Very out of date butter - use or chuck?

[Lookslikerain]

Found a block of unopened, unsalted butter at the back of the fridge. It's dated 26th December 2012 .

Can I use it? Is it safe? It looks and smells ok. I want to make cookies so it'll be cooked.

What do you think? Thanks.

I would chuck I think

Chuck, not really worth the risk is it?

I'd use it but I have a cast iron stomach and am very mean .

If its a best before I would use it. If its a use by I wouldn't.

I'd use it provided it smelt/tasted ok.

Butter used to be kept in cold water/whey for whole winters.
Rancid butter is really obvious as it smells vile.

Just checked my butter and it is best before. My understanding is that food is safe ages and ages past the best before date - it just deteriorates but doesn't get dangerous.

If it goes 'off' it has a use by on. Don't use anything past a use by unless you are confident on checking it yourself (I use fish and meat past use-by as am happy to go by smell, feel etc).

Get it to room temperature then taste it. You'll know if its off.

But I'd use it without a second thought! :)

The whole point of butter is as a way of preserving milk, it definitely fits in the let a bit come to room temp, sniff and taste camp.

I'm usually pretty relaxed about dates on food but 3 months is getting close to my limit! It is a best before rather than use by, so I'll give it a bit longer on the side, taste, then make my cookies if ok. Thanks for your replies!

Right. Softened a bit, gave it a sniff, and it smelled a bit... cheesy. And I'm pretty sure butter doesn't normally smell like that. I didn't even taste it. Straight in the bin. Today's lesson: 3 months is too far past 'best' for butter. No cookies here today.

Best before means its safe forevermore but I will be at its best until the date show. It should have been ok I think.