says on the pack' has absolutely nothing to do with how long some thing will last

This is not a rule, it is entirely designed to put the idea into your head that you must throw away perfectly good food and waste your money on more food in supermarkets who are only interested in covering their backsides...

You can eat any food regardless of the date, if it looks OK, smells OK and a little bit tastes OK. Any dry hard bits, or green mouldy bits can just be cut off. Cheese especially, which is made by bacteria - remember - cheese is really old milk....