Hurry! Can I cook with this?

[Liz]

I have some mozzerella cheese to make lasagne. I didn't make it as soon as I planned on and now I notice the cheese has an expiration date of 8/3. Can I use it safely? The package says "for best results sell by date on package" (not "you will die a horrible death if you eat it after date on package"!)

Whatcha think?!

[WilmaBud]

If it's never been opened, and it's not moldy, I'd say it's fine.

[christineann]

If it looks ok and smells ok, I think it's fine. Seems to me that cheese turns the green the minute it starts to go bad!

[SPAGo 98]

if it's unopened and smells fine, i would go ahead. if it looks greenish or smells funny i woudln't.

[Jennyfyar]

I'd use it. I'm usually not funny about expiration dates on cheeses. Of course if it smells funny, I'd pass.

My DH would kill me if he read this. He pours out the milk and juice the day it expires!

[browneyes]

I agree with everyone else.:)

[Liz]

Its never been opened and looks okay so I guess I'll use it. I'm usually so careful about that sort of thing and would rather throw something out than take a chance (especially since I have an immune compromised child). DH ate some and said it tastes fine. He's one of those "eat practically anything" people.

Thanks!

[Kermit]

Cheese is very forgiving when it comes to expiration dates, especially since eating cheese mold is perfectly fine. You can even just cut the moldy part off with cheese and eat the rest. The same doesn't hold true for foods like bread and fruit, though.

[jipsy]

If it's not moldy use it. Cheese making is kind of a weird bacterial, mold process anyway.

And sell by date is much different than use by date.

[janette]

I've always heard like Kermit that even if it's moldy cheese is okay. Can't bring myself to eat it that way but I think it would be pretty safe after the sell by date.

I don't pay much attention to cheese expirations dates, just throw it out if it has mold.

[vickyBaby]

I'm in the minority.

When in doubt, I throw it out. Who wants to risk an upset stomach.