The FastDay Forum

I tend to have these in my pantry. Is this a health risk you think? I just opened some peaches they smell fine. Fast day today, so can't taste.

There was a small rust spot on the top where it would have been opened shortly after. Perfectly fine looking on the inside and contents.

Thanks for your insight

The human nose is a fine tool for detecting off food. So is the tongue.
For me, I would use those tools rather than an arbitrary date stamp on the lid.

I do have 6 Christmas puddings in my cupboard, that are anywhere between 9 months and 3 years out of date. They are perfectly sealed, and get better with each year. Yet I have also had food that is within its date, that my nose has told me not to touch.

Some archaeologists found a tin of food on one of the American battlefields (can't remember which battle) and when they did an analysis checking for spoilage they found that it was safe to eat. Also the nutritional contents of the food was pretty close to what it would have been when it was canned.

Now I can't remember which battle it was e.g. Civil war, Independence war etc but I do remember that the tinned food was very old (i.e. older than anything in my cupboard) also the can was in no way damaged i.e. so no air could get in.

Having read that (many years ago) I now am not afraid of eating any of my tinned food that has found its way to the back of my pantry regardless how old it is providing the can is not damaged in any way.

If I ever chanced upon the research I read I will post it. A quick google search did not find it.

@@TheFrog
What a story, I'd believe it too. Everything oxidises because of oxygen. No air keeps things good. I ate the peaches, they tasted fine. Just bit sus with a spot of rust on top, but no flaws on the inside.

I too dont pay to much heed to date expiry stamps. I do eat yogurt past its date and other various foods, not all but some.

I have always considered that tinned goods were safe to eat long term. However we have had a couple of 'antiques' recently which didn't taste as good as they should - I think they were palm hearts and green figs. I am sure they were safe just not very nice - perhaps it depends on what is in the tin

The human nose is a fine tool for detecting off food. So is the tongue.
For me, I would use those tools rather than an arbitrary date stamp on the lid.

Yep, this would be me too! You hear about soooooooo much wastage that we throw away because we don't fully understand (or attempt to find out) what best before, use before dates etc., actually mean. 99% of the time I go for the smell and taste test - and then decide. Eaten many a yogurt lurking in the back of the fridge when it's way out of it's time limit, but it's smelt and tasted OK and I'm still here to tell the tale. Guess my only exception, where I would be very careful and double, double check, is chicken and shellfish. Anything else is fair game!