bagged spinach, 'use by' date

[Thed0gs]

This is probably going to sound so daft, but here it goes....

I have a bag of prewashed spinach. It says 'use by' instead of 'best before'. It looks fine, smells fine....I'm assuming it's ok to eat?!

Why have they started putting 'use by' on veg?? Is it just to make you buy more??

[rogueantimatter]

It'll be fine. Wash it again.

[TeamEponine]

Yup. If it isn't soggy or slimy, it will be fine. Love spinach, so I'll take it off of your hands of you don't want to risk it.

[Thed0gs]

Thank you; it has been eaten.

[Thed0gs]

Yes Dancing, I'm usually like that as usually fruit/veg has 'best before'. I imagine there are lots of people who would end up throwing out lots of veg because of this.

[wanderingwondering]

Do you find the washed stuff goes off quicker? I have a bag of (possibly mutant) unwashed spinach in the fridge which not only appears to regenerate (has fed 3+ people 3 meals so far) but also appears fresh as the day I bought it over a week ago. Wheras the mixed leaves are sliming up already after only a few days

[Thed0gs]

Yes I do actually Wandering, which is why I generally avoid it. Maybe the extra handling causes more bacteria so then they have to put a use by date instead I dunno

[TeamEponine]

Have you tried frozen spinach? Obviously not as good as the fresh stuff, and no good for salads or sandwiches. But if you want to just chuck some in a pasta or risotto, then it is pretty good!

[Thed0gs]

I haven't cooked with it myself, Team, but I think they use it (or the canned stuff) in curries etc too

[GrouchyKiwi]

Oooh, good hint that the prewashed stuff goes off faster!

I much prefer baby spinach to lettuce for sandwiches but get frustrated with how quickly it can go slimy and gross. I'll be growing my own soon, but in the meantime will look for unwashed stuff!

[dementedma]

I find spinach lasts well and use it miles past its use by date.