Discussion
This would do better in the Lounge but I have a feeling it'll suffer a move so I'll save the mods some trouble.
What is the policy of the PH Gastronomists on Use By dates?
I ask as the other half has just flatly refused to get involved in some freshly opened sour cream dip with a Use by date on the lid of the 5th of May. Seems crazy to me, smells fine so I guess just more for me!
My general policy is if it hasn't changed colour, spawned offspring or attempted to climb out of the jar/packet then it's all good.
So, will you it no matter what or are we all a bit too careful for our own good?
What is the policy of the PH Gastronomists on Use By dates?
I ask as the other half has just flatly refused to get involved in some freshly opened sour cream dip with a Use by date on the lid of the 5th of May. Seems crazy to me, smells fine so I guess just more for me!
My general policy is if it hasn't changed colour, spawned offspring or attempted to climb out of the jar/packet then it's all good.
So, will you it no matter what or are we all a bit too careful for our own good?
holes. I wouldn't trust their judgement! 
They are generally only a guideline. The only things that I've noticed seem to expire more or less a minute past the expire by date is chicken (and shellfish as above). The chicken may still be okay, but it has such an overpoweringly 'off' smell I tend not to risk it.
Most other things I will eat if they look / smell okay.
Most other things I will eat if they look / smell okay.
Sauces in jars (with the vacuum "pop" lid) are generally dated with a 12 or 18 month durability. Almost all of these are actually good for 24 months. The reason being that most UK producers also export, and transportation is such that it takes a good while to reach destination and would otherwise have a far shorter date by the time it hit foreign shelves.
That said, anything containing dairy (such as Korma etc.) should be thrown as the production method is very tight, I have personally seen microbiological result from end of shelf life samples which would leave you sat on the toilet for hours.
The very best home test you can do if it's borderline, or over is to taste a small sample cold. heating "wakes up" flavours and the smell can then affect the effectiveness of your taste buds. If it doesn't taste right cold, just leave it.
That said, anything containing dairy (such as Korma etc.) should be thrown as the production method is very tight, I have personally seen microbiological result from end of shelf life samples which would leave you sat on the toilet for hours.
The very best home test you can do if it's borderline, or over is to taste a small sample cold. heating "wakes up" flavours and the smell can then affect the effectiveness of your taste buds. If it doesn't taste right cold, just leave it.
boxst said:
They are generally only a guideline. The only things that I've noticed seem to expire more or less a minute past the expire by date is chicken (and shellfish as above). The chicken may still be okay, but it has such an overpoweringly 'off' smell I tend not to risk it.
Most other things I will eat if they look / smell okay.
Agree. That's my experience with chicken too, same story with pork as well although that tends to last a bit longer before starting to smell.Most other things I will eat if they look / smell okay.
Anything else is fair game if it smells and looks okay
.If it looks ok and smells ok then it'll be ok.
The youngest once texted me about something in the fridge that had a layer of mould on it, she asked if it would be ok to just scrape it off and eat what was underneath; I think it was jam, before I had a chance to reply she texted me to say that she had scraped it off and it tasted fine; she's still alive, my eldest would have chucked it.
The youngest once texted me about something in the fridge that had a layer of mould on it, she asked if it would be ok to just scrape it off and eat what was underneath; I think it was jam, before I had a chance to reply she texted me to say that she had scraped it off and it tasted fine; she's still alive, my eldest would have chucked it.
You do know that best before and use by dates are two different things.
From food standards agency
You will see 'use by' dates on food that goes off quickly, such as smoked fish, meat products and ready-prepared salads. Don't use any food or drink after the end of the 'use by' date on the label, even if it looks and smells fine. This is because using it after this date could put your health at risk.
The 'best before' dates are more about quality than safety, except for eggs. So when the date runs out it doesn't mean that the food will be harmful, but it might begin to lose its flavour and texture
From food standards agency
You will see 'use by' dates on food that goes off quickly, such as smoked fish, meat products and ready-prepared salads. Don't use any food or drink after the end of the 'use by' date on the label, even if it looks and smells fine. This is because using it after this date could put your health at risk.
The 'best before' dates are more about quality than safety, except for eggs. So when the date runs out it doesn't mean that the food will be harmful, but it might begin to lose its flavour and texture
Load of old tosh, it's no accident the sniff test is so accurate, we've evolved to be able to sniff out the harmful stuff. We'd be buggered in the wild if we couldn't tell the difference between what's safe and what's not.
From a man still using powdered milk ten years after the use by date expired
From a man still using powdered milk ten years after the use by date expired
SmoothCriminal said:
You do know that best before and use by dates are two different things.
From food standards agency
You will see 'use by' dates on food that goes off quickly, such as smoked fish, meat products and ready-prepared salads. Don't use any food or drink after the end of the 'use by' date on the label, even if it looks and smells fine. This is because using it after this date could put your health at risk.
The 'best before' dates are more about quality than safety, except for eggs. So when the date runs out it doesn't mean that the food will be harmful, but it might begin to lose its flavour and texture
They're both somewhat speculative and should be regarded as guides though- how does a producer/retailer account for transit home which could be 10 minutes in a heat reflective bag with the other cold produce or half an hour in the boot at 30c? From food standards agency
You will see 'use by' dates on food that goes off quickly, such as smoked fish, meat products and ready-prepared salads. Don't use any food or drink after the end of the 'use by' date on the label, even if it looks and smells fine. This is because using it after this date could put your health at risk.
The 'best before' dates are more about quality than safety, except for eggs. So when the date runs out it doesn't mean that the food will be harmful, but it might begin to lose its flavour and texture
I've thrown away in-date meat and eaten out-of-date stuff.
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