How strict are you about use by dates?

[MissMistyy]

Online delivery the other day, packed into fridge. Looked at the date on the top pack of pork and assumed both would be the same so decided that would be for dinner tonight. The bottom pack went out of date on Monday. My own fault for assuming but a bit peeved.
Some things I'm very strict on use by dates. Other things less so. Milk for example. You know when milk is off without a date on the bottle. Most things I would allow an extra day as I don't believe food spoils at the minute the clock strikes midnight and the date changes.
How strict/lax are others about use by dates?

Not very strict at all with dates. I go off smell and texture.
I would certainly drink milk if it smelled and tasted OK...and the Greek yoghurt in my fridge is nearly as old as me.. and delicious 😁

😂😂

I truly don't understand best before dates on bottles of water, peppercorns, spices and, like you, salt!

Some bacteria produce toxins that aren't destroyed by cooking.

Erm if it looks off then won't eat it but meat, cakes, milk pretty much all food I go by look and smell. 4 kids and a hubby and I've not killed anyone yet lol

I'm careful with meat, if I'm not certain I will use it in time I just freeze it straight away. Other things I use the dates to get the longest dates when I buy it, and as a guide to plan what to eat and when, but I'm happy to use things after a best before date.

Maybe but I (and the rest of the family) must have a cast iron stomach - never had food poisoning, D&V, etc in my life. (touches wood)
It always surprises me when people post on MN about frequently being struck down.

I’ll stick to use by dates - except for eggs.

Chicken - never risk it.

Beef/pork - might use it the next day if it looks ok. Beef is generally safe.

Best before dates are totally ignored.

I never look at them for anything. I use my eyes and nose.

You can't always smell if something is 'off'. Meat I will go one day beyond use by, except beef when I'll go a little longer. Crisps I won't eat a day beyond their best before date because I swear they start tasting stale. Not dangerous just yuck.

Just letting you know that you can't rely on cooking things for a long time once toxins are in the food, it will only kill the bacteria.

This! Soft crisps yuk 😂

I'm very strict with use by dates, less so with best before dates. I never think it's worth taking any risk with food.

Chicken i am on date / or preferably before.
But steak and meat i use my own judgement.

Fair enough, I shall consider myself told.

We never get food poisoning either though. I will cut or scoop away mould on cheese and yogurt or sauces. It's mostly just the meat I'm careful with, and of course if a tin ever bloats you don't eat it 😆.

It depends what it is. Some things you can tell by smell and appearance they are off, eg. milk, yogurt. I won't eat fresh meat that's out of date but a ready meal or microwave burger will probably be OK a couple of days off. Eggs are usually OK up to a week past use by date. I just do the egg test in a bowl of water.

I had a yoghurt today that had 5th December date on it.

Meat not really

Prepped food eg meal kit/prepped fruit/ not really because it must have taken a while getting prepped etc. I saw a film about mangoes and how sometimes they are prepped (chopped and packed) two weeks before reaching the consumer.

Beansprouts hummus and pate I stick with as they can make you sick I think

Don't take any notice of them, if it looks and smells fine, then I'll eat it, but I have a tough stomach, nothing makes me ill.