I was in a financial crisis this week and was forced to visit a food pantry at one of the local churches. They staff there were pleasent and eager to help me out through this ituation by offering food and anything else I needed pretty much. So when i get to the house I noticed a few of the canne goods that were given to me were expired at the longest since May. Also the cookies that they gave to me were also expired again at the longest since May. Should I just throw out all the expired food or just eat it and shut up?
2006-06-21 23:50:34 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Community Service
When in doubt, throw it out. Food poisoning won't help your situation.
2006-06-21 23:54:22 · answer #1 · answered by Mizbehavin 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When I was in the Army, In the 60"s, we used to get C Rations that had been canned for the Korean War in the early 50"s. I don't think any different preservation process was used. And, we were always happy to get them.
I don't think there would be any problem with canned goods a month after the expiration date, a long as there are no dents or holes in the cans.
I used to work in a regional food bank in California where they took special care to dispose of foods that were borderline; and, we threw out a ton of food each day. Once the homeleess dumpster divers found out where our trash dump was, we had to call for twice daily trash pick ups to keep them from eating that spoiled food. But, surprisingly, I never heard of any of the homeless getting sick from the food.
So, I think you'd be fairly safe.
2006-06-23 11:50:27 · answer #2 · answered by RON C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The expiry dates on all goods are over exaggerated to protect the manufacturers from possible prosecution. As a general rule, if it looks ok, smells ok and tastes ok, it's ok. Seafood, pork and chicken are the ones you have to be careful about.
If the cans are not damaged in any way that could compromise the seal, they will be fine. Canned food can last for decades past the sell-by date and still remain edible.
If you do not plan on eating any of it, PLEASE return it(if you can overcome your pride), as there are people who depend on sources like that to be able to eat something decent and not from a trashcan! Throwing it in the bin would be a disgraceful thing to do indeed.
If you are thinking of wasting it, you really are not in need, just lacking the comforts you are used to. Consider a starving person, malnourished and too weak to move. They would have no qualms about eating the bounty you have before you.
I have, in my life, lived in some extreme circumstances, including having no food and having to at one point eat quite literally, whatever I could find. PLEASE do not waste food when so many people die each day from starvation.
I have got to say also, I'm truly Disgusted at some of the advice you have been given. Some people really DON'T know the meaning of being in need...
2006-06-22 00:17:46 · answer #3 · answered by googlywotsit 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They put so much preservatives in food now...unless it smells bad or looks bad, it's usually safe to eat. Can foods are pretty much good indefinitely, unless the can is dented, either way a can should never make any hissing or popping sound when opened because that's a sign something funky is going on in there. Anyway, I buy alot of my food at a discount places that get closeouts and such, so sometimes I accidentaly pick up something that's past the "expiry date" or "use by date", but if it looks ok and smells ok, we use it anyway, and no one in my house has ever gotten sick by eating food that may be a little past it's prime.
2006-06-21 23:56:56 · answer #4 · answered by Nate 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most foods are fine for awhile past the expiration dates. When you open the can or package, it would be obvious if something was wrong....if the can has something black in there then do not eat it.....or if the food smelled funny.... but i have eaten food this way and it was fine..eaten even a couple years past the date and i am still here...so if it looks and smells like a package or container that would be fresher, then you are safe...
I hope your financial stiuation gets better... i used to have to go to food pantries also...
2006-06-21 23:56:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would toss the canned goods. Taste the cookies -- they may be okay. Canned goods expired a month ago are probably way too old -- as they have 2 year expiration dates (usually), so if it's expired...
Do you have a Second Harvest or similiar food pantry near you? For example, the Chicago Greater Food Depository takes special pains to make sure their food is NOT expired. Sometimes smaller pantries are not as alert to that.
2006-06-21 23:55:25 · answer #6 · answered by alter_tygo 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Charities contained in the U. S. are not any further allowed to provide away expired food. in reality even supermarkets are not allowed to promote it for a discounted value. It must be destroyed. you are able to make sure to eat in case you want, yet charities won't be able to take it.
2016-11-15 02:46:26 · answer #7 · answered by ranaldo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u shouldn't eat expired food. don't u have any good friends or relatives. just go to there place,.. and ask that if u cud have a dinner with them. and u can also, invite them for a little dinner or snaks.. whenevere u 'll have money.
2006-06-21 23:59:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anna_Riks 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dont eat it... I am sure someone else can provide u with the food... U might fall ill... Cant anybody help u with ur current situation?
2006-06-21 23:56:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
canned goods that just expired in may should be perfectly fine... the cookies might be a little stale, but should taste okay and certainly won't hurt you. good luck to you...
2006-06-21 23:55:18 · answer #10 · answered by Matthew C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is it fish or something like that? Don´t eat it!
But eat it if it´s in a jar - no problem with that. Just smell and have a look at it when you open the jar.
2006-06-21 23:54:44 · answer #11 · answered by mu_sa_kossan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋