Originally Posted By TXDISNEYNERD Yes, I have done that a few times. It has been right after the expiration date and looks and smells just fine. Of course, afterwards it gets in my head and I start to think I am sick even though my DH had it too and is just fine.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost Many things because I don't necessarily feel intimidated by expiration dates. I think that 90% of them are placed there to make you throw stuff out and buy some new stuff. Do you know how long they let beef hang in the cooler before they cut it up for sale? You don't want to know. Anyway, that just one example. The one that gets me the most is Beer. If you are older than the hills like I am, you remember that "aging" was a selling point for beer. Now to mollify the "germ phobia" crowd they put an expiration date on it. A whole bunch of BS if you ask me. Rule of thumb...if it smells alright, looks alright, tastes alright and is cooked properly there is never a problem. If you open the package and the odor knocks you over, that particular thing has expired.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost Another point is that there is a lot of confusion concerning "expiration" dates and "sell by" dates. In a lot of cases they are used interchangeably, but a "sell by" date means it is still absolutely good until that date and for sometime after. It would have to be or lawsuits would be very common.
Originally Posted By LVBelle Yup! I love shopping in Fresh and Easy's clearance section. Pretty much everything in it is due to expire that day but we've found that they're fine for a few days after!
Originally Posted By mickeymeg Lots of times. I pretty much feel the same as goofyernmost. I use common sense, if it looks, smells or tastes off then away it goes. If there is nothing wrong with it then we eat it up. I hate wasting food for no good reason. And I have never had food poisoning or been ill because of this yet =)
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS I'm with TX on this one. I'll smell it, taste it, etc. All is ok. But a few hours later it plays with my head!
Originally Posted By EmmaJayne Yes.. Here we have either a Use By or Best Before date.. The latter is the more prevalent and I almost never obey it.. Crisps, soft drink and lollies are probably the three items where I don't think even a week past the best before is an issue.. I consume them all too often and have never been ill from eating them a little later than recommended.. Milk is probably the only thing I'm really picky about.. Even if it smells ok it bothers me to drink it after it's Use By..
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Yes, but I have found that with my refrigerator thing tend to stay fine for some time after the expiration date including milk.
Originally Posted By Pollyana Remember,,,when in doubt,,toss it out...I had eggs the other day that had the sell by date July 21....they were fine...
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost Refrigerated eggs can last practically forever. I don't think I have ever even looked for an "expiration" date on them.
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin I just threw out some expired eggs. I am very picky about milk, but I have had quite a bit of experience with dairies, and they say the important thing is how many days it has been open. I smell it and sometimes taste it and decide it has been too long (sometimes before and sometimes after the expiration date). Yes, I eat and drink expired foodstuffs occasionally.
Originally Posted By LadyKluck I do too. I even keep expired milk on hand for a little while, as long as it doesn't get lumpy, it's good for biscuits or pancakes. I live the mantra of "when in doubt, throw it out".
Originally Posted By avimagine Yep. Best before just means for optimal taste etc. Now some things (dairy included i'm a bit more selective). But for processed foods it's usually good unless it doesn't pass the smell/look/taste test. If it's say a can of Spam I'll just fry it a little more
