Best Before Date

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#1950005 1-Feb-2018 11:55

KillerHulk:
Would you say same for Dairy Products, say Milk ?

i worked for fonterra, and they use to rubbish all dairy products (or put it aside for the store to decide) if the expiry date is within 2 days.

Would you still consume them if you find any product like this ?

Just like @MikeB4, i wont keep anything that has expired, that is the reason why i am having this discussion over a chewing gum.

Chewing gum hasn’t “expired” once its BB has reached. As has been pointed out, big difference between BB and use by. I’d be amazed if there are any risks to your health from chewing gum after its BB!

As for products like milk, yeah a couple of us have already commented that they can be fine after the BB. Cream can last weeks after its BB.

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#1950007 1-Feb-2018 11:58

jonathan18:
MikeB4: I won't touch anything past it's best by date or expiry date.i check our pantry and fridge on rubbish day each week and dispose of anything beyond those dates.

Wow, this must be a producer's ideal scenario! It's also such a depressing thing seeing otherwise perfectly good food being thrown out (even composting of such food is a waste of resources and money).

I'm happy to consume even short lifespan products past their BB dates, provided they're in good condition. Eg milk - this can go off well before its BB if not stored appropriately, but can be fine days after the BB if stored well. In such cases I'll use the scientific 'sniff test'!

I have a seriously compromised immune system and food poisoning or even higher levels of bacteria etc could prove fatal. On medical advice I take no risks.

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#1950018 1-Feb-2018 12:16

MikeB4:

I have a seriously compromised immune system and food poisoning or even higher levels of bacteria etc could prove fatal. On medical advice I take no risks.

You absolutely need rt be careful. A family member of mine is in a relatable situation, and food hygiene becomes very important.

Mike

vexxxboy

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#1950020 1-Feb-2018 12:16

xpd:

If I've bought an item and its not marked as "past best before" and I find it is past its date, I'll go back and request a "fresh" product.

The dairy underneath work here, sells lots of "past best before" products for $1 each - its great, get an entire pack of Marshmallow Puffs for $1 :D

@vexxxboy Funny you mention them, because all the times Ive been to the one in Rotorua, the stuff is never past its date (sometimes close), it is literally just reduced to clear. :)

if the drinks or chocolate are really cheap then they are.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

MikeAqua

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#1950021 1-Feb-2018 12:18

Fred99:

You should check your fridge when you get home. Milk and cream in my fridge is marked with a "BB" not a use-by, as is a UHT milk pack on the shelf in the pantry.

That is surprising the UHT makes sense but milk, yoghurt and soft cheese should have an expiry date because they can spoil. Perhaps the regs have slackened somewhat. I drink oat milk with is UHT and a 1L cartons only lasts me 2 days.

Mike

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#1950661 2-Feb-2018 11:59

MikeB4:
jonathan18:

MikeB4: I won't touch anything past it's best by date or expiry date.i check our pantry and fridge on rubbish day each week and dispose of anything beyond those dates.

Wow, this must be a producer's ideal scenario! It's also such a depressing thing seeing otherwise perfectly good food being thrown out (even composting of such food is a waste of resources and money).

I'm happy to consume even short lifespan products past their BB dates, provided they're in good condition. Eg milk - this can go off well before its BB if not stored appropriately, but can be fine days after the BB if stored well. In such cases I'll use the scientific 'sniff test'!

I have a seriously compromised immune system and food poisoning or even higher levels of bacteria etc could prove fatal. On medical advice I take no risks.

I think in your situation you are absolutely right to err on the side of caution. Personally, I have always taken this kind of thing with a huge grain of million year-old salt. If it smells okay and isn't furry, I will usually eat it regardless of date. It also depends a little on the kind of product. As always, common sense matters (what is that, you ask?) Being a vegetarian, I don't have to worry about bad meat, though non-meat products can also certainly go bad. But in my 73 years of ignoring food labels I have never experienced even an upset stomach and I have happy eaten my way through regions of the world notorious for felling tourists with bad belly.

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epr

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#1950662 2-Feb-2018 12:06

MikeB4:
jonathan18:

MikeB4: I won't touch anything past it's best by date or expiry date.i check our pantry and fridge on rubbish day each week and dispose of anything beyond those dates.

Wow, this must be a producer's ideal scenario! It's also such a depressing thing seeing otherwise perfectly good food being thrown out (even composting of such food is a waste of resources and money).

I'm happy to consume even short lifespan products past their BB dates, provided they're in good condition. Eg milk - this can go off well before its BB if not stored appropriately, but can be fine days after the BB if stored well. In such cases I'll use the scientific 'sniff test'!

I have a seriously compromised immune system and food poisoning or even higher levels of bacteria etc could prove fatal. On medical advice I take no risks.

Interesting I am on a serious immuno-suppressant for MS and I will have to have a think about this where I am concerned thank you, it has given me food for thought.

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MikeAqua

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#1950673 2-Feb-2018 12:40

epr:

Interesting I am on a serious immuno-suppressant for MS and I will have to have a think about this where I am concerned thank you, it has given me food for thought.

MPI publish a guide to safe eating for people with impaired immune systems

Mike

cadman

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#1950791 2-Feb-2018 16:08

KillerHulk:

Would you say same for Dairy Products, say Milk ?

i worked for fonterra, and they use to rubbish all dairy products (or put it aside for the store to decide) if the expiry date is within 2 days.

Would you still consume them if you find any product like this ?

Just like @MikeB4, i wont keep anything that has expired, that is the reason why i am having this discussion over a chewing gum.

Sniff test is sufficient for dairy products. I'll use them until I detect a hint of spoiling then give it another couple of days max irrespective of the USE BY - I only pay attention to that at the time of purchase. You never know if the bottle of milk you bought at the supermarket was found by an ignorant staff member or member of the public and put back in the fridge after being discarded by a selfish shopper on an unrefrigerated shelf elsewhere.

But chewing gum is basically sugar and gum. The texture will change - the coating, if present, may become brittle. But there's nothing in there that's going to spoil and make you ill. You can tell because it doesn't require refrigeration to prolong it's shelf life even once 'opened'.

MikeB4

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#1950800 2-Feb-2018 16:19

The sniff test for diary is not sufficient, I was advised by my medical advisors to never eat unpasteurised dairy and to avoid milk etc that I have not opened and not to store open for more than a few days as it can become risky very quickly. They stressed that it may look and smell okay but still risky. I also avoid uncooked meats and sea food and only drink filtered water. You can imagine I don't eat out often. My specialist tells me if in doubt throw it out.

cadman

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#1950808 2-Feb-2018 16:37

MikeB4:

The sniff test for diary is not sufficient, I was advised by my medical advisors to never eat unpasteurised dairy and to avoid milk etc that I have not opened and not to store open for more than a few days as it can become risky very quickly. They stressed that it may look and smell okay but still risky. I also avoid uncooked meats and sea food and only drink filtered water. You can imagine I don't eat out often. My specialist tells me if in doubt throw it out.

For your special case, perhaps not. But for me with a normal functioning gut and immune system, it's never been a problem. I allow the cat a sample to determine the state of fresh chicken if I have any suspicions - again, that's been foolproof - I've never been poisoned by food I've prepared myself. I'm also a big fan of Thai 'nam' which is a fermented pork mince often made as a sausage but I do it as a block. After preparation it sits outside the fridge for 3-4 days (more in winter) until it's sour enough (then refrigerated and consumed within about 7-10 days) and is delicious - no need for cooking, although sometimes I enjoy giving it a quick browning in the pan.

Fred99

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#1950861 2-Feb-2018 18:45

cadman:

I allow the cat a sample to determine the state of fresh chicken if I have any suspicions.

Yup. It'd be damned reassuring to know that your chicken doesn't have furballs,

Technofreak

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#1951120 3-Feb-2018 14:28

My test with milk if I have any suspicion it may be dodgy is to pour a small amount into hot (nearly boiling) water. If it doesn't curdle it's good to use.

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#1951140 3-Feb-2018 14:56

MikeAqua:

Fred99:

You should check your fridge when you get home. Milk and cream in my fridge is marked with a "BB" not a use-by, as is a UHT milk pack on the shelf in the pantry.

That is surprising the UHT makes sense but milk, yoghurt and soft cheese should have an expiry date because they can spoil. Perhaps the regs have slackened somewhat. I drink oat milk with is UHT and a 1L cartons only lasts me 2 days.

Our food regulations (particularly around best before and use by dates and the defintions of such) haven't changed significantly since the joint ANZFA food standards came into place in 2001. I spent many years implimenting these in a former life.

Cheese has a best buy and not a use by date because the product will not pose a food safety risk to consume after the date.

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#1951142 3-Feb-2018 15:00

What is the margin on use by? There has to be one.

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