ragqueen03

Yesterday when I got off work decided to make tortilla soup ( a co worker's mom gave us all the recipe) checked the cupboards to see what i need for it then when grocery shopping. Came home start making it and went to put the cream of chicken soup in and realized i had chicken broth instead! GRRRRR! i live at least 7 miles from the nearest grocery store. So i called my neighbor - she wasn't home. Went back to the store and grabbed a can as well as some potato chips for husband (had to make it worth the trip you know!)Opened the can - it my haste it was chicken noodle soup! My hubby just laughed ( in fact he sat in his chair all night and laughed!)I put everything in the fridge and will finish it today! Locked the doors and didn't venture out anywhere - figured i was just asking for trouble if i went again! But on a side note - neighbor did call when she got home. She is in process of moving and i figured she probably didn't have cream of chicken soup - she had a can but said it was dated from 2010 and if i wanted it i could have it but she understood if i had a problem with it being out of date. She said she never worries about the expiration date on stuff like that and she would use it. I thanked her nicely but said no thanks. My question is this has anyone ever used something like that with an expiration date that long ago. I know some things can be used but i was a little leary with it being CREAM of chicken soup?

themachinelady

Yes I have used outdated cans a lot of the time as things get pushed back and don't always get brought to the front of my canned goods as well as boxed goods. As long as the can doesn't have any bulges in it (Never us anything with a bulged can regardless of what date it has) it should be okay. And, if it is any consolation, yes I have had days like that.

I try to keep a pretty good stash (overkill sometimes) of canned and boxed goods, as the nearest grocery store is right at 18 miles from me, so one doesn't run in for an item or two, you make it count at today's gas prices.

Don't think I have made taco soup with cream of chicken soup, would you share your recipe? It sounds good!

yngldy

Well, yesterday WAS Friday the 13th!

TShooters

Used a can of chili last night (best by date 2008), for chili dogs/hot dogs to feed the friends/neighbors/their kids. It looked and tasted just like the newer can I put with it. So far....so good....everybody's still kickin'. Besides bulging cans, I avoid rusty cans.

Have had days like that, and substitute something else...the result, my kids used to call "Mama Surprise".

BMP

Nope I throw outdated things out, I am too afraid of someone getting sick !

GingerK

I worked in a grocery store for 10 years. The best before on canned goods is really there so that the stock gets rotated. The amount of stuff that North America throws into the garbage is disgusting. I check the best before on a can, then look at the can (yes bulging or rusty does get tossed) But the real teller is openning it and taking a good sniff. Smells okay, then look at the product. Looks okay. Then give it the taste test. A wee taste will not kill you if the stuff is off, but you should be able to tell. Plus, if it is something you are cooking, the heat should kill off any random bacteria.

And remember that our foreparents had no refridgeration and seemed to be healthier than we are today. Maybe it was because their bodies got to fight off a lot of stuff that has been deemed 'dangerous' in today's society.

Throw out your antibacterial soap!! Okay off my soap box.

Jadie

I have use out dated things in the past.... I have a year limit on cans and such. dry goods such as noodles are fair game any time.

and yes I have had days like that ........They help me to count the blessings on the good days.

cathyvv

Many times. If the can is 'bubbled' or swollen looking, then it can't be used. Otherwise, it's ok. At least it hasn't killed me yet!

quiltingcandy

One time I had a can of Potato soup (Campbell's) and it was rather old, when I opened it, it was almost solid. So I threw it out even though it smelled fine just didn't want to risk it.

And I am with GingerK - the antibacterial soap is not really a good thing.

Also I swear things change in the cart - can't tell you how many time I have tried to buy dry roasted peanuts and got home with honey roasted.

DogHouseMom

I honestly never knew, or paid attention to cans having sell by dates! So yeah, I'm sure I've used some old stuff!!

And yes - I've had PLENTY of days like that. Including the day (recently) I came home from grocery shopping (for the 3rd or 4th time because I kept forgetting the 1 thing I went for), and put the groceries away. Later that evening when I needed that ONE item I kept forgetting ... it wasn't where it belonged. I did find it, in the freezer. The item ... tampons.

Trust me, that was not a pleasant experience.