out of date chocolate

[beckywitch]

When is it unsafe to eat out of date chocolate?

[Soozie]

In my house it's NEVER unsafe!! It never gets out of date!!

[Quentin]

when it grabs you by the throat and says die mother focker!!! then pulls out a 9mm a puts a cap in you ass! or just smell it!!!!!! apparently my helpful assistant says when it goes white....... then tries to put a cap in your ass!

[annie0000]

i think that the clue is in the question - the manufacturer has put a date on it and it is not recommended that you eat it past that date. Whether it would be unsafe, or merely unpalatable, I am not sure. I think that i would risk a day or two, but not much more - I am a bit of a wus as far as food and sell by dates go. My american relatives who were over recently didn't give a monkeys about use by dates - but then most food in the states doesn't have one - I think it is probably full of preservatives!

p.s. just chucked out 6 easter eggs as the use by date was end July and no-one had gotten round to eating them.

[missjef]

i think it depends maybe what kind of chocolate it is.
i have eaten quite a few things past their sell by date and never had a problem but i wouldnt eat anything like meat if it was over a day or 2 past the expiry date.
i would see what it looked like and if it looked off then dont eat it, if it looks fine just try a bit and see what it tastes like. if its out of date by quite a bit i wouldnt try it though. x

[boobesque]

best before dates are different to consume before dates, ones on tins chocolate and the like mean they should be eaten before the date for the best flavour.
Consume before dates are there for safety on things like milk, yoghurts etc
I too, am a wuss though and wont eat anything on the day after any date!

[beejaybee]

My mum does n`t pay any attention to dates. She`s 87 & in great health. Never has tummy upsets or anything.

[heathfield]

From Hershey's website FAQ...

'Q. How long should I keep chocolate?
A. Most confectionery products are at their best flavor for one year after manufacture. Ingredients such as nuts will shorten the shelf life. Products kept beyond recommended "best before" date may have flavor loss or texture changes. Keep in mind, however, that storage conditions greatly affect the quality of our products.

Q. My chocolate sometimes turns tan or white. What causes this?
A. Chocolate contains cocoa butter, a vegetable fat that is sensitive to heat and humidity. Temperatures above 75�F will cause chocolate to melt. The cocoa butter can rise to the surface and form a discoloration called "cocoa butter bloom." Condensation on milk or semi-sweet chocolate may cause the sugar to dissolve and rise to the surface as "sugar bloom." Chocolate that has "bloomed" is certainly safe to use, but flavor loss and texture changes may be noticed.

[taperface]

I found some old selection boxes from 2001, which I'd forgotten about. Tentatively decided to try one or two things. result? nothing left! Yum!