Kitchen

[bonnielu]

I was decluttering and I found some stored  food way beyond the date.  I am aware if it were cereal it would be no good (for example).  I found salad dressing sealed and wrapped and a sealed large container of chocolate-capacino powder.  Both were 2011.  I know I should have looked or found it sooner.  Should I just toss them out?                                            

[Peaches McPhee]

Yes.  Six years old is too old.

[candys mine]

Just toss them out.

[bonnielu]

I will toss them out.  What was I thinking!!!  I guess I just did not notice.  It is a large pantry and I just was storing thinking of a harsh winter and really paid no attention. 

[NicksmomESQ]

@bonnielu I would toss the items.Expiration dates are unregulated & somewhat arbitrary.Depending on the item I might go a year passed the expiration date.Because these are food items I wouldn't take any chances.Over time ingredients can break down & bacteria can get in.It's better to be safe than sorry.

[pommom]

The cost of seeing a doctor for food poisoning far exceeds the cost of these items.  Pitch them.

[millieshops]

I rarely care about a month or two or three, but 6 years???  I'd have to be desperate enough to also be dumpster diving for my food.  I vote to toss them.

[dex]

@bonnielu I would toss something that was that old but I did read that we toss out too much good food because of those dates.They are going to try to change that but I can't remember all of the details.I had a can that was a year past date and decided that the can looked fine so I opened and dumped contents out to inspect them and the cans interior...all looked well so I decided to eat it.We were fine but prior to reading that article I would have tossed that.I wouldn't say that the nutritional content was as high as if consumed before the date though.

[fthunt]

The old saying............when in doubt - throw it out.

Heck, I trash can soups - broth - some veggies every Fall when I go throw my winter stock.  No guilt here for throwing food out cuz I'm mighty glad to have supplies on hand when a blizzard hits. 

[Nightowlz]

Trash it that stuff is old. If you had ever had food poisoning before you would not have to ask that. I have had it so I don't eat old food or food left sitting on the counter too long or foods that have been in the refrigerator too long etc.

Trust me you don't want food poisoning.