Eating food with past use by date

babygirl110

Would you eat smoked mackerel with a use by date of 21.04.12?

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1

mel0n

Depends how much over the date, what it smells like..

Reply 2

Little Hobbit

I'd probably eat it now. I don't think I'd eat it tomorrow.

Reply 3

Scatach

Sure, as long as it didn't have a funny smell when you opened it and it was always stored correctly.

Reply 4

VaVe

As long as you are planning to do something to cook it then I can't see it being a problem since it was apparently fine yesterday. Would depends how it looks/smells though sometimes you can tell it's not okay.

Reply 5

babygirl110

Oh, I expected people to say they would throw it away

Reply 6

EatRainbows

Most stuff is fine for like a week after. The food companies don't want to get sued.

I just realised earlier today that our mayonnaise was 3 months out of date. I ate it anyway, I've been eating it all this time and have been fine, once more couldn't hurt XD

Reply 7

rainbow.panda

I think when it comes to sell by dates it really depends on what kind of food it is. Personally I wouldn't eat meat or diary products that are past their sell by dates, but I may do with things like crisps, chocolate and pasta. I suppose as long as it's been in your fridge or freezer since you bought it, there is no sign of rot or mould and it doesn't smell bad then it might be okay.

Reply 8

cosmobear92

If it was refrigerated, didn't smell, didn't have a weird colour. But seeing as the use by date was yesterday it shouldn't be too bad. But I'd cook it very soon just to be on the safe side.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 9

josh_v

personally, Yes.

You can usually tell the quality of most fresh food by smell and touch. If the meat is sticky and smells then generally it will be off however, the use by date will normally give the supermarket a few days safety net.

Smoking is a way of preserving food though, which means you probably have even longer than past the use by date than you do with most fresh meat or fish.

Reply 10

Sheikh {/} Nykaa

21.04.12 was just yesterday so i would eat it

expiry dates are estimations most foods are still good up to roughly 2 days after....but it depends, smell it...smoked foods stay fresher for long.

Reply 11

beccafairy

it depends if it actually says use by - that date tends to be more strict, whereas with 'best before' it's safe to leave it a few days.

Reply 12

walterwhite123

Yes definitely. Have you ever wondered what people did before use by dates existed?

Reply 13

babygirl110

Original post by beccafairy

it depends if it actually says use by - that date tends to be more strict, whereas with 'best before' it's safe to leave it a few days.

That's my understanding as well. I generally ignore best before dates but I never ignore use by dates on fresh produce. Apart from milk, fruits and veges.

Reply 14

username133326

if it looks and smells ok then it is ok

Reply 15

buildalegohouse

Pftt probs not.

I'm not stuck up or anything though, I just wouldn't eat fish past its sell by date.
But I have no problem with things like crackers, biscuits...you know, dry food.

Reply 16

RandomPeopleDancin

I generally go by the smell by date. Usually food goes a few days over if kept frozen/ chilled.

Reply 17

Liquidise.

Actually, the expiration (or use by) date on the packaging has to be three months prior to the actual expiration date of the product. My neighbour works at a food manufacturing company and recently brought me like 10 bags of french fries, which were all over the expiration date. He said they were unfit for sale, because of the "date", but completely suitable for consumption :smile:

I'm not sure if that was because they were frozen, I'm sure with dairy products it would be a lot less than 3 months, however I think you'll be fine.

Reply 18

ForgettingWhatsername

Most foods are fine for a couple of days (or more) after the use by date. Be careful with fish though, if it smells or tastes funny I wouldn't risk it.

Reply 19

Pawsies

Original post by beccafairy

it depends if it actually says use by - that date tends to be more strict, whereas with 'best before' it's safe to leave it a few days.

Best before dates can be used up months after expiry. Crisps/biscuits may go stale but things like pasta/rice and dry produce will be absolutely fine. Obviously check to ensure they aren't spoilt but I've used many things past the best before and not suffered.

Weirdly enough my dad eats cheese/yoghurt that has pretty much gone off and he's fine. His immune system must be pretty strong.