topic Re: Question about cream cheese and use by date in Kitchen

Question about cream cheese and use by date

JustJules — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 18:51:36 GMT

I have an 8oz brick of Philly cream cheese in my refrigerator that has a use by date of Feb 2014. For whatever reason, I forgot about it and didn't use it, but now I have a recipe that requires cream cheese. Can I still use it? It's been refrigerated the whole time in my little deli drawer, never been opened so it's still in that little tinfoil cover. I know it's part dairy, but cheese items last longer, and it's only 4 months. I'm usually pretty good about using things before their "expiration" dates, but I haven't done as much cooking lately the past few months because of family stuff. I know it's a cheap item and easy to toss and my a new one, just curious if anyone has used cream cheese a few months beyond, or thoughts on it. Obviously when I open it, if it looks compromised I won't use it. Oh, and I am just cooking for me, nobody else... so if it were bad, I would be the only one to get sick.

Re: Question about cream cheese and use by date

terrier3 — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 18:53:32 GMT

Are you feeling lucky today?

Re: Question about cream cheese and use by date

Kachina624 — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 18:57:56 GMT

I would use it as long as it hasn't been opened. Stuff like that is sterile and will keep for months.

Re: Question about cream cheese and use by date

JustJules — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 18:58:39 GMT

On 6/12/2014 terrier3 said:
Are you feeling lucky today?

I'm rarely lucky... so I guess that is a NO? I'll go buy fresh cream cheese. LOL

Re: Question about cream cheese and use by date

ahoymate — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 18:58:53 GMT

Smell, taste test. Good luck.

Re: Question about cream cheese and use by date

chrystaltree — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 19:01:25 GMT

I don't think it would harm you. It's many months past the "use by" date, my concern would be with the taste.

Re: Question about cream cheese and use by date

Mominohio — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 19:03:31 GMT

We have often used cream cheese 4 or 5 months beyond the date, and it works and tastes just fine.

Re: Question about cream cheese and use by date

FunkyHulaGirl — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 19:04:00 GMT

I've used cream cheese beyond it's "use by" date - as long as it's in the sealed, airtight package it should be fine.

Re: Question about cream cheese and use by date

terrier3 — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 19:04:05 GMT

On 6/12/2014 Jules5280 said:
On 6/12/2014 terrier3 said:
Are you feeling lucky today?

I'm rarely lucky... so I guess that is a NO? I'll go buy fresh cream cheese. LOL

That's what I would do.

I have a friend who makes and sells yogurt from ""happy cows."" He can tell you what
the cows were eating when the yogurt was made...

Anyway - he has eaten (and survived) yogurt ONE YEAR past the sell by date. He says it just gets thicker and cheesier.

Re: Question about cream cheese and use by date

tkins — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 19:13:17 GMT

Hi Jules5280,

No, I would not use it. According to my favorite food expiration information website, a block of unopened foil wrapped cream cheese is only good for one month after the date on the package. Don't feel bad, looks like I got a couple to toss myself.

Here is a link to the website I mentioned above, it is a great resource.

http://stilltasty.com/

And of course you can always go by the old saying When in Doubt Don't.

tkins

Re: Question about cream cheese and use by date

beckyb1012 — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 19:20:24 GMT

I have really good luck with a couple of bricks that were a couple of months past the date. But one time the smell just about knocked me down when I opened it. I am not sure how much time went past the date. No fuzzy green stuff showing either. If crème cheese smells even a little you will know. If it smells fine, looks fine, and a fingertip taste is fine just go for it.

Re: Question about cream cheese and use by date

JustJules — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 19:25:28 GMT

Thanks for all the input.... guess I won't risk it, sounds like it could be fine or might not be.

Thank you tkins for that link, I will bookmark it. Like I said in my OP, I rarely keep things past their expiration date, especially when it comes to dairy, but for some reason I wondered if this little tinfoil package of cream cheese might be okay. Like you said, better to be safe than sorry.

Re: Question about cream cheese and use by date

CouponQueen — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 19:49:26 GMT

Seriously I wouldn't!

I may slide a few days but not a few months - especially on dairy products like that..

It isn't worth the risk for a couple bucks ..

Re: Question about cream cheese and use by date

JustJules — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 19:56:25 GMT

Okay, so just out of curiosity, because that is how I am.... I opened it. I couldn't just toss it without knowing. It was in tact, not watery, didn't smell bad, tasted it and it tasted like normal cream cheese. Now, that doesn't mean there wasn't bacteria at work in there... but I didn't notice any decay. I had already told myself just go buy a new one so it's in the garbage, and I don't take food out of the garbage. So I guess the jury is out... I might have been safe to use it, but it was probably pushing the limit.

Again. appreciate all the input.

Re: Question about cream cheese and use by date

qualitygal — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 19:58:50 GMT

I wouldn't, I'd want new and fresh anyway to make the food taste great. Nah, I wouldn't use it.

Re: Question about cream cheese and use by date

JustJules — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 20:02:00 GMT

Can't use it now problem solved.

Re: Question about cream cheese and use by date

luvdoodles — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 21:01:03 GMT

No way would I eat it. When in doubt toss it out. Next time try buying the smaller bricks bars. Not worth to risk in my opinion.

Re: Question about cream cheese and use by date

RetRN — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 21:37:17 GMT

There's probably a reason they put those ""use by"" dates on food items. I would throw it out.

Re: Question about cream cheese and use by date

stilltamn8r — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 21:40:02 GMT

Done it, and even longer...lived to tell about it with no ill effects!! Open and take aloe and whiff, if not dried out (rarely happens now that they under wrap in foil) and not moly or too liquids, it's fine!!!

Re: Question about cream cheese and use by date

JustJules — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 21:47:15 GMT

On 6/12/2014 luvpoos said:
No way would I eat it. When in doubt toss it out. Next time try buying the smaller bricks bars. Not worth to risk in my opinion.

I only bought an 8oz size which is what is normally required in most recipes. I just didn't use it in time.... I am not aware of any smaller brick bars, but it wouldn't have helped me regardless.