Is this chicken okay?

[LeslieG]

I have a package of fresh Perdue chicken tenderloins I bought at Walmart about ten days ago. It has today's date as the use or freeze by date. I thought I heard on TV that you should not pay attention to that date, but instead use it within a few days of purchase. Do you think it's okay?

 

[Lstar311]

I am a bit of a freak about chicken so I would definitely freeze it today. If I didn't use it within the month after being frozen I'd probably toss it. Chicken sceeves me to no end!

 

[msmayor]

So its been sitting in the fridge for 10 days?

Me personally? Any meat doesn't spend more than 48 hours in my fridge. It either gets frozen immediately or cooked. Chicken that's been in my fridge for 10 days would not get eaten.

 

[buzzlady]

http://www.perdue.com/handling/storage.html

No, I would not use it! I'd never use chicken that has been in fridge more than 2 days.

 

[momto2inKC]

I would definitely toss it out! I've never kept meat more than 2 days in the fridge. 10 days seems way too long

 

[greens_in_WA]

Gross, but I'm a smell tester. If put chicken in the fridge to thaw and forgotten it... if it smells bad it is bad... maybe that's pushing it too far, but I've never had a problem with what I've used - usually 3-4 days max. 10 days is a little far, but honestly, it'll smell pretty disgusting if it has been in the fridge too long.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

not to thread jack but I have purchased Laura's ground beef (I think that's the name of it and its like 98% fat free) anyways, anytime I have purchased it on the package it says use or sell by and usually it is 2 weeks!!! Now that seems old! I have been wondering about this too, there must be some type of preservative or something in our meats. I usually use it within 2-3 days, but I still just find that odd that the date is usually pretty far away.

Give the chicken the smell test.

 

[caribear]

I would not eat it! 2-3 days is the maximum amount of time I will let raw meat or poultry stay in the fridge. I have thrown away a whole package of ground beef or chicken because I put it in the fridge to defrost and then forgot about it for 4-5 days. Err on the side of caution is my rule.

 

[JLiz]

When in doubt, throw it out!

If you feel bad because you are wasting money, just think of all the money you are saving by avoiding the insurance co-pay on an ER visit for food poisoning!

 

[Hannathy]

I would use it. Perdue would not put a date on it arbitrarily! Not in this day and age of lawsuits. It evidently has preservative in it. Anyway with the date on it how would you know if you bought it yesterday and it had today's date on it if it hadn't been at the store for 10 days. As long as it is in the use by date i would use it. Of course if it smells don't but if not I would cook it.

Raw chicken without a date yes use within a couple days but marked chicken I would trust the date.

 

[Justsyd2]

This is from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service Website:

Fresh Chicken: Chicken is kept cold during distribution to retail stores to prevent the growth of bacteria and to increase its shelf life. Chicken should feel cold to the touch when purchased. Select fresh chicken just before checking out at the register. Put packages of chicken in disposable plastic bags (if available) to contain any leakage which could cross-contaminate cooked foods or produce. Make the grocery your last stop before going home.

At home, immediately place chicken in a refrigerator that maintains 40 °F, and use within 1 or 2 days, or freeze at 0 °F. If kept frozen continuously, it will be safe indefinitely.

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/chicken_food_safety_focus/index.asp

 

[CLR4321]

Gross, but I'm a smell tester. If put chicken in the fridge to thaw and forgotten it... if it smells bad it is bad... maybe that's pushing it too far, but I've never had a problem with what I've used - usually 3-4 days max. 10 days is a little far, but honestly, it'll smell pretty disgusting if it has been in the fridge too long.

LOL, I am a smell tester too!
To the OP, the use or freeze by date is normally just that. To cook it or freeze it. If it was in the store, it can remain on the shelf until that date. The only difference is that it was in your fridge at home instead of at the store. Smell it before you cook it. If it smells sour or bad, toss it. If it smells like raw chicken, cook it up.

 

[mommy22pumpkins]

Chicken is only good in the fridge for 2 days- MAX! I had a friend who became violently ill because she cooked chicken that had been in the fridge too long She thought it was still good as no one had informed her this could be dangerous. And wound up in a hospital with vomitting/diarrhea and on IV nutrition for weeks!!

The chicken could look and smell perfectly fine and still make you quite ill even if you cook it properly.

 

[shortbun]

I've never allowed chicken to go more than the third day in my frig. I'm a smeller too! The other day I was walking past the meat/poultry counter and it was obvious-by the smell-that something was spoiled. I told the butcher about my ability to smell bad meat/chicken and he tracked me down later to thank me. His whole display of stuffed chicken breasts was bad. I guess they are so used to smelling meat that sometimes they can't tell. Gross!!

 

[Debbie]

I would use it. Perdue would not put a date on it arbitrarily! Not in this day and age of lawsuits. It evidently has preservative in it. Anyway with the date on it how would you know if you bought it yesterday and it had today's date on it if it hadn't been at the store for 10 days. As long as it is in the use by date i would use it. Of course if it smells don't but if not I would cook it.

Raw chicken without a date yes use within a couple days but marked chicken I would trust the date.

LOL, I am a smell tester too!
To the OP, the use or freeze by date is normally just that. To cook it or freeze it. If it was in the store, it can remain on the shelf until that date. The only difference is that it was in your fridge at home instead of at the store. Smell it before you cook it. If it smells sour or bad, toss it. If it smells like raw chicken, cook it up.

I agree. I don't take extra risks, but Perdue is not going to chance lawsuits, so that must mean that there is a preservative in the package. Open it, smell it, cook it or freeze it. BtW, I am one of those people that go into the store to pick up the discounted meats because the "sell by" date is today or tomorrow. Trust me....I'm as healthy as a horse....and have 30% (discounted amounts) more in my pocket!

I have a friend whose husband literally throws things out at midnight of the "best by" date.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Say "Bye, Bye Birdie". Your stomach will thank you for it. 10 days is about a week too long to have that chicken in your fridge.

 

[LeslieG]

I've decided to err on the side of caution and throw it out. It's not worth the risk. I think when in doubt, throw it out is the best advice.

 

[mskayjay]

oh lordy! just seeing this now. So glad you pitched it! Having had food poisoning twice in my life now, let me tell you there is NO WAY the cost of that chicken was worth it! One time it was on ham that was still well within its shelf life and was handled properly by us but apparently not by others and the second one was on chicken at a retaurant while on vacation!!!!! UGH!!!!!! In our house, it is "when in doubt, throw it out!".

 

[jessica52877]

If today was the sell by date then it could have sat on the store shelf for the 10 days. Yours was just at home. I would have eaten it. Chicken sits in stores for much longer then 2 days. But doesn't hurt to be cautious!

 

[leahjade]

I use the smell test - if it's not good - you'll know it! Food poisoning usually comes from food that's not cooked properly.