Expiry dates on food

Chris Wilson · 25 Apr 2018 at 13:09

The wife freezes milk, but personally I never think it tastes the same after being defrosted, it seems more watery. I tend to use the maxim that if it hasn't moved when left on the worktop for an hour it's still OK to eat. I probably inherited the trait from my maternal grandfather who used to eat some disgusting semi fluid cheese that had live maggots in it, and had a sherry with a raw egg in it for breakfast. I draw the line prior to either of those however.... he did make his late eighties though. If you eat curries and pies that you haven't made yourself you are probably worrying about use by dates unduly, IMHO

AHarvey · 25 Apr 2018 at 13:57

I've worked in several food manufacturing environments, I've seen chilled food (kept under 4'c) sat outside for 2 days at up to 27'c. I've seen overstock sent back to the factory to be repackaged with a later use by date on it.

They mean nothing.

Smell it and look at it. If it smells or looks bad, don't eat it.

dowie · 25 Apr 2018 at 14:49

Sliver said:
Trust your nose. I never mess with milk and chicken. I'd rather waste them than risk food poisoning.

No, this is BS. Don't trust your nose, the types of bacteria that cause serious illness don't smell.

itchy · 25 Apr 2018 at 14:50

Don't freeze milk as it increases the water content.

Bread is fine to freeze as it keeps it moist but milk and cheese is a no no.

Sliver · 25 Apr 2018 at 15:28

dowie said:
No, this is BS. Don't trust your nose, the types of bacteria that cause serious illness don't smell.

Nah. I trust my nose.

dowie · 25 Apr 2018 at 15:40

Sliver said:
Nah. I trust my nose.

Well you're wrong to do so in this instance for the reasons already given.

Sliver · 25 Apr 2018 at 16:04

dowie said:
Well you're wrong to do so in this instance for the reasons already given.

Nah. I trust my nose. If you want to cry more then be my guest.

Amp34 · 25 Apr 2018 at 16:07

toprock said:
Talking of condiments, Salad cream, mayo, BBQ sauce, ketchup, french dressing all tend to say consume within 4-6 weeks of opening, and refrigerate after opening.

I've had some bottles for 6 months plus and still use lol! Whats the reason for the 4-6 weeks? Many sit on warm supermarket shelves for an age, and I can't see many microbes being introduced in the act of squirting some ketchup through a small nozzle. Is this pure health and safety gone a bit OTT?

BBQ sauce and ketchup are made predominantly of sugar and vinegar, both products that have been heavily used as preservatives for centuries. They’re basically bomb proof.

dowie · 25 Apr 2018 at 16:09

Sliver said:
Nah. I trust my nose. If you want to cry more then be my guest.

You're not making any sense, I know you trust your nose... you haven't added anything by telling me that. It doesn't change the reality that you'd be silly to do so. I'm pointing this out not just for your benefit but to make the comment in general as others might be under the same false impression.

Avenged7Fold · 25 Apr 2018 at 16:09

Depends on the food. I am pretty lax these days when it comes to most things.

Anyone who did a part time stint in the supermarket when they were young will know that much of the frozen and chilled meats will likely sit in unreasonable conditions a lot of the time when stuff breaks or delivery's come at awkward times or when there is no room.

I normally go by smell, sight and common sense over being strict with dates. It is crazy how some people would willingly shove some questionable fast food week after week in their mouth (even after complaining their body doesn't agree with it) but they wont risk eating crisp, unwilted spinach because the use by date is the same day :

Sliver · 25 Apr 2018 at 16:21

dowie said:
You're not making any sense, I know you trust your nose... you haven't added anything by telling me that. It doesn't change the reality that you'd be silly to do so. I'm pointing this out not just for your benefit but to make the comment in general as others might be under the same false impression.

Nah. I trust my nose.

Lopéz · 25 Apr 2018 at 17:05

dowie said:
You're not making any sense, I know you trust your nose... you haven't added anything by telling me that. It doesn't change the reality that you'd be silly to do so. I'm pointing this out not just for your benefit but to make the comment in general as others might be under the same false impression.

Don't waste your breath, he is always like this.

McGray · 25 Apr 2018 at 17:07

I trust my nose and all is well.

Things change I've changed · 25 Apr 2018 at 17:21

Anyone remember when bread used to just go rock hard when it was old, now it molds right up, whats the deal with that?

Tefal · 25 Apr 2018 at 17:38

AHarvey said:
I've worked in several food manufacturing environments, I've seen chilled food (kept under 4'c) sat outside for 2 days at up to 27'c. I've seen overstock sent back to the factory to be repackaged with a later use by date on it.

They mean nothing.

Smell it and look at it. If it smells or looks bad, don't eat it.

Is this not something that you should be reporting?

lowrider007 said:
Anyone remember when bread used to just go rock hard when it was old, now it molds right up, whats the deal with that?

The push for preservative free products?

AHarvey · 25 Apr 2018 at 18:28

Tefal said:
Is this not something that you should be reporting?

I've not worked there in over 10 years now but it was a common occurrence in that and other food places I had worked.

Certainly makes you reconsider what you believe when it comes to food guidelines and safe practices.

dowie · 25 Apr 2018 at 18:29

it should probably make you even more cautious tbh... as you know that there is some chance that the margin of error they try to put into these things has already been pushed a bit more by sloppy work practices

Tefal · 25 Apr 2018 at 22:39

AHarvey said:
I've not worked there in over 10 years now but it was a common occurrence in that and other food places I had worked.

Certainly makes you reconsider what you believe when it comes to food guidelines and safe practices.

That's What I mean at the time should you not have reported this?

XeNoN89 · 25 Apr 2018 at 22:55

Ate my past use by date Tuna steaks earlier. They were perfect! Even fish is fine as long as it smells and looks good!

LeeUK · 25 Apr 2018 at 23:09

If it still looks, smells, and tastes fine then I'll still use it irrespective of best before or use by dates.

Bread that I know I won't use up and no longer soft I will put in freezer as it's still good for toast. Also any fresh or cooked meat in the fridge that isn't used up I will put in the freezer too. It's madness when I see people chucking out packs of fresh mince etc because it's reached the use by date - just put it in your freezer and it'll last for months!

Cakes, sweets, crisps, biscuits - no problem at all eating them long past the best before date. There are even online retailers that specialise in selling this sort of thing. It's not illegal.