Use by dates - - -
 

My aunt was very unhappy when my cousin (her daughter) cleaned out her refrigerator and tossed out everything that was "expired" - only if by a few days or so!

I tend to use "judgement" when it comes to expiration dates - if it's something like milk - it smells and tastes bad - no problem there.

When it comes to spices and condiments - I probably should be embarrassed by how old some of those things are. I think the new packaging has a "best if used by ____" dating on the packages now. Some of the older ones have some kind of code.

Anyone else keep and use outdated stuff?

Of course I do! I use my judgement on most things but some things you can tell by smell/look without having to look at the "use by___" date. From my experience, most things have a much longer "good" time after the expiration date.
Now, when something has gone so long in my fridge that I can't even recognize any more it is definitely time to get rid of it. I've been known to find a container of just green, powdery looking stuff in a container back in the corner of my fridge that is no longer recognizable to the human eye.

A couple of years ago, I finally threw out a bunch of spices that were at 10 years old, although once in a blue moon I've used them and we're still here. We all managed to survive before expiration dates came into being, so unless it smells back or looks "funny", I'll used it.

IMHO, the 'best before' date is a 'guide'--and a reminder to stores to rotate their products. I found a sealed container of yoghurt that had migrated to the back of our fridge. It was about 3 weeks past the expiry date. I decided to open it--looked fine, just a little watery on top. Sniff test was negative for spoilage. Soooo I decided to taste it. It tasted fine and we used it that day. None of us got sick or dropped dead from salmonella. :D

I have frozen cottage cheese and ricotta that are at their 'use by' date, thawed and used in lasagna, with no ill effects. I have used canned goods that were a year past their 'use by' date. As long as the top of the can is not bulging out, and air whooshes into the can when it is opened, all is good.

In the current litigious era, I feel that 'best before' and 'use by' are the food industry covering their collective behinds.

I believe there is a difference between "Best by" dates and "expiration" dates, and then there is the "sell by" dates, too. I am kind of a stickler on dates for some items. Some canned items have dates that are so far into the future that if they go past that by much, I just feel the product is too old and has been sitting in metal too long. I know there are people who look for items that are past their date, just not for me. Spices I don't usually even check, or dry products like crackers, etc, not too concerned because they will begin to taste stale or "off" and I don't think they will give me food poisoning. Needless to say, this all drives my DH a little crazy! He thinks I am too picky.

Ginger, I think we were writing our posts at the same time! Same idea, just a little different take:)

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/...dates-matter#1

We usually eat up everything in the frig eventually. I guess we have cast iron stomachs. Daughter in law would like to throw everything away. When we are there I say "save this, I'm going to eat it for lunch" and she will say "really? it will go bad". It doesn't. I finally got rid of some spices that were 20 plus years old, but, they still smelled pungent to me.

I have some pizza rolls that still look good. I have no idea if they are!

Never! The refrigerator is cleaned out twice a week. There are no old pickles, sour cream, cheese, etc. lurking in there. I will admit that stinky garbage is double bagged and frozen until garbage day. LOL. Leftovers go after 3 days too.

I stopped the trash truck today with a whistle as they blew by my house. They backed up and took the dead plants waiting for pick-up.

Pantry is cleaned out at least twice a year. Spices are fresh and alpha organized in their own cabinet.

Perhaps the cousin will offer to grocery shop and replace the tossed items for your aunt.