Useful Info: Stockpile Expiration Dates

[kurlisola]

Originally Posted by PMFan perhaps rotate the duplicate free stuff to back of pantry and give the oldest stuff in front of panty to the food bank. that would extend the 'life' of your stockpile?

Yep, I do that when I get closer to the bottom of a stockpiled item. Otherwise it gets to be a hassle to move around 150 cans of baked beans at a time-lol!

[Bargainacious]

I agree with what Lisa said. Some of the knowledge about stockpiling comes through experience. For example, when I first started couponing, I stockpiled WAY too much cheap ketchup, BBQ sauce, marinades, dressing, mustard etc. It didn't help that we didn't grill out the first year I couponed.

Now I know we will go through 1 bottle of ketchup, BBQ sauce, mustard or dressing per month in the summer, but far less in the winter, so I plan accordingly. Every 1-2 months, I go through the stockpile and check the dates. Anything that is coming up to date and I don't think we will use gets sold or donated.

Of course, sometimes circumstances and people's tastes change. When DH was working days and fixed a sandwich for lunch, we went through 1 miracle whip a month - now it's less. Likewise, when he ate cereal for breakfast, we used more cereal. We have safely used sealed mayo and marinades up to 6 months past their date and cereal, HH, rice-a-roni, pasta up to 3 months past with no ill effects or "off" flavor, but YMMV!

I think it's a matter of figuring out what works for your family. Knowing how much to buy and how to organize it depends on how your family eats and cooks. Also factor in whether your DH or kids will check dates. If not, make it "fool-proof" and leave the oldest stuff at the front.

[My2Miracles]

So what about the fruit I mentioned? It has November's date -- it's the Dole plastic fruit container. Think it's safe? Or should I toss it? Makes me sick b/c I LOVE that fruit -- I just didn't know it was in there. :rolleyes:

[kurlisola]

Originally Posted by Bargainacious I agree with what Lisa said. Some of the knowledge about stockpiling comes through experience. For example, when I first started couponing, I stockpiled WAY too much cheap ketchup, BBQ sauce, marinades, dressing, mustard etc. It didn't help that we didn't grill out the first year I couponed.

lmao! I could have written that post word for word. I must have had a dozen A1 marinades & we're arent' marinade users-lol! A dozen mustards...when we just went through 2-3 a year...and don't even get me started on dressings when I rarely ate salads-lol! It took about a year to get myself together and become more strategic with my buying.

[kurlisola]

Does it say "good until" or "best buy"? In this instance, if it said "best buy", then I'd open it & use it very quickly. I wouldn't necessarily do that with meat or dairy products...but probably would with sealed fruit.

[BzyBee]

Originally Posted by My2Miracles So what about the fruit I mentioned? It has November's date -- it's the Dole plastic fruit container. Think it's safe? Or should I toss it? Makes me sick b/c I LOVE that fruit -- I just didn't know it was in there. :rolleyes:

OK...M----- would never approve, but I just baked a ham last night with a dole plastic pineapple jar that was older than yours. It had been unopened in the fridge though. I opened it, sniff and taste the juice and it was fine.
Please...don't send the expiration date people over here...we ate the ham and the pineapple and it was fine.

[BzyBee]

Originally Posted by BzyBee OK...M----- would never approve, but I just baked a ham last night with a dole plastic pineapple jar that was older than yours. It had been unopened in the fridge though. I opened it, sniff and taste the juice and it was fine. Please...don't send the expiration date people over here...we ate the ham and the pineapple and it was fine.

OK...it won't let me edit...so I will add this in...

These fruit jars are labeled with an "Enjoy By (date)" which I take to be equal to the 'Use By (date').

Stockpile Expiration Dates
• Best if used by and use-by date: With emphasis on the best qualifier in this term, it means the product should retain maximum freshness, flavor and texture if used by this date. It is not a purchase-by or safety date. Beyond this date, the product begins to deteriorate, although it may still be edible.

[BzyBee DH]

So I only get edible????

I want magically delicious! you know like the lucky charms commercial....


ok, ok maybe we are little too tight on our expenses, if all I get is edible...



Actually, Bzybee is a great chef and really understates the tremendous feats especially with deserts, like a chocolate dream pie (caramel mousse pie....it makes me salivate just to think about it).

[Bargainacious]

Originally Posted by My2Miracles So what about the fruit I mentioned? It has November's date -- it's the Dole plastic fruit container. Think it's safe? Or should I toss it? Makes me sick b/c I LOVE that fruit -- I just didn't know it was in there. :rolleyes:

I think with fruit, salsa, jelly etc. it's quite easy to tell if they have gone bad. Once they have started to deteriorate (sp?), there is an acidic smell, and a sharp taste to them. I believe they sort of ferment, and there may be small bubbles on the surface. If it's supposed to be sweet, but tastes otherwise, I would definately chuck it. My mother never tosses anything until it's green and furry, so I write from some experience. However, we never got stomach bugs much as kids, so maybe all that mold did us some good!

[JANE4girls]

Originally Posted by My2Miracles So what about the fruit I mentioned? It has November's date -- it's the Dole plastic fruit container. Think it's safe? Or should I toss it? Makes me sick b/c I LOVE that fruit -- I just didn't know it was in there. :rolleyes:

it will still be good!