When food is actually too old to eat
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Date: 2025-03-30
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Comments and reviews: 20
Angi_Mathochist
Dried pasta and other dried foods will get rancid after a while. My nose isn't very good for that smell -- rancid often just smells kind of dusty to me -- so I often have to have someone else smell things for me to feel if they're rancid.
Baking mixes will stop rising.
Salt is a rock, she, and the salt will still be salt. But if it's been treated with iodine -- and salt is the only source of needed dietary iodine for most humans -- the iodine won't necessarily stay good forever. So using that treated salt 10 or 20 years after it was made may mean you're not getting your iodine.
Same with other vitamin and mineral treatments put in foods. If the food is old it may still taste good but you can't count on it having the full nutritional content, especially with regard to any artificially added vitamins and minerals. Those may have degraded even more than the natural ones in the food itself. That doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't eat it. Just be aware that it might not be ideal nutrition.
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Dried pasta and other dried foods will get rancid after a while. My nose isn't very good for that smell -- rancid often just smells kind of dusty to me -- so I often have to have someone else smell things for me to feel if they're rancid.
Baking mixes will stop rising.
Salt is a rock, she, and the salt will still be salt. But if it's been treated with iodine -- and salt is the only source of needed dietary iodine for most humans -- the iodine won't necessarily stay good forever. So using that treated salt 10 or 20 years after it was made may mean you're not getting your iodine.
Same with other vitamin and mineral treatments put in foods. If the food is old it may still taste good but you can't count on it having the full nutritional content, especially with regard to any artificially added vitamins and minerals. Those may have degraded even more than the natural ones in the food itself. That doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't eat it. Just be aware that it might not be ideal nutrition.
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PiPArtemis
I read that most best by/best before dates are largely suggestions based on how long they can guarantee the product in its sealed, on the shelf state and that for a lot of things you have anywhere from a few days to a few weeks before flavor diminishes or the product actually begins to spoil. Curious to see how that belief holds up over the course of this video
Skepticism & the ol' nose test have served me well thus far (as well as a few years commercial kitchen experience) and typically as long as everything LOOKS correct, and SMELLS how it ought to I give it a go.
This morning, in fact, I opened a sealed container of sliced chicken breast for sandwich meat. Teeeeechnically it went bad on March 5 but since it was kept cold & sealed everything checked out with it. Smelled right & tasted right. I'll find out in the next day or two if I was correct or not
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I read that most best by/best before dates are largely suggestions based on how long they can guarantee the product in its sealed, on the shelf state and that for a lot of things you have anywhere from a few days to a few weeks before flavor diminishes or the product actually begins to spoil. Curious to see how that belief holds up over the course of this video
Skepticism & the ol' nose test have served me well thus far (as well as a few years commercial kitchen experience) and typically as long as everything LOOKS correct, and SMELLS how it ought to I give it a go.
This morning, in fact, I opened a sealed container of sliced chicken breast for sandwich meat. Teeeeechnically it went bad on March 5 but since it was kept cold & sealed everything checked out with it. Smelled right & tasted right. I'll find out in the next day or two if I was correct or not
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r3koFresh
it's not just a biological issue, there can be migration of contaminants from the packaging to the product.
That's the case for basically every packaging with recycled cardboard and or plastic liners. Can be a problem with softeners, mineraloils etc. big topic in the industrie right now.
A lot of the big lab equipment manufacturers are pushing the analytical equipment for these contaminants, as more papers are released and different countries around the world are ajusting their food laws accordingly.
Maybe visit an analytical expo and you can see for yourself.
Also, some foods are not dangerous after expiration date, just taste gross. Happens for example with things like fats and oils.
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it's not just a biological issue, there can be migration of contaminants from the packaging to the product.
That's the case for basically every packaging with recycled cardboard and or plastic liners. Can be a problem with softeners, mineraloils etc. big topic in the industrie right now.
A lot of the big lab equipment manufacturers are pushing the analytical equipment for these contaminants, as more papers are released and different countries around the world are ajusting their food laws accordingly.
Maybe visit an analytical expo and you can see for yourself.
Also, some foods are not dangerous after expiration date, just taste gross. Happens for example with things like fats and oils.
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OneTheAndOnlyOne
Years back I ate some yoghurt and it tasted like dirt (the last part of it, exactly like dirt. It also was black on the bottom. I didn't notice for some reason, untill I got to the black part and I tasted the dirt. I didn't get sick, but got a bad taste.
I tried some medicine that was like 6 years past experation date, it still worked (I had a mayor toothache in the midle of the night and found the medicine somewhere in my house) and didn't got sick.
I sometimes have eaten some bread that was blue and green and what not(on the other side of the bread LOL. I didn't get sick. The only times I got sick from food was with fresh food, rotten/spoiled food never made me sick.
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Years back I ate some yoghurt and it tasted like dirt (the last part of it, exactly like dirt. It also was black on the bottom. I didn't notice for some reason, untill I got to the black part and I tasted the dirt. I didn't get sick, but got a bad taste.
I tried some medicine that was like 6 years past experation date, it still worked (I had a mayor toothache in the midle of the night and found the medicine somewhere in my house) and didn't got sick.
I sometimes have eaten some bread that was blue and green and what not(on the other side of the bread LOL. I didn't get sick. The only times I got sick from food was with fresh food, rotten/spoiled food never made me sick.
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lancemckenzie1074
No, food companies are not doing an open ended test of all shelf life times up until it expires. They will test generally through an accelerated test with higher humidity and temperature calculated to be reflected out to a Target shelf life time. So, they will have only e. g. three data points of 12mth, 18mth, 24mth and the claimed shelf life on the box is the test that was passed successfully, which is the test they have documentary evidence for. They don't extrapolate out the level of growth say between say 12mth and 18mth to say Ehhhh it'll last until 16. 5mth because that is a prediction and not substantiated with an empirical observation.
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No, food companies are not doing an open ended test of all shelf life times up until it expires. They will test generally through an accelerated test with higher humidity and temperature calculated to be reflected out to a Target shelf life time. So, they will have only e. g. three data points of 12mth, 18mth, 24mth and the claimed shelf life on the box is the test that was passed successfully, which is the test they have documentary evidence for. They don't extrapolate out the level of growth say between say 12mth and 18mth to say Ehhhh it'll last until 16. 5mth because that is a prediction and not substantiated with an empirical observation.
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andrewbevan3933
I’ve never taken expiration dates as gospel, but as a very conservative guideline, from which to then apply common sense. Similarly, I’ve never been squeamish about eating leftovers or opened containers older than most people would risk. Surely at times I’ve consumed food that is slightly spoiled, but have I ever experienced any negative effects from eating bad food. My theory is that a lifetime of this has exposed me to many things in small amounts that have strengthened my immunity. Conversely, going through life avoiding anything questionable leaves you vulnerable to getting sick in case you do eat something slightly off.
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I’ve never taken expiration dates as gospel, but as a very conservative guideline, from which to then apply common sense. Similarly, I’ve never been squeamish about eating leftovers or opened containers older than most people would risk. Surely at times I’ve consumed food that is slightly spoiled, but have I ever experienced any negative effects from eating bad food. My theory is that a lifetime of this has exposed me to many things in small amounts that have strengthened my immunity. Conversely, going through life avoiding anything questionable leaves you vulnerable to getting sick in case you do eat something slightly off.
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aragusea
Coca-cola has a date on it, we always figured that it's not when it goes bad, it's when it starts eating through the can. and having tried a few canned goods past their dates, after about a year, chef boyardee starts tasting more like the can than the pasta. Only twice have I had cans that started to bulge, those get depressurized as safely as possible and then composted.
My way of minimizing food waste is to recognize that only certain vegetables are to be bought fresh, anything else should be bought frozen or it's just going to get forgotten. And any fresh meat not consumed within a reasonable amount of time gets frozen.
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Coca-cola has a date on it, we always figured that it's not when it goes bad, it's when it starts eating through the can. and having tried a few canned goods past their dates, after about a year, chef boyardee starts tasting more like the can than the pasta. Only twice have I had cans that started to bulge, those get depressurized as safely as possible and then composted.
My way of minimizing food waste is to recognize that only certain vegetables are to be bought fresh, anything else should be bought frozen or it's just going to get forgotten. And any fresh meat not consumed within a reasonable amount of time gets frozen.
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timseguine2
I have often had spoiled food that was not even close to the expiration date despite being stored correctly by me. That's why I feel like as an adult it is an essential skill anyway to be able to recognize spoilage. And because I feel that way, I tend to pretty much entirely ignore the dates on food I already own. I might be slightly more suspicious of something if it is older.
I can understand being wary, and I can understand that some people don't have the skill. But if you don't develop the skill you are probably going to get food poisoning eventually while eating something that isn't even past its date.
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I have often had spoiled food that was not even close to the expiration date despite being stored correctly by me. That's why I feel like as an adult it is an essential skill anyway to be able to recognize spoilage. And because I feel that way, I tend to pretty much entirely ignore the dates on food I already own. I might be slightly more suspicious of something if it is older.
I can understand being wary, and I can understand that some people don't have the skill. But if you don't develop the skill you are probably going to get food poisoning eventually while eating something that isn't even past its date.
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DavidWRankinJr
Some US states do require best by or sell by dates, and because it’s a pain to track multiple versions of the product. Some states require all groceries have a best by date, even for products that make no sense (purified bottled water.
Most companies calculate best by using rapid aging methods and then extrapolating that to a calendar date. Then they round down.
The US Army calculated extended life dates for a lot of medications and canned foods, because they have stockpiles of both. Most medicines and sealed foods have a lot longer shelf life than the tested dated (except antibiotics.
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Some US states do require best by or sell by dates, and because it’s a pain to track multiple versions of the product. Some states require all groceries have a best by date, even for products that make no sense (purified bottled water.
Most companies calculate best by using rapid aging methods and then extrapolating that to a calendar date. Then they round down.
The US Army calculated extended life dates for a lot of medications and canned foods, because they have stockpiles of both. Most medicines and sealed foods have a lot longer shelf life than the tested dated (except antibiotics.
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stephenlabarre7890
Most acidic foods (low pH) such as pickles, sauerkraut and tomatoes are less likely to have the botulism toxin. Other canned/jarred foods such as canned carrots or green beans are at a greater risk because their pH is higher. When in doubt about a food product's safety, cook the doo-doo out of it because higher temps can destroy the toxin. Of course not all foods susceptible to the toxin can be (or should be) 'cooked' at the temperature or duration necessary to eliminate the threat. When in doubt, throw it out.
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Most acidic foods (low pH) such as pickles, sauerkraut and tomatoes are less likely to have the botulism toxin. Other canned/jarred foods such as canned carrots or green beans are at a greater risk because their pH is higher. When in doubt about a food product's safety, cook the doo-doo out of it because higher temps can destroy the toxin. Of course not all foods susceptible to the toxin can be (or should be) 'cooked' at the temperature or duration necessary to eliminate the threat. When in doubt, throw it out.
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theothertonydutch
Supermarkets in my town have an expiry box, where stuff that expires on the very day is sold at a discount. It's saving me lots of money and I can try stuff I don't nornally try because it is too expensive. If you go about half an hour before closing time, you'll be able to find stuff that expires the next day and the box tends to be more full in the evening because of that. Once had a kilo of steak for 4 euros. Made a stew with that and a bunch of other stuff that lasted me 4 days.
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Supermarkets in my town have an expiry box, where stuff that expires on the very day is sold at a discount. It's saving me lots of money and I can try stuff I don't nornally try because it is too expensive. If you go about half an hour before closing time, you'll be able to find stuff that expires the next day and the box tends to be more full in the evening because of that. Once had a kilo of steak for 4 euros. Made a stew with that and a bunch of other stuff that lasted me 4 days.
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kevinfreitas8897
My parents owned a store starting around the time i was born. There have been many products that had passed its expiration date that we’ve consumed/used and we’ve never had any issues. That being said, there are exceptions such as milk like he said but you honestly need to give your nose, eyes and tongue credit here because those are the indicators our ancestors used long before companies told us when it’s safe to eat certain foods and we’re still here
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My parents owned a store starting around the time i was born. There have been many products that had passed its expiration date that we’ve consumed/used and we’ve never had any issues. That being said, there are exceptions such as milk like he said but you honestly need to give your nose, eyes and tongue credit here because those are the indicators our ancestors used long before companies told us when it’s safe to eat certain foods and we’re still here
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ouroborosrecords
I get the concept of a manufacturer wanting you to throw the product out so you buy more, makes sense in theory but give it just a little more thought.
What person on this planet has something sitting in their pantry for more than 3 years, and then decides they need to buy more after they've thrown it out If they haven't consumed it in 3 years they aren't going to buy it again just to throw it out in another 3 years.
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I get the concept of a manufacturer wanting you to throw the product out so you buy more, makes sense in theory but give it just a little more thought.
What person on this planet has something sitting in their pantry for more than 3 years, and then decides they need to buy more after they've thrown it out If they haven't consumed it in 3 years they aren't going to buy it again just to throw it out in another 3 years.
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zentrobi1548
Some store here in denmark has joined the movement stop mad spild wich means stop food waste and they will sell you the almost expired or just expired food item for 1/4 the price of what it originally costed. Me and my wife some times live exclusive on those items, and the only items we have noticed a huge diffrence in quality is milk produce, the rest taste, looks and feels the same as if it wasn't expired.
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Some store here in denmark has joined the movement stop mad spild wich means stop food waste and they will sell you the almost expired or just expired food item for 1/4 the price of what it originally costed. Me and my wife some times live exclusive on those items, and the only items we have noticed a huge diffrence in quality is milk produce, the rest taste, looks and feels the same as if it wasn't expired.
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aragusea
My favorite expiry date is on Belgium Sour Beer, which has a shelf life of decades. So cute, the bottles have an accurate to the day best before date. Looking at a bottle of Oude Geuze Boon which lasts until June 8th 2041 unless I drink it before. Unless my appetite for this beer will grow to much I should drink the bottle on the exact date written on the back.
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My favorite expiry date is on Belgium Sour Beer, which has a shelf life of decades. So cute, the bottles have an accurate to the day best before date. Looking at a bottle of Oude Geuze Boon which lasts until June 8th 2041 unless I drink it before. Unless my appetite for this beer will grow to much I should drink the bottle on the exact date written on the back.
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TimeSurfer206
This is part of why we say Food waste is a Billion Dollar a year business.
And yes, some things never expire, like Salt and Water.
BOTH of those have an expiration date for the CONTAINER.
And for the Salt I had a container of Salt that I left in the garage (For scientific uses, ofc, and in a week it was not only a rock, it was a Weeping Rock.
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This is part of why we say Food waste is a Billion Dollar a year business.
And yes, some things never expire, like Salt and Water.
BOTH of those have an expiration date for the CONTAINER.
And for the Salt I had a container of Salt that I left in the garage (For scientific uses, ofc, and in a week it was not only a rock, it was a Weeping Rock.
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GenBloodLust
I had been eating two-year-old macaroni and cheese. That is the powdered cheese and the macaroni and when someone was looking at my food box, they saw it was expired by two years and I was freaking out. I tried to explain to them how expiration dates work, but they were not having it, your video really does explain it well and I should send it to them
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I had been eating two-year-old macaroni and cheese. That is the powdered cheese and the macaroni and when someone was looking at my food box, they saw it was expired by two years and I was freaking out. I tried to explain to them how expiration dates work, but they were not having it, your video really does explain it well and I should send it to them
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L9INO9166
I’m sure Adam knows or has made the distinction before in other videos, but I had an aha that makes sense’ moment when I learned there was a distinction between food poisoning and food-borne illness. Poisoning generally means the byproduct of an organism made you sick (botulism, and food-borne illness means the organism itself makes you sick (e-coli.
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I’m sure Adam knows or has made the distinction before in other videos, but I had an aha that makes sense’ moment when I learned there was a distinction between food poisoning and food-borne illness. Poisoning generally means the byproduct of an organism made you sick (botulism, and food-borne illness means the organism itself makes you sick (e-coli.
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markiangooley
Canned food from a riverboat that sank in the Missouri River was recovered after 90 years or so at relatively cool temperatures in the river mud. None of it had bacteria, but none tasted good and all had lost much of its nutritional value. Components of food tend to react with each other over time, even if kept away from air and living microbes.
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Canned food from a riverboat that sank in the Missouri River was recovered after 90 years or so at relatively cool temperatures in the river mud. None of it had bacteria, but none tasted good and all had lost much of its nutritional value. Components of food tend to react with each other over time, even if kept away from air and living microbes.
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joshuab4586
I work in food supply, and the expiration/best by date also helps a lot with the logistics and quality control, we’ve had companies send us older dates than previous orders, so assuming that happens at stores too, they need to be able to tell when it’s supposed to be good by and not just blindly trust the manufacturer/supplier to be honest.
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I work in food supply, and the expiration/best by date also helps a lot with the logistics and quality control, we’ve had companies send us older dates than previous orders, so assuming that happens at stores too, they need to be able to tell when it’s supposed to be good by and not just blindly trust the manufacturer/supplier to be honest.
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