best before dates and the homeless.... weird question...

[joko]

bit of an odd question this...

I have a terrible habit of stocking up with cheap food - and then not eating it.
every so often i go through my stacked cupboards and get rid of anything out of its use by or best before date

i now have 5 full carrier bags of food!!

i have a very bad stomach so i am too wary of trying any of it, but i am sure a lot of it is probably fine - i feel awful throwing it out, but i just know i won't eat it - i know i sounds wasteful, but its one of those habits i don;t even realise i am doing.

there is some junk stuff like crisps and chocolate, but also packet and tinned soups, beans, porrige, noodles etc etc etc

does any one know if there is anywhere that would make use of this stuff - perhaps a shelter or something?
just feels bad to throw it away...

or can anyone tell me how long after the date things like the above will be safe?
i know a short while will be fine, but for instance sachets of porridge dated 08/05?
or noodles with the same date?
is a year a bit too long to risk it?
or because they are dried will they be ok?

many thanks

[whiffey]

joko, I am much the same as you (although I will not buy dented cans). I would have no hesitation in eating any of it, even the porridge. These are not use-bys on perishables but recommendations for best quality, appearance, etc.

I recently had some runner beans from the bottom of my freezer, 5 years old hidden in the ice, still tasted good.

I am fastidious about food safety which I think is mainly common sense. What can go wrong in an airtight packet, no organisms can have got in. If I buy a can of beans say, and the best before is July 2008 I would take that as safe (if not at best quality) for several years after that.

[jeanette1976]

A couple of years ago, a friend of mine was moving a found a tin of rice pudding which unbelievably had a flower-power 70's design on the label! After splitting our sides laughing, we naturally wnted to see how 'off' it was so we opened it (looked normal), cooked it and it tasted ok!

Plus, I totally agree with whiffey... and I'd just like to add that I think its a fantastic idea that you're giving it to the homeless.... assuming they have somewhere to cook! But if not, I think a shelter is an excellent idea! ;D

[joko]

cheers guys.

maybe i am just being over fussy. i just know if i keep it, it will probably just sit in the cupboard for another few years.

i know most of it is probably perfectly safe, even if it isn't at its best...just paranoid i guess.

i was thinking of opening some and testing but now i just think, with it being xmas and cold out, it would be best if i just give it all to the shelter - they will test it first and stuff like the chocolate and crisps and biscuits will be a bit of a treat i suppose.

i think i will try not to over buy in future.