Stupid Question

[SandyDee]

I have to ask this. Somewhere on this board someone said that bagged salads shouldn't be used beyond the expiration date. I admit that I have heard that before and therefore have never used the salads past the date. But why exactly, what happens besides the fact that the salad isn't as crispy?

[Susann]

Uh oh...

For dinner tonight, I made a salad with lettuce that had an exp. date of 7/21. It hadn't been opened and looked (tasted, too)completely fresh. It didn't even cross my mind that it might be unhealtful.

I guess that means if you don't hear from me in a while, the lettuce rule is true!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[mikecox]

Originally posted by SandyDee:
bagged salads shouldn't be used beyond the expiration date

I freq use salads *well* past their expiration date.

Actually I usually wash and spin salad greens and put them in the crisper (in plastic bags) for weeks!

Can anyone document a reason for not using after the exp date?

[Ohioan]

Mostly, either the bagged salad just gets limp and slimy if it sits around too long, or the chemicals used to *keep* it from getting limp and slimy develop the off-taste that some people here were complaining about. But much of the deterioration may have something to do with how a particular store shelves the salad. Constant sprinkling or other exposure to moisture (even, I suppose, sitting on crushed ice or being surrounded with damp vegetables) seems to penetrate the packaging and seep into the salad.

Probably, if it looks crisp and fresh, it's doing fine. But then again, except for organics, there may be some chemical reaction going on from any preservatives or sprays that have been used. I dunno. I just don't take chances. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/confused.gif

[ellielk]

Which kind of brings up the 'what does that date really mean' question. Unless it says it on the package, do you all assume it's the 'sell by' date or the 'use by' date?

[Ohioan]

Originally posted by ellielk:
Which kind of brings up the 'what does that date really mean' question. Unless it says it on the package, do you all assume it's the 'sell by' date or the 'use by' date?

Hmm, that's a good question, and it may be part of the answer to the original question. Maybe any damage to "expired" salad happens in the store, whereas little damage seems to happen to salad bought before the date but kept past the date at home? (Rest easy, Susann!) Come to think of it, I've sometimes used salad that's "expired" in my vegetable crisper, although I'd never buy it past the "sell by" date on the package.

Well, again, I guess the rule of eye and nose still goes. If it looks fresh and smells fresh, it's fine.

[kendra]

I don't always strictly adhere to expiration dates. I let my eyes and nose be the judge (provided the date is not too far past). Think about it, the food manufacturers have 2 reasons to make the expiration dates a bit earlier than the food really spoils. First of all, they cover themselves. If the food goes bad early and their expiration date is still good, they may face consequences from someone getting food poisoning. Second, if you throw away your sour cream when the date says, even though you have some left, what do you have to do next? Yep, buy more sour cream. So, I just use my best judgement on using expired foods - it varies with the type of food as to how much of a chance I take, but so far, I have not gotten food poisoning.

[cookgirl]

Botchilism (which I have no idea how to spell)is the creepy thing. I think it's definitely a risk in cooked vegetation after a couple of days. I'm always scared that the slimy green stuff on the fresh (but dying, as they're officially cut off from their root source)salad is just that..so I run the other way. I've heard such horrible stories about how sick you can get because of this!

[SandyDee]

Thanks for your responses. I am heartened to hear so many of you use past the date. The dates (atleast on the ones I buy say "use by") so I never have, but I have been so tempted when it still looks (as you've said)crisp and fresh. Washing the bagged salad and spin and put in a fresh bag sounds like it is worth a try. Thanks everyone.