Oops I Did It Again!

[Juliebove]

When my daughter was first diagnosed, I went overboard. Bought every mix, flour and baking thing I could find. Most expired and were never opened.

I replaced things, trying to buy only what I had used prior. But then I would see a recipe for something and it would call for something I didn't have. Like garbanzo bean flour. So I would buy it. Again, threw stuff out, unopened.

Bought more stuff and daughter won HUGE Bob's Red Mill package. This created more stuff to throw away.

I thought I replaced everything at the start of the school year but apparently it was last year. Decided to make a wacky cake only to find nothing fresh. Threw out 5 Betty Crocker, 3 Namaste mixes, brown rice flour and 2 partially used sweet rice flour. The flour mix expired in April! We used it anyway for the wacky cake.

The cornbread mix has no date on it. Decided to bake some of that to use it up. At least the house is warm.

[lovegrov]

Why throw them out? Were they rancid?

richard

[missy'smom]

To avoid that problem in the future freeze extra ones. I buy Pamela's bread mix online in a box of 6 and it's all for DS, so I keep the first one on the shelf and the rest get frozen and defrosted only as needed. I have purchased expired mixes at the store on clearance an all have been fine. Sometimes baking powder will lose it's leavening ability after a while-several months maybe. Otherwise if it doesn't have a funny/off smell go ahead and use it. Mostly the nut and seed flours with their oils will go bad first, then the whole grains. White rice and the starches will keep a LONG time.

[Juliebove]

  On 11/25/2010 at 1:37 AM, lovegrov said:

Why throw them out? Were they rancid?

richard

I wasn't going to find out. They were past the sell by or use by date. I did use the flour blend that said use bt April. The cake came out weird on top. Frosting wouldn't stick to it. Daughter said it tasted fine but it made her feel like she would puke. It was a brand we'd never used before.

I ordered Bette Hagman from here for next time. It's what I usually use.

[Juliebove]

  On 11/25/2010 at 2:07 AM, missy said:

To avoid that problem in the future freeze extra ones. I buy Pamela's bread mix online in a box of 6 and it's all for DS, so I keep the first one on the shelf and the rest get frozen and defrosted only as needed. I have purchased expired mixes at the store on clearance an all have been fine. Sometimes baking powder will lose it's leavening ability after a while-several months maybe. Otherwise if it doesn't have a funny/off smell go ahead and use it. Mostly the nut and seed flours with their oils will go bad first, then the whole grains. White rice and the starches will keep a LONG time.

No room in the freezer. We can't use nut flour. Just rice and some blends, mainly. Cornbread mix came out great!

[lovegrov]

I certainly wouldn't throw it out on the sell by date. And I personally wouldn't throw it out at all unless it smelled or looked strange.

richard

[Juliebove]

  On 11/26/2010 at 3:37 AM, lovegrov said:

I certainly wouldn't throw it out on the sell by date. And I personally wouldn't throw it out at all unless it smelled or looked strange.

richard

The flour I wound up using had a best used by date of April 2010. The cake must have been good! They ate enough of it.

I usually throw out things that are past the expiration date. I just dumped three cans of Rotel tomatoes. One expired in 2009. I need to be more careful to check dates on canned goods. The store where I used to shop was notorious for selling old stuff. I once bought old canned tomatoes from them. I did compare them to the fresh can. BIG difference in color and texture.

I guess after having worked in retail, many years with food, I have seen some nasty things. I don't like to take chances.

[freeatlast]

I threw away my pumpkin pie spice b/c its x-date was 2002 after I used it. Best tasting pumpkin bread I have ever baked. Wish I hadn't thrown it away.

[psawyer]

When products are freshness dated, there are two types of labels.

"Best before" is the most common on food products. It is the manufacturer's conservative estimate of when the product may begin to decline in quality. It may not taste as good at that point. It does not become unsafe.

"Expiry" dates are typically found on pharmaceuticals and supplements. These products lose efficacy, and may not work to full effect past the stated date. Again, the dates are conservative.

Improperly stored products can decline before the date. Aspirin exposed to heat will break down, as will other salicylates. If you open the bottle and smell vinegar, don't expect the pills to help with your headache.

[Juliebove]

  On 11/26/2010 at 2:23 PM, psawyer said:

When products are freshness dated, there are two types of labels.

"Best before" is the most common on food products. It is the manufacturer's conservative estimate of when the product may begin to decline in quality. It may not taste as good at that point. It does not become unsafe.

"Expiry" dates are typically found on pharmaceuticals and supplements. These products lose efficacy, and may not work to full effect past the stated date. Again, the dates are conservative.

Improperly stored products can decline before the date. Aspirin exposed to heat will break down, as will other salicylates. If you open the bottle and smell vinegar, don't expect the pills to help with your headache.

I think old aspirin can make you sick as well. I bought some from a convenience store in high school. I don't know if it had an expiration date on it or not. Some things did in those days but it was not required. They did smell like vinegar. I remember my mom's Dr. saying that old medicine doesn't usually hurt you and in most cases it just becomes less effective. However, this spoiled aspirin gave me bad acid indigestion.