Recipes

[sarahpanda]

Long story short, at church, we saved our 'left over bulk pancake mix' from last years Fat Tuesday pancake supper and stored it in the freezer.  It was thrown out by a church member because it was past it's expiration date but others said that because it was stored in the"" freezer"", it would have been alright and we could have used the rest of it for 'this years' pancake supper..  What's you thoughts on that???  Thanks

[jackthebear]

For public consumption selling it is BAD PR

is probably OK to use, but I think those things may not be so fresh tasting after being in the freezer anyway.

In the future best to buy enough to use up for the function.

[Pook]

There was something out a few years ago about  pancake mix being harmful to use shortly after expiration and it was not like other dry mixes.  It being in the freezer should have stopped it from going bad  but I surely wouldn't chance using it to sell for public consumption.

[millieshops]

@sarahpandaIn my own home, I would have used that mix if it were only a few months out of date - the dates are generally sell by dates, not use by dates.  I know I've used plain flour from my freezer way beyond expiration dates, but mixes have other ingredients I think are less stable.

It was probably okay to use, but there are lots of variables.  One is how the mix was accessed ;last year - was it poured out into bowls or did hands dip into the container? How carefully was the package sealed?    Were there any power failures during the year the mix was in the freezer? 

If I had any doubt, I would have called the company to ask their experiences - and if I still had doubt at all, I, too, would have tossed it.

[Nuttmeg]

The church may want to donate any left over unopened bags to a shelter or a food pantry. 

[Nuttmeg]

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@millieshops wrote:

@sarahpandaIn my own home, I would have used that mix if it were only a few months out of date - the dates are generally sell by dates, not use by dates.  I know I've used plain flour from my freezer way beyond expiration dates, but mixes have other ingredients I think are less stable.

It was probably okay to use, but there are lots of variables.  One is how the mix was accessed ;last year - was it poured out into bowls or did hands dip into the container? How carefully was the package sealed?    Were there any power failures during the year the mix was in the freezer? 

If I had any doubt, I would have called the company to ask their experiences - and if I still had doubt at all, I, too, would have tossed it.

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This is a community event in a church. This supper could be spoiled with one bad tasting batch of pancakes. 

[KYToby]

While in all likelihood it was perfectly safe, the baking powder in the mix would have lost some of its effectivesness resulting in less-tan-optimal results.

[Mothertrucker]

If it were  an all in one mix, like a bisquick, then yes, it containes shortening which can go rancid, and even if frozen can develop an off taste after too long in the freezer.

However, I am sure it would have been "safe" to eat..

If it were at MY house, I would have made a small batch, tasted it, and if OK used it..

In such a public setting, well one or two bad pancakes can ruin the word of mouth for years...

[151949]

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@Nuttmeg wrote:

The church may want to donate any left over unopened bags to a shelter or a food pantry. 

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Food banks do not take out of date food or food that has been opened.

[151949]

Even churches who sell or cook for the public are inspected by the state health department.That pancake mix  could potentially get your kitchen closed down. Since they had a lot left they should have had a pancake breakfast  fundraiser shortly after the pancake supper.