Out of date rice pudding

[factor-fiction]

For some reason I suddenly fancied some rice pudding today so I pulled out the can of Ambrosia which I knew we'd had in the cupboard for a while. But I noticed it is dated Feb 2004 and although it looks okay I'm not sure whether to risk it.
Do you think it'll be okay? Has anyone else eaten canned food this old?
I'm sure I've heard of canned food lasting 20-30 years.

[sara3]

throw it away, and clear out your cupboards!

[boxtops]

I know I eat stuff which is pretty ancient but I don't think I've ever taken it quite this far - but it should be all right. The tins they found in the Antarctic were perfectly good after very many years.
Have you got a cat? We use a cat as a yardstick for freshness - if they are interested in the food, we'll eat it - if they sniff and turn away, we bin it.

[Poor-Alfie]

I'm sure I Have seen people on TV, eating corned beef from the war.

[factor-fiction]

Thanks. Everything else is well in date- I don't know how we overlooked this can.
Boxtops- I don't have a cat so should I try it out on my children instead?

[sara3]

yes, f30, or your neighbour's kids :o)

[factor-fiction]

Ho poor-Alfie- I'm sure I remember hearing of a soldier who was found still protecting a remote area/warcamp as he hadn't realised the 2nd World War had ended 40 years earlier, and he was still living off canned rations from the camp stores.

[factor-fiction]

Sorry Poor-Alfie- I meant to greet you Hi not Ho.

[Invictas]

factor,
You are right.
It was a Japanese soldier on a remote Pacific Island.
All his comrades had been killed,and so he lived off of the land for next 30(or so) years or so.
The villagers knew he was there,but of course he thought they were the enemy.
This might interest you?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_holdout
Also some years ago,the Scott Polar Research Institute(at the South Pole station) came across a case of(12 I think) tins of Heinz Baked Beans,which had been shipped there in 1911.
They sent them back to the UK,4 went to Heinz as a goodwill gesture,and from the remaining 8 they opened 2 and heated and ate them(at a post Scott memorial dinner!) it seems they tasted very nice.
Of course they had been frozen for over 80 years,BUT it just goes to show that tinned goods CAN last quite a lot longer than just 6 or 7 years out of date.

boxtops,
I must remember that tip,I shall use next doors cat as I don't have one! LOL

[Invictas]

for post Memorial read POSH Memorial.

[JonnyBoy12]

Yes, if there is no rust on the tin, and it has not rusted through, it should be fine. That is not a world record, though, I have eaten things which are older than that. It is a shame you do not have a cat, as cats can not read, and you could tell them it is still in date.

What is the ABer record for eating food out of date? We have jokes that are out of date here, so why not food?

[boxtops]

I reckon factor will win the record, if he eats that rice pudding..... I can put forward a four-month old yoghurt, and there is year-old stuff in my freezer, but I can't beat that.

[Invictas]

I don't know about eating things out of date,but there is a running jokes amongst me and my friends.
One of them (not me,and she shall be nameless) has in her larder a packet of Angel Delight (remember that?) which has moved house with her on several occasions.

Now the question

Would anyone like to guess the best before date on the packet?

Go on have a punt.

There is a prize!

[boxtops]

October 2003

[Invictas]

Sorry boxtops nowhere near!

Next please.

[JonnyBoy12]

June 1996 perhaps? Can anyone beat that record?

[woofgang]

well since you aren't starving or a japanese soldier, I probably wouldn't risk it

[boxtops]

September 1998

[Invictas]

Sorry Johnny still way out

[Invictas]

Sorry boxtops,not there yet!

Maybe I sould have said "antique" Angel Delight

[boxtops]

May 1966