Do you use things past "best by" "use by" and "sell by"

[My sister's princess]

This is inspired by a thread I saw on the budget board. I'm curious if about how people feel about these dates.

Do you use things past their date? If so how far?

Any fun stories
!?

 

[Squirlz]

Depending on the product, sure. My Wife will tell you stories of the food she pitched when she moved in. Like 2-years-out PopTarts and the can of tomatoes that looked like a football.

 

[mamacatnv]

My motto is best if used by not dead if used after.

My DD is the food date police, a couple of years ago while camping I made Kraft Mac & Cheese that was 5 years past its pull date. It was in our camper storage, DD ate it up, then I told her and showed her the box

When we moved I threatened to make her last meal out of everything I found in the pantry that was past its date.

I view them as a guideline. I pay more attention to the dates on meat than anything else with dry goods being at the near bottom of the list. I have an "expired" can of clam chowder and a can of minced clams also out of date that I am saving for a rainy day when I really want to torture DD

 

[My sister's princess]

My motto is best if used by not dead if used after.

My DD is the food date police, a couple of years ago while camping I made Kraft Mac & Cheese that was 5 years past its pull date. It was in our camper storage, DD ate it up, then I told her and showed her the box

When we moved I threatened to make her last meal out of everything I found in the pantry that was past its date.

I view them as a guideline. I pay more attention to the dates on meat than anything else with dry goods being at the near bottom of the list. I have an "expired" can of clam chowder and a can of minced clams also out of date that I am saving for a rainy day when I really want to torture DD

Your mom skills are amazing. That is how I see myself being when we have kids

 

[Sadie22]

I'm shocked by the number of people who think food has gone bad if it is past the "best by" or "sell by" dates and automatically throw it out. "Use by" I would use it up soon thereafter or cook or freeze it. I have milk in the fridge right now that is a couple days out of date. It's still good.

Canned goods are good unless bulging or leaking. I always heat food pretty hot anyway.

We practice safe food handling here and we do not waste much at all. Even the vegetable scraps go to the compost heap.

 

[mamacatnv]

I was recently reading an article about how much food is wasted in this country due to those best if used by dates. Given how many people in this country go hungry, it sickens me to throw away something that is perfectly good just because of some random shelf date and therefore I won't throw it away.

Sure, meat, dairy etc I am careful with, always give the sniff test etc. but a box of brownies that "expired" last week is still going to be just as good today as they would have been.

I admit, the 5 year old Mac and Cheese had a bit of a stale taste to it and the macaroni was a bit chewy but hey, no one died and that box of mac & cheese was not wasted.

 

[StephMK]

I was recently reading an article about how much food is wasted in this country due to those best if used by dates.

I heard about that recently too so I have eased up on paying too close attention to dates. Most of the time, things get used well before their dates anyway. One time, DD ate some salad dressing that had expired about 9 months prior. She was fine but not very happy when she discovered that. I would have tossed it if I'd known but it was oil/vinegar based so probably fine anyway.

 

[lovesmurfs]

I was recently reading an article about how much food is wasted in this country due to those best if used by dates. Given how many people in this country go hungry, it sickens me to throw away something that is perfectly good just because of some random shelf date and therefore I won't throw it away.

Sure, meat, dairy etc I am careful with, always give the sniff test etc. but a box of brownies that "expired" last week is still going to be just as good today as they would have been.

I admit, the 5 year old Mac and Cheese had a bit of a stale taste to it and the macaroni was a bit chewy but hey, no one died and that box of mac & cheese was not wasted.

I've also been known to cook meat for my family that's been in the freezer for 2-3 years. Without telling them, of course.

As long as the can's not damaged, I don't pay any attention to the dates. I figure they're just posted on the food so that the companies can sell more of it.

We eat leftovers up to a week old in the fridge. DS (who has a sensitive stomach) recently ate some old stroganoff and jambalaya that were in there for 3 weeks with no ill effects (kinda makes you wonder). "But, Mom, I was hungry!" Sigh.

 

[dyna]

HMMMMMMMM depends on what it....

Just this evening I opened to packs of shredded cheddar cheese made by borden both had a may expiration date both 8oz packs was moldy neither had been opened before both have been in my fridge since bought very late Dec

The cheese did not even last to close to the expiration date. GRRRRRRRRR


REmembers when very few things had a date of any kind on them except diary products an eggs

 

[worm761]

I know all the food safety guidelines from working in restaurants and I still use stuff out of date at home. I do follow first in, first out with my pantry. I don't pay too much to expiration dates. I pay attention to the smell and feel of the food. Leftovers get pitched if they are not gone in 4 days though.

 

[willowsnn3]

I use after the date. I also do the 'sniff' thing, especially with meat. The only thing I'm really picky about is eggs. I won't use them past the date on the carton.
Several years ago we wound up with several dozen eggs and the last batch I cooked was about 3 weeks past the use by date. I kept thinking they had a 'stale' smell but no one else thought anything was different in the smell or taste, but since then I can't eat an egg past the exp date if I know about it.

 

[mamacatnv]

I use after the date. I also do the 'sniff' thing, especially with meat. The only thing I'm really picky about is eggs. I won't use them past the date on the carton.
Several years ago we wound up with several dozen eggs and the last batch I cooked was about 3 weeks past the use by date. I kept thinking they had a 'stale' smell but no one else thought anything was different in the smell or taste, but since then I can't eat an egg past the exp date if I know about it.

I add the old eggs to the most recent carton, then DD can't ever tell if they have expired or not.

My Auntie who I swear my DD aspires to be when she grows up, checks her pantry and fridge and regardless of what it is, if its a minute past the date she throws it away, I think that is such a waste.

 

[Sadie22]

Also note that prescription drugs will usually be given a date that is one year from the date they are dispensed. They need to be taken as instructed, of course, but the date does not mean that they go bad on that date. When in doubt, ask your pharmacist.

 

[North of Mouse]

I go by looks on some things, but usually do not go too far beyond the date on package - some things more than others.

As for eggs pp, I always use them past the date - if in doubt, put them in cold water. If they float - throw. If they stand on end they're ok, but are getting older. I like older eggs to boil - they peel easier.

I use meats from freezer far older than recommended as they seem ridiculous on their recommendations. The worst thing with frost free freezers is 'freezer burn', but if it isn't too bad I will just cut some of it off. Most times meats will have somewhat of a freezer smell, but does not affect quality or taste once cooked.

 

[MIGrandma]

It depends on the item. Canned (vegetables, soup, fruit, etc.) or boxed (macaroni, rice, etc.) items I will use up to 6 months or so past the "best if used by" date. Some of those items have an "old" taste to them if you use them long past the expiration date.

Milk I will use 2-3 days past the date on the carton, after sniffing to make sure it's still good.

I won't use fresh meat after the expiration date. Frozen meat has to have no freezer burn otherwise it has an "off" taste and I won't use it.

I'll use eggs 2-3 weeks past the date stamped on the carton, but longer than that and they get thrown out.

As far as leftovers in the frig, we'll eat them up to a week later but longer than that and they get tossed out to the barn cats.

 

[EmJay2001]

My motto is best if used by not dead if used after.

My DD is the food date police, a couple of years ago while camping I made Kraft Mac & Cheese that was 5 years past its pull date. It was in our camper storage, DD ate it up, then I told her and showed her the box

When we moved I threatened to make her last meal out of everything I found in the pantry that was past its date.

I view them as a guideline. I pay more attention to the dates on meat than anything else with dry goods being at the near bottom of the list. I have an "expired" can of clam chowder and a can of minced clams also out of date that I am saving for a rainy day when I really want to torture DD

I think we are kindred souls, I so love to do this type of stuff to my DD. She calls me her frenemy now lol.

 

[Pakey]

I work for a food manufacturer (canned/bottled goods) and those best by dates are a suggestion for when a product has optimal flavor or color. The exact same item, sold by different companies, have different best by dates. I've seen the difference be as much as 3 years.

I don't know about fresh items but as long as container/lid isn't puffed or damaged, I use products past the date. The puffing can occur within hours of manufacturing and isn't necessarily related to date of manufacture.

 

[barkley]

there's a website called eatbydate.com that has some interesting 'guidelines' for how far past expiration or 'use by' dates things are safe to consume.


I grew up with a mom who canned, so I'm used to items being used YEARS later than the identical product (with oh so many more preservatives) at a grocery store would indicate.

the only thing I'm very careful on is dairy products-but that's because we have some kind of pyscho super processing here that dates it WAY out such that I'm not willing to go much beyond their recommended use by date (seriously, I just bought milk yesterday with use by dates of mid march).

 

[tvguy]

My favorite is the expiration date on bottled water.

The water has been underground for 100 million years, but it's only good for 18 months if it is sealed in a bottle.

 

[NAB]

Eggs can sit in my fridge a long time so it might be months off the expiry date but never had a problem eating or using them.

Milk if it doesn't smell bad or have lumps use it until it is gone.

I have had meat in the fridge and forgot about the date by a week or more put in the freezer we just had it the other night. No one is sick.

Only thing I will throw away is peanuts they go rancid. We do eat peanut butter that has gone pass it date and haven't had a problem either.

Maybe we are just lucky.