topic Need an honest answer here.... in Community Chat

Need an honest answer here....

sophiamarie — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 16:39:43 GMT

I know this is stupid and I should know better but I decided that since we have over a half gallon of milk that is going to be "bad" in a few days, I would make some pudding. I found two boxes of "Lemon" and "Cheesecake" puddings and made them. Now, my husband, as he was throwing the boxes in the recycle bin, tells me they say "best if used by 2011"..... Does that powder really go bad OR does it mean that it just won't taste as great if it were fresher??????

Should I throw it all away and start over again?????

Re: Need an honest answer here....

PickyInPA — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 16:49:11 GMT

I wouldn't eat it since the expiration was 5 years ago. I heard a couple years ago about people getting sick eating pancakes made from expired mix. Something about the ingredients breaking down after a period of time & becoming toxic. Not worth getting sick & ending up in the hospital to save the couple dollars to buy new. You could probably google "consuming expired foods" to get a more accurate answer.

Re: Need an honest answer here....

LIndaMJ — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 16:53:15 GMT

My motto in a situation like this is "if in doubt, throw it out"😀

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GCR18 — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 17:01:22 GMT

If something has an expiration date, I go by it. Doesn't matter if it smells okay, etc.

Re: Need an honest answer here....

chrystaltree — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 17:02:53 GMT

It's 5 years beyond the "use by" date. Throw it away. Why take chances? I go through my cabinets around Thanksgiving every year and toss the old stuff out. Something like that would never happen to me. This is also why I don't eat food prepared by people I don't know...very well.

Re: Need an honest answer here....

jaxs mom — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 17:08:33 GMT

Dates on packages are complicated. There are ones that are basically pull by dates for stores, such as on milk. It doesn't mean the milk is bad after that date. They just can't legally sell it. Most expiration dates on packaged foods aren't required by law and are there to encourage you to throw away items and buy new ones. Best buy dates generally mean that the flavor could be reduced after the date. So will the dry milk powder, sugar and flavoring in instant pudding make you sick 5 years later, no I don't think it will. Will it taste good? I don't know, you'd have to taste it and see.

Re: Need an honest answer here....

sophiamarie — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 17:09:24 GMT

Thanks ladies. It's gone...... I bought Jello yesterday and will make that instead......

Re: Need an honest answer here....

jaxs mom — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 17:10:49 GMT

Here are some links you might find helpful

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2015/10/is-expired-food-safe-to-eat/index.htm

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/do-food-expiration-dates-matter

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/food-labeling/food-product-dating/food-product-dating

Re: Need an honest answer here....

chrystaltree — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 17:14:40 GMT

@jaxs mom wrote:
Dates on packages are complicated. There are ones that are basically pull by dates for stores, such as on milk. It doesn't mean the milk is bad after that date. They just can't legally sell it. Most expiration dates on packaged foods aren't required by law and are there to encourage you to throw away items and buy new ones. Best buy dates generally mean that the flavor could be reduced after the date. So will the dry milk powder, sugar and flavoring in instant pudding make you sick 5 years later, no I don't think it will. Will it taste good? I don't know, you'd have to taste it and see.

There's nothing complicated about 5 years old...lol The chances of some ****** that's that ancient making someone sick is rather high and since pudding is cheaper than dirt. Why risk it? That it won't taste good when it's that old is pretty much a no brainer.

Re: Need an honest answer here....

sophiamarie — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 17:15:28 GMT

I don't ever eat food prepared by anyone other than myself. I am not even fond of going to restaurants (even the 5* ones) because we all know what goes on in their kitchens. I have a neighbor who is so picky about everything - she even wipes her little dog's feet (a Bichon) every single time she takes her out (about 20x a day) because she doesn't want her carpet to get ruined....... Anyway, she will eat food given to her by co-workers, other neighbors, etc..... Ugh

Anyway, the pudding is down the drain. Hubby tasted the Lemon and said it was "really good" but I told him to let it go and I'll get more. As someone here said - better safe than sorry.

Thanks again. Consider yourselves "hearted".......

Re: Need an honest answer here....

Pearlee — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 17:36:56 GMT

I agree that was too old to eat, but for future reference, a "best by" date isn't the same thing as an expiration date. I definitely eat foods past a "best by" date.

Re: Need an honest answer here....

Moonchilde — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 17:38:58 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
@jaxs mom wrote:
Dates on packages are complicated. There are ones that are basically pull by dates for stores, such as on milk. It doesn't mean the milk is bad after that date. They just can't legally sell it. Most expiration dates on packaged foods aren't required by law and are there to encourage you to throw away items and buy new ones. Best buy dates generally mean that the flavor could be reduced after the date. So will the dry milk powder, sugar and flavoring in instant pudding make you sick 5 years later, no I don't think it will. Will it taste good? I don't know, you'd have to taste it and see.

There's nothing complicated about 5 years old...lol The chances of some ****** that's that ancient making someone sick is rather high and since pudding is cheaper than dirt. Why risk it? That it won't taste good when it's that old is pretty much a no brainer.

Such a charming way to express what is, after all, simple disagreement. And completely unnecessary.

Re: Need an honest answer here....

Shorty2U — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 17:42:00 GMT

I wouldnt have eaten it, so you did the right thing.

But I just wanted to add, my husband has often eaten outdated things (from a year ago not 5), and leftovers past 5 days and has never gotten sick! (If Id eat it Id probably get sick). So I have become viligant about checking foods and using them. If they werent used and are outdated I now toss them before he gets his hands on them! (lol).

Re: Need an honest answer here....

Tinkrbl44 — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 17:45:34 GMT

@sophiamarie

I guess you don't make pudding very often, lol. This might be a good time to inventory everything in your pantry and check all the dates .... it's quite possible that it's not the only thing with an older "Use by" date.

Depending on the item, those dates can mean "Sell By" .... or "Best By" ..... or "Use By".

Re: Need an honest answer here....

Moonchilde — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 17:48:02 GMT

I have on occasion used outdated items, but not 5 years; that I wouldn't consider because even if it wasn't harmful it would probably not taste as it should. One thing that surprises me is how awful drinks like Coke, Pepsi, 7-Up, etc. taste after they go bad. Ewww..... I think the oldest I've used something from the cupboard is maybe a year and a half, depending on what it was.

Re: Need an honest answer here....

hckynut — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 17:53:37 GMT

I would throw it out. The risk of getting sick is not worth spending a few bucks to buy fresher ingredients.

hnj

Re: Need an honest answer here....

sophiamarie — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 18:14:27 GMT

I used to make puddings, cakes, etc., almost every day when I had a houseful of kids but they are living elsewhere now. These days, when they come to visit, they bring me cakes, cookies, chocolates, etc..... so I really don't have anything out-dated because I check cans and boxes before I use anything. I don't know how I missed these boxes.

According to the links Jax sent, it seems as tho the "best if used by" date really doesn't mean much, except for quality. Someone on a message board said it could be eaten years and years later with no harmful effects. I think the "expiration" date is the most important one but best to be safe anyway.

Thanks again everyone. I'll keep y'all updated on hubby's condition since he had a spoonful of the lemon pudding. We're keeping a watchful eye on him and are taking his pulse hourly.....

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Perkup — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 18:41:00 GMT

Hopefully there won't be any issues with your DH. I did read a couple of years ago that any boxed cake mix, pudding, etc. should never be eaten after the expiration date. I wish I could recall the exact reason, but it was a very strong suggestion. I am suresomeone can find the information. I had a couple of cake mixes that I pitched. But I checkthe pantry twice a year for packaaged and canned goods, as well as beverages.

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KentuckyWoman — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 19:55:08 GMT

I donate canned and boxed foods to our local food pantry. I told the manager some of the canned fruits were a couple of months past the use by date. She told me the government gave them a list to use and that helps them determine what they can safely hand out to families and what they should destroy. She said they haven't had any issues. However, I don't think I would eat any items that were five years past the use by dates. It's probably okay but who knows? Better safe than sorry.

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MomCat — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 20:48:59 GMT

I'm laughing. I thought I was bad about this stuff. At 5 years, you have me beat. I think you did right by tossing it. Might have been ok, but it doesn't taste as good when you are focused on that expiration date. I have some pudding that has gone over the 1 year mark. I'll use it quickly now. Glad you reminded me. Thanks.