cheap food

[beer999]

The Internet firm approved foods does some very cheap near and past its sell by date. Very good value. All stuff cans bottles packet are safe to eat if your stockings up this could be a cheap option?

[pseudonym]

Yes; mentioned quite a few times by members here.

Link for those not aware of the company:

http://www.approvedfood.co.uk/mybargains

[MizerD]

Is there a rule of thumb regarding eating things past their sell by date?

[pseudonym]

Is there a rule of thumb regarding eating things past their sell by date?

Use by - as stated

Best before - still be eaten

Sell by - manufacturers/shops guidelines

[Hamradioop]

useful ink for shelf life;

http://www.eatbydate.com/

[Tiercel]

Is there a rule of thumb regarding eating things past their sell by date?

Bear in mind "use by" dates are a relatively new thing, mankind has survived happily for milleniums without it, its called common sense - if its green and mouldy or smells funny, dont eat it Ive got onions in my cupboard that went "out of date" in september 2013, Im still using them and Im not dead

Approved food sometimes has some great bargains, but a lot of the time is crap nobody wants, which is why it didnt sell first time round Also their shipping cost can be very expensive unless youre doing a big bulk order.

[lonewolf]

I'm still eating Christmas puddings 2 years out of date, nothing wrong with them, if anything they mature with age, food in general if it smells ok, if it looks ok and if it tastes ok, then it probably IS ok.

[jansman]

Best before-just that. Still edible beyond that date(and *I* frequently do)

Use By- just that. Usually applies to high risk foods, such as mayonaise based products, cooked meats, ready meals etc.

Sell by does not exist any more. Full stop. This old fashioned term is confused with 'display until'

Never underestimate the reasoning for applying a Use By date. Domestic fridge storage is generally woeful. These dates are there to reflect inefficient domestic fridges and poor food handling.
The industry I work in, as with all areas of the food industry undergo regular micro biological testing. Down the years, this has determined the shelf life of high risk foodstuffs.
At best, food poisoning will make you ill. At worst it will kill. Take E Coli 157, 10 cells are enough to cause total Renal shutdown. Under * ideal* conditions that pathogen can double in number every 20 seconds.
I think as preppers we should be aware of these matters as we need to look after ourselves so we can look after others. I bet there will be food poisoning cases in areas with power cuts.