[greenflash245]

no no, get rid of it

[Carla B]

Originally Posted by Bjeanj

I am as guilty as the next person about not checking expiration dates. After reading your question, I checked with my best friend, Google, and found this handy website:

StillTasty: Your Ultimate Shelf Life Guide - Save Money, Eat Better, Help The Environment

I think this will answer more questions than asked.

Thank You, Thank You, Bjeanj,for this. I bookmarked it. One of us is for throwing aged food out, the other for keeping it. Funny, we never had these disagreements when he was Working. For example, he doesn't think dairy products ever go bad by the expiration date even when opened. Now with your reference we have a neutral source to support the discussions.

[Scorpyo]

Frugality vs wisdom. When shopping I look at prices. For instance mayonnaise. A 16 oz jar may cost $2.00 and an 8 oz jar may be $1.25. Don't fact check I'm just using easy numbers as an example. Which did I usually buy? The $2.00 one of course. I'm saving per serving. In a year I used it maybe 3 times and wound up throwing out 1/2 to 3/4 of the jar. So now I'm a little wiser (a little not a lot). I buy the smaller quantity of stuff I may not use a lot of - 1 bottle of salad dressing instead of 12 different flavors, 1 jar of mustard instead of 4 (Dijon, Yellow, Spicy Brown and Chinese Hot). If and when I use up the one bottle or jar than I can get another or some other flavor. I have an unopened jar of Gold's Horseradish which was hard to find. Had to have it. If you're going to use Horseradish that's the one to get. After 2 or 3 years it's changed color even though it's unopened. I guess that's an indication of something. So, throw the expired stuff away. Only replace it when you actually need it and don't buy the replacement at Costco or Sam's. You'll have a hard time using up that 55 gallons can of Worcestershire sauce.
As for the statement "when in doubt throw it out". That concerns me a little. My wife keeps checking me out for an expiration date. She can't find one but she's starting to doubt. Should I be concerned?

[Sugar952]

If he’s cleaning out the fridge let him , when he’s done tell him the bathrooms are next then the floors could use a vacuum and mop ,then there’s the dusting and laundry and ask what he’s making for dinner

[Nipper]

If you've ever had food poisoning, then you would know that it's not worth taking a chance eating food that is past due in the refrigerator.

[KRM0614]

Hubby ? Check consistency the latest date is 3 years or 3 years from best purchased date

[Stephen]

In the pantry I toss just about anything that’s expired. In the refrigerator, not as much. Stuff never seems to get old enough.

[Carl99]

Originally Posted by Henryk

Hubby and I are having a ... uh, a discussion. He's cleaning out the refrig and wants to toss stuff with a past date. I say it isn't necessary for things like:

A-1 Sauce
Chicken soup base
Hot sauces
Ketchup

I say that even thought the label says "best by 2016" there are so many preservatives (read: salt) that they won't spoil. What do you think?

I’ve never thrown away any food because of the taste best if used by date , the only food that has an expiration date is baby food . I have a friend that was getting rid of a bunch of food, so I took it, it was great .

[chrissy2231]

Penny wise, dollar foolish

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Bay Kid

Checking the expiration date requires glasses....

sometimes a magnifying glass

[Alicat5977]

My number 1 rule for food is:
When in doubt, throw it out out. It’s always better to be safe then sorry. Good luck with the debate.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Scorpyo

As for the statement "when in doubt throw it out". That concerns me a little. My wife keeps checking me out for an expiration date. She can't find one but she's starting to doubt. Should I be concerned?

Hmm is that why there are so many widows around here?

[Leonora]

I’m with you Ryk.

[riley2011]

Originally Posted by Henryk

Hubby and I are having a ... uh, a discussion. He's cleaning out the refrig and wants to toss stuff with a past date. I say it isn't necessary for things like:

A-1 Sauce
Chicken soup base
Hot sauces
Ketchup

I say that even thought the label says "best by 2016" there are so many preservatives (read: salt) that they won't spoil. What do you think?

Tell him to get out of the refrigerator. Many times those dates mean nothing.

[wereback]

I found a way for the pantry on New Years eve I use a sharpie and write the year on all the items in it they are than used first. seldom are any left on the next new years eve.