Will my flapjacks be okay?

[Pebble21uk]

No - not a euphemism!!

Decided to make some flapjacks - Lockdown cookery and all that. I have all the ingredients but have just seen that my jar of Organic Blackstrap Mollases (how very Mumsnet!! Unopened and been at the back of a pantry shelf) is three years out of date this month!!!

I've looked online and received wisdom seems to suggest it can be okay for up to ten years after BBF date.

Would you risk it? It's only sugar after all - honey lasts FOREVER! But food poisoning during lockdown would be GRIM!

I should think it's fine. As with honey, the concentration of sugar makes for higher osmotic pressure than microbes can survive. And your flapjacks will be cooked.

I'd use it, that sort of thing never goes "off"

Is also use it, if it looks ok, smells ok and tastes ok...I take it that it's ok! I've never had food poisoning (yet 😅)

Thanks! The jar did release a bit of pressure as I opened it. But looked fine, smelt fine, tasted the end of a teaspoon and tasted damn fine - I LOVE treacle and molasses... so it's in the oven!
Waste not want not and all that!

It's a Cranks recipe version, not used it before - suddenly finding myself drawn to and overly invested in my cookery books... Victoria sponge next... (Mum's old recipe - not Cranks!)

The jar did release a bit of pressure as I opened it

If it was unopened there should be a slight 'pop' caused by it releasing a partial vacuum - hopefully that's what you meant?

Yes the usual jar pop but also a tiny bit of fizz - like (a greatly reduced pop bottle)