Mincemeat Question!

[Ann]

In my Mum's house I have just found 3 jars of Tesco mincemeat still unopened and vacuum sealed, 2 dated BB 2010 and one from 2009. The one from 2009 contains brandy but the other two don't .... I have opened them all and tasted the mincemeat, its still lovely and moist and very tasty, the fruit is not at all "sugary", but is it safe to use - I wouldn't like to poison anyone! Hubby says there is no way it can go "off" when vacuum sealed, in the past we have eaten Christmas puddings well past their sell by dates too and are still here to tell the tale!
What do you think?

[janbee]

I always buy Christmas puds for the following year's Christmas. They always taste better.

[Old_Geezer]

Even if not vacuum sealed, the excess sugar would dehydrate bacteria that got to it. I'd feel confident it was perfectly safe.

[jennyjoan]

I think Ann while it may be ok - me, I would be throwing them out - not worth the risk of paying a few more pounds for uptodate ones. 2009 - 5 years over - no. I have just cleaned my cupboards out and when I saw the old dates - out they went. That's me personally.

[anneasquith]

if they are safe to use. why is there a ' use by date '' on items. ? I wouldn't use them ?

[mccfluff]

im still eating brandy butter that went out of date 3 or 4 years ago....

[Ann]

Anne - it doesn't say "Use by" it says "Best by.... " I think Best Before just refers to the flavour aspect, and as Jan says it seems enhanced, especially the brandy one.

[netibiza]

They'll be fine Ann, living over here we have learned to use any oput of date food, unless it stinks or is green.

[Ann]

I rather thought that Neti, think I will try it, it looks and tastes good!

[Barmaid]

They'll be fine. I'm the same as Neti. I ignore best before and use by dates and trust my own judgement. Never killed us yet.

[Gill1941]

If they look ok and smell ok then they are ok!
This best before and use by dates are a con by the manufacturers to make people who have no common sense buy more products.

[HansUrbancka]

I am assuming you have in mind making mince pies. If so the heat of the oven will kill any bacteria......Although I doubt that there will be any.

Hans.

[AlwaysConfused]

I never take any notice of BBE dates, and it's never done me any harm cluckgruntmoowoofmeowoinksquarkneigh !

[mikey4444]

Of course its OK ! My Mum used to make jams and marmalade and there was always 1 or 2 left in the back of the cupboard from previous years. Mincemeat in jars is a preserve, so I would go ahead. But please let us know if you die from food poisoning...we like feedback here on AB !

[gingejbee]

I'd like someone to explain how mincemeat (containing all that sugar) AND sealed...could possibly be "unsafe". It's impossible.

[gingejbee]

...and anneasquith obviously doesn't know the difference between/relevance of "use by" and "best before".

[Ann]

// But please let us know if you die from food poisoning...we like feedback here on AB ! //
Haha Mikey!

[anneasquith]

even BB 2009 I would not use it,

[mikey4444]

Thanks Ann !

[Peter Pedant]

I think they are sterile and safe to use.

[Old_Geezer]

That what I tell the women.