Is it safe to use ...

[Millie1]

'Freshly' grated parmesan which I opened about 10 days ago - packaging says use within 3 days of opening but it's still well within it's (unopened) use-by date? Silly old me threw out the fresh packet last night and needs a few tablespoons for a topping for chicken fillets. So, will I poison us or is it okay? Thanks

Not sure about the grated stuff but in Italy they keep chunks of parmesan in the cellar for weeks if not months. My mother (Italian) has a bowl of freshly grated parmesan constantly in the cupboard which is brought out for pasta as and when (She never refrigerates it as she says it ruins the flavour ). She does grate massive quantities and freeze some though as she says leaving it too long in the cupboard also makes it lose it's flavour.

Since most parmesan is aged between 12 and 24 months on a shelf and not in a fridge I'm not sure why it needs to be refrigerated in the first place. However I never use the pre-grated stuff so there may be something other than parmesan cheese in it that might negate this.

Thanks LC ... saved by DH who has picked some fresh stuff up in M&S . If I wasn't so lazy, I'd buy a block and grate it as and when!

didn't you hear about the guy who ate a tin of 50 yr old chicken?!

Mine gets used as and when. It lives in the fridge and I never look at the date. We're all still breathing!

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Oh good ... I'll know for future reference. It seems such a waste to use a few tablespoons and chuck the remainder each time.

Yes MissChief I certainly did and rather him than me!!!!