Can I eat it 13 hours after use by date?

[HappyGirlNow]

Just this. Got an M&S balanced ready meal, use by date is today, will it be ok for lunch tomorrow? I suppose food doesn't get to exactly midnight then just turn bad...? Or does it??

[SwingingBalls]

I don't like eating stuff after the date even though my rational brain knows a few hours isn't going to make a difference. I would pop it in the freezer overnight.

[addictedtosugar]

If it looks OK and smells OK tomorrow, eat it.
If it looks and/or smells off tomorrow (or today, or yesterday), then don't eat it.

[HappyGirlNow]

It's not suitable for freezing unfortunately.. It's curry so will probs only smell of curry.. Think I'll take my chances, would think they've got to add a small cushion to use by dates to be on the safe side and would imagine it's at least half a day.. Hopefully

[HappyGirlNow]

Sorry, thanks for replies

[FishWithABicycle]

It will be fine. They use a massive margin of error on these dates. I pay more attention to "use by" than "best before" but even use by i'm happy to eat for the subsequent 48 hours.

[TheOneWiththeNicestSmile]

Has it got rice with it? Rice turns a lot quicker than curry. I would freeze it even if it says you can't

[TheOneWiththeNicestSmile]

(& I am generally pretty casual about dates on food)

[SeraOfeliaFalfurrias]

Don't do it! All the bacteria in the pack have a signed contract stating that until the sell by date they will behave and not multiply. But at exactly midnight on the sell by date, they will tear up those contracts and immediately begin a giant bacteria orgy, multiplying all over the place. Utterly disgraceful!

On the other hand, your meal will probably be fine for several days yet.

[HappyGirlNow]

Haha brill ty! It's potatoes not rice which is probably why it says not to freeze it..

[bigoldbird]

Oh I eat anything (terrible piggy). It if smells OK and tastes OK eat it. If not, don't eat it. If it's mouldy, cut the mould off and eat it (the thing, not the mould). Except bread. For some reason I think there is something very very very bad about mouldy bread, I must have heard or read something about it.

[WilsonWilsonWoman]

I'd probably go a few days over before I threw it out, and use my senses to judge. Can't believe you're pondering a couple of hours window.

[soapboxqueen]

It'll be fine. I'm afraid I've turned into my mother and most use by dates are guidelines only.

Things I don't mess with are :

Prawns
Shellfish
Chicken (though less so)
Maybe one or two other things

Anything else I sniff it, prod it and if it's seems alright,it gets eaten. Nobody had died yet.

[HappyGirlNow]

Thanks all! Yes I know, what a worrywart eh