How strict are you about 'use by' dates on food?

[Wassername2]

There's an unopened pack of Tesco sliced roast beef in my fridge with a use by date of 16 May. It looks fine - haven't opened it so can't smell it, but I'm thinking of trying it for lunch tomorrow (just me, not the kids). is that a dumb idea?

Unopened, 16th May? I'd smell it, then use it.

Very strict on chicken, pork, fish, shellfish and bagged salads.

Will give a day or two's grace on most other things if me or dh will be eating.

Would even go really mad and let the dc eat a yogurt one day out of date!

I would. And I would give it to the kids. Assuming, of course, that on opening it I wasn't bowled over with the smell of off meat

But in seriousness, if it's not an opened packet, I honestly can't see that there would be anything to worry about - frequently do this.

We have been merrily eating yogs that have a use by date of 22nd April.... It's a culture innit, and fine.

Had a cauliflower for tea tonight that had a use by date of 5th may. Totally fine. I am really chilled out about those dates, dh less so. I would eat that beef without a second thought, and feed it to my kids.

Give it a sniff.

Probably fine.

I'm fussier about chicken, but not beef.

Very unfussy about veg. DH will chuck stuff out just because it's two weeks past it's sell by date. I say if it's not too wilty or squishy, then it's edible!

If it's wilty and squashy in my house it goes in a soup, much to my older children's disgust. They still eat it though

Right then, beef for lunch tomorrow . I'm not precious about veg. It all goes in to "bottom if the fridge soup". Mind you, I will be back in here like a shot if I get sick

scratch and sniff here, but am veggie. no idea about meat . doesn't it stink/go blue?

If you don't tell it the date it won't know its supposed to be out of date

If it looks, smells and tastes like it's edible, then it's edible around here!