Two days over out of date meat

[smellybeanpole]

So I have some organic mince meat two days past it’s use by date and some chicken fillets again two days past it’s date. I’ve been really ill so tried making some easy quick food and had forgotten to check on the dates. Really annoyed now. They look ok. Smell fine too. But not sure if I should risk it.

[Viserion]

I would as long as they look and smell ok. I have followed this rule for decades and not had any issues yet.

[chocolatespiders]

I have used mince two days over before if it smells okay.

[NC4now]

I would go off look and smell and have always been ok, but in what way have you been ill? Is your immune system low? You might want to be a bit more cautious than usual if you're still recovering.

[RosieBucket]

If it's well cooked it's fine.

[HarrietKettleWasHere]

Gone off mince has a horrible musty vinagary smell like a hamster cage in need of cleaning.

If it doesn't smell off, you're fine.

[Wolfiefan]

It's rubbish to say if it doesn't smell rank it can't hurt you. Not all organisms that could make you extremely sick can be smelt. Of course if it's rotten you'd know but that's not the point.
Don't eat it. Food poisoning from meat can be extremely serious.

[BinkyandBunty]

I'd consider the mince based on colour and smell. The chicken, no way.

[smellybeanpole]

Just been very run down with sinusitis.
The beef hasn’t gone that funny grey colour like it does when left too long. Also the chicken isn’t slimy. No odd smell. I’m gonna go for it.

[frenchfancy]

Mince I would use if it smelt ok. Chicken would go in the bin.

[HarrietKettleWasHere]

Wolfiefan I get my meat from the butchers normally and there is no use by date to go on. I go by colour/texture/smell though obviously I don't keep it hanging around for ages.

Supermarket use by dates are just a guide and I ignore them all the time. I've had chicken with four days left on it that's been green and slimy!

[smellybeanpole]

So I cooked them both and will keep in the fridge. I have two days meals ready now which I’m very happy about.
I made my dh have a taster So if by evening he’s not Ill we should be fine

[kateandme]

meats are big giveaway when they are off.as long as they are sealed from bacteria.they will smell rank when off.It's hard to initially judge the freshness of ground beef by looking for color. Very fresh ground beef is red-purple. The plastic wrap they use in grocery stores is oxygen permeable- that is oxygen can get through. This means that a few hours later, the part of the ground beef that is exposed will turn that bright red (oxymyoglobin) that we associate with fresh meat.

The inside will still be that deeper purple red color. The color difference can make people think that fresh ground beef has spoiled, when in fact it's fine. In fact, if you open s package and expose the purple- red meat to air, it will change to a bright red color.

Note that this is different from slightly older meat. As the meat starts to age the myoglobin changes to metmyoglobin, which is grey- brown in color. This doesn't indicate that the meat has spoiled, but does have an unappealing color when raw. It doesn't effect the cooked product- it cooks the same.

Meat that is really old often is grey or grey green. That is an indicator of age & long exposure to light- oxygen. Steer clear.

In general, color isn't a good indicator.
It is better to use your nose and smell for sourness, or feel for a tacky or slimy texture. If you detect shy of these, pass.

[Wolfiefan]

Butchers meat should have a use by date on it.
Ignore use by dates at your peril. You may well be fine. But you may end up in hospital.