How do you use the milk's expiration date? Do you follow it to the date? Do you throw it out earlier? later?

Answer 1

Basically you go by smell or taste. I've had milk with a good date that tasted sour and outdated milk that still smelled and tasted good. I've noticed that the low fat and fat free versions seem to last longer than the whole milk. I think it must have something to do with the fat content. Give it a good whiff! When in doubt throw it out!

PS You can still use it for baking. There are plenty of recipes that call for sour milk.

Answer 2

Some people use the expiration date as the maximum you should keep it and drink it, while others use it as a time-line and will go beyond the expiration date.

I am one of those that will use the expiration date as a rule and won't drink it after that date. As goes with any dairy product. The best way to check is to smell it. If it has even a remote hint of a sour or acidic pungent smell, throw it out. There is nothing worse than getting sick over spoiled milk. If you find that your milk is going bad sooner than the expiration date, check the temperature in your refrigerator. You may need to adjust the temperature and make it cooler.

And finally, if you suspect that the milk has gone bad, why chance it? Go to the store and get more.

Answer 3

There are two major types of "expiration dates". One is "Best Before" and the other is "Use Before".

Best Before is a general guideline, and products that claim this use it as such. The quality of the product should be acceptable before this date, but not guaranteed after this date. If a bag of potato chips is stale before this date, they will refund or replace. After this date, you are out a bag of chips.

Use Before or "expires" is usally the last date you should buy the item, not the date it goes bad. If you use a gallon of milk in one or two days, it could easily still be good after the date on the carton.

After you have an item at home, it does not magically go bad on that date. It could spoil sooner or later, depending on how it is stored and used. Use your eyes, nose, and taste to determine freshness, not a date. If you are still unsure, it is better to toss out than to guess.

Dates let you know what to buy, and at home, which products to use up first. Don't use them as a rule, but a guide.

Answer 4

I'm taking your question seriously but at the same time laughing so hard because my husband and I always fuss about that DATE...

He doesn't mind using the milk after the date....but NOT ME....as soon as the expiration date is here....OUT IT GOES...

Usually the carton or milk inside starts to have a strong cheese like smell and I can't stand it about that date. Sometimes If I'm going to bake something that calls for milk I'll use it in a recipe but not on cereal or to drink...or I'd gag just thinking about it.

I'm sure the dairy people would say it's good for a few days afterwards but I still rather have another new gallon to drink.

I just bought one this afternoon...think I'll have some!

Happy Valentine's day....think I'll have some MILK chocolate!

Mama Jazzy Geri

Answer 5

We use all the Milk up way before the expiration date. It's just so yummy in so many things.

Answer 6

pretend the expiration date is there ... go with the smell of the milk or go by the taste of it. If either one is bad, throw it out.

Answer 7

Don't drink expired milk! In my nutrition classes, I know that the date marks the start of the decaying of the milk. Those foods that spoil easily should not be consumed past expiry date.

Answer 8

I buy 12 gallons of milk every 4 to 4.5 weeks and it stays good for that length of time.
BTW, the date is the last day the store is supposed to sell it, NOT the 'expiration' date. That last depends on how it is stored!

Answer 9

On the expiration date or a day or two after, I give it the sniff test. If it smells okay, I use it, if it doesn't, out it goes. Don't take a sip. Ewwwwww.

I'm one of those who sorts through the milk at the store in order to find the one with the farthest away expiration date.

Answer 10

i ought to flavor a splash of the milk.(with a teaspoon or you upload bacteria to the bottle). now and reduce back the milk ought to very last 4 days previous the expiry date. what's significant is the kind you shop the milk as immediately as you open it. if you're taking it out use it and then placed it in the present day back interior the refrigerator it is going to very last even as in evaluation with leaving it out for a protracted time and then putting it back in. P.S I used to drink semi-skimmed so not certain how complete cream or skimmed will very last.