jitkaau

Never. The use by date is just a guide. We can all sniff it and see if it all right.

Latrinka

I think it mostly depends on what it is and how it is packaged. I do pay attention to exp dates, when shopping, I'll reach to the back to get the "freshest"! Most things, if in doubt, I'll smell, but usually chunk if in doubt. Really picky about sandwich meat, even before checking date, I smell and feel, if it don't smell right or it's slimy, it is definitely chunked. I hate wasting also, but I'd rather go hungry than to get sick on bad food. JMHO

tessagin

Same thing I do. We both got food poisoning at the same time but from a restaurant. Don't want to go through that again. Therefore when in doubt! One thing I have started doing the past few months, often it's hard to find the expiration date. So when I do I mark it on the label in permanent marker. Easier to see at a glance!

maviskw

I don't worry too much about expiration dates, but our food pantries are not allowed to pass this food on. If the sell by date is passed they MUST throw it out. Maybe I can understand this, but I surely don't do that.

A few years back, we were at a camp ground, about to stay for three days, when I found a bag of Kwik Trip milk under the front seat. It had rolled there, and I never missed it. It had been there for a week or two in the hot summer time, and the bag was inflated and seemed about to burst. I took it to the camp office to let them dispose of it, but I was very sorry that I didn't have a container along that I could take this very sour milk home. My DSIL thought that was disgusting, but he doesn't know that sour milk is used in a lot of cooking; in pies and cakes, and in a lot of delicious things. Soured millk is actually good for you until it turns pink. That's when it needs to go OUT.

ArchaicArcane

Please be careful with certain things though. For instance, in Canada right now, there's a recall on mushrooms for possible Listeria contamination. The recall specifically states: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-th.../1433730071945

mcdaniel023

I have worked in food service for 25 years. Food may smell and look fine and be capable of making you sick if you taste it. This is especially true for the elderly, those with compromised immune systems and small children. In my house and at work an expiration date is followed. Best by dates, I just use common sense.

jaly3162

I am very careful about spoiled meat. If I am even one bit unsure, I throw it out. I hate having food poisoning.

coopah

Thanks for that. We buy the foil packages of taco sauce and other seasonings. They last indefinitely. So one day I came home to find that my cleaning lady had tossed all of them with expred dates on them. Must have thrown out $30 worth!! She was trying to help me stay organized...so I never said anything, but geeze, Louise! So thanks for this! I"m sending it to her. Now that I'm retired, no cleaning lady, so no worries about the foil seasoning packets.

maviskw

The link to food scraps shows us what to save, and mentions seeds of pumpkin and squash. I save not only the seed but all the gunk that surrounds them. You eat that stuff in cucumbers and zucchini, and it is good food. I put all of this into the blender with about a cup or two of water and blend until liquified. Then it is used in making breads. Add it as part of the liquid. The bread tastes wonderful.

tuckyquilter

I agree, I do a smell/taste test. and go from there. I do try to "manage" canned/pkg foods in that I write the date I purchased in black sharpie on the label and pull the older cans to the front of the cabinet. I don't keep tons of food on hand like I did when the kids were at home. I hate wasting anything: food, fabric paper etc.