The ham I bought several months ago has "Best before Sepbember 27, 2008" written on the package. However, the package is still unopened and I need it now to make a sandwich for work tomorrow. Is there any danger in consuming the ham?
Expired ham: still edible?
- Thread starter stinkynuts
- Start date
Yes there is a danger. It may even stink when you open it. Regardless, and even given a built-in fudge factor on the manufacturer's part, the product has passed its shelf life and should be discarded. You don't "need" it for a sandwich; you are much better off to buy lunch tomorrow than to consume this dated meat. Toss it.
CapitalGuy said:
You're right. I hate to see it go to waste, but I'm not going to risk getting violently ill over it. Just thought I'd ask, since some foods never seem to expire, especially if the package is unopened.
As far as the dates go, to a degree it depends on the product.
Fresh meat I'd say "no way" if it was even one day past the date
Cooked meat with preservatives like a ham you probably have a couple of weeks of wiggle room - but in your case you're pushing 3 1/2 months past the date so I'd say "no - chuck it out".
Canned goods never used to have dates at all - now they put dates 3 years or so forward. I think canned veggies have a lot of wiggle room seeing as my brother has canned beans in his basement (before dates were put on cans) that have been there 10 years and he eats them with no ill effect.
Also, some soft drinks have dates now - and I think there is a lot of leeway on how long a can of ice tea can last.
Sometimes I come accross a can of coconut milk in the cupboard that has no date and it is past its prime - I can tell when I open it/look at it.
With the ham in your case I'd agree that you shouldn't eat it. You might spend more on Imodium than you save not buying a sandwich at Tim Hortons tomorrow.
Fresh meat I'd say "no way" if it was even one day past the date
Cooked meat with preservatives like a ham you probably have a couple of weeks of wiggle room - but in your case you're pushing 3 1/2 months past the date so I'd say "no - chuck it out".
Canned goods never used to have dates at all - now they put dates 3 years or so forward. I think canned veggies have a lot of wiggle room seeing as my brother has canned beans in his basement (before dates were put on cans) that have been there 10 years and he eats them with no ill effect.
Also, some soft drinks have dates now - and I think there is a lot of leeway on how long a can of ice tea can last.
Sometimes I come accross a can of coconut milk in the cupboard that has no date and it is past its prime - I can tell when I open it/look at it.
With the ham in your case I'd agree that you shouldn't eat it. You might spend more on Imodium than you save not buying a sandwich at Tim Hortons tomorrow.
Hmm... I'd say not worth the risk. Personally, I'd eat it. But I've eaten 'off' and raw meat. Perhaps my stomach is just abnormally strong. If you are really curious, go with the gut(no pun intended) instinct. Open the package and let your nose be the guide. I do it all the time with any meat I have while hunting. Then again, I'm pushing my luck. Haven't been sick off of bad meat, yet. Though I did once get food poisoning from salad at Wendy's.
the dates being referred to in this thread cover:
"best by"
"sell by"
"use by"
each have their own specific function.
I assume yours was a fully cooked ham and if so it most likely has a "use or freeze by" date.
"best by"
"sell by"
"use by"
each have their own specific function.
I assume yours was a fully cooked ham and if so it most likely has a "use or freeze by" date.
"Best before" does not mean "poisonous after.". -
Do what I do with SPs: Open it up and take a nice long whiff. How's it smell?
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Hell, its 07:09:55 now. I guess you've made your decision by now.
Do what I do with SPs: Open it up and take a nice long whiff. How's it smell?
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Hell, its 07:09:55 now. I guess you've made your decision by now.
Invite your mother in law over for lunch and feed her the ham. If she's still alive tomorrow, then you're good to go.
But buy lunch today...
But buy lunch today...
