I know a lot of you have food put away. Recently I found out a house sitter re organized <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
My canned foods. I found a lot past their best by dates <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />
I hate wasting food and money.

So check your goods!

And how old would you still eat it now? I know in a emergency you would eat things you normally would not.

It's important to rotate your supplies!

Take care all.

When mine end up past due, they become targets. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Sar5, can goods can typically last beyond their expiration date as long as a few conditions are met:

1st - they are stored in a cool, dry, and dark place.
2nd - the can doesn't show any signs of rust.
3rd - the can doesn't show any signs of swelling.

"Best By" dates are to gaurentee maximum nutritional benefit and flavor. After the "best by" date, most food is still safe to eat, but the nurtitional value and taste start to decline.

I use a modifed version of the SAS method of testing questionable food:

A) Smell.
B) Little touch - to the skin on the back of your hand. Wait for bad reaction.
C) Tongue touch - dab some on your tongue. Wait for bad reaction.
D) Nibble - take a S M A L L bite. Wait for bad reaction.
E) Bite - take a normal bite. Wait for bad reaction.
F) Go for it.

I agree with Architect; I think most canned goods are safe beyond--well beyond-- their labled expiration dates. I think expiration dates are at least a little bit marketing ploy; get people to throw them out and buy new. I well remember when canned goods had no expiration dates and they were considered good almost indefinitely as long as the can looked sound and wasn't bulging. I think Arch is right in his analysis and procedural approach. Not medical advice, of course <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />. As an aside, I have been making a practice of eating out-of date food of a variety of sorts, and haven't had a bad experience yet. Though I'm not talking about fresh food, of course.