Is it ok to eat meat after the 'use by' date? My dad says it is...?!

There didn't used to be 'use by' and 'sell by' dates on food!. The best way to tell is to look at it and smell it!. If it looks and smells off, then don't touch it!. If it smells ok, then it should be ok as long as it is cooked well!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

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As a general rule of thumb, Use By should be used by the date stated and Best Before means that it can be used after the date shown but the quality won't be at it's best!.
With regard to meat, beef will probably be okay if it smells okay and is cooked thoroughly!. I wouldn't let it go beyond a couple of days after the Use By date, and I wouldn't risk it at all with pork or poultry!.

Poultry goes "off" very quickly and can harbour things like salmonella!. That's why it needs to be cooked thoroughly!. Pork is another meat which needs to be cooked through to be safe!.
Maybe I'm over cautious, but better safe than sorry!Www@FoodAQ@Com

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Beef does not go off as soon as other meats!.You can tell if mince is OK by the colour and the smell irrespective of "sell by date" A little fading of the supermarket red is not a problem but if it goes grey or smells of anything then chuck it out!.Spags with mince and a sell by date of 15 May should still be good today Sat 17 May if it passes the above tests!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

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Does it smell ok!? If it doesn't smell sour at all then im sure it'll be fine!.!. two days, kept in a fridge, it should be fine :)
Sell by/use by dates are just guidlines so you don't eat them weeks later and get sick!. They usually put it a few days before it's actually meant to be used by just to be on the safe side!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

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I would be careful if I were you - you won't thank your dad if you end up on the lav for 2 days!!! lol

I would SMELL it first if I was you - its good to trust your sense of smell - if it smells 'off' then it is off!.!.!.!.if it smells bad it will be bad for you to ingest

I'm sure thats what they did before sell by dates!!!Www@FoodAQ@Com

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I don't think its the best idea but you could smell it and see its best to go with the date b/c think of how long it is around after it comes from the field and is processed when you get it!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

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Some things keep longer than the "use by" date, usually you can tell if meat is off by the colour and smell!. Ive had meat thats been 3 - 4 days past the date and its been fine!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

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I wouldn't use it after the USE BY date, although you can still use it after the SELL BY date!.!.!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

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If it's only a few days it's ok as long as it has been kept refrigerated!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

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I've used it several days after the date quite often, as long as it doesn' smell bad, without any ill effects!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

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Go for it - you will survive!!. Your Dad is right!. Even if it is brown, you will be ok - really!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

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You have to be very careful,the use by and sell by dates are there for a reason!. Hope your spag bol was good!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

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if its been frozen its fine cause on meat packets it says use by or freezeWww@FoodAQ@Com

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as long as it smells okWww@FoodAQ@Com

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if they have been frozen, if it smells ok then it should be fineWww@FoodAQ@Com

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It'll be alright, as long as there's no mold!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

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yes it is if it has been refridgerated!. but not more than three day!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

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