How long can I keep bacon

[mamatutu]

I have an unopened package of back bacon with the use by date 22 Nov. Will it be necessary to freeze it if I'm not using it in the next 5 days?

[pug100]

I'd chuck it. Bacon that's over 2 months out of date will be a serious health hazard. If you want to freeze bacon then do it on the day of purchase and make sure you use it within 3 months.

[mamatutu]

Sorry, I mean to say 22 Nov 2008...it's got a while on it yet!

[McNoodle]

Surely you've answered your own question...

[filthiestfis]

Ive had a packet of unopened bacon in the freezer since september. How come I should throw it away?

[Gok Wan]

I wouldn't want to eat it even if it was Nov 2008. What type of rubbish must they have treated it with for it to last that long? A right cocktail of preservatives and chemicals no doubt - yuk!

[filthiestfis]

Gok Wan: do you know what freezers are used for?

[McNoodle]

I was thinking the same Gok Wan - I bought some last night and the use by date was 25th Feb. November - must be pickled bacon!

[sense4all]

I have to be honest I have never seen bacon that has such a long use by date ... it sounds suss. to me. Printer playing up at the butchers? or they found a packed from the back of the shelf at the supermarket?. I' d bin it too.

[lovejoy]

I dont know the scientific answer but I've had salmonella poisoning and since then I trust nothing.

It's only a pack of bacon, chuck the f****** away

[Clanad]

Excuse me, but maybe someone could educate this Yank... bacon, here in the U.S., especially the kind I grew up with that was sugar cured and hickory smoked at home on the farm was good for at least a year!. the whole purpose of the curing and smoking was to preserve the meat for a lengthy term. We preserved shoulders, hams and bacon in similar methods. I understand, of course, that bacon, even here in the U.S. probably isn't as well preserved as in the days ago, but should be good for at least 6 months if kept in a cool and dark place. Maybe it different in the U.K./Europe... Thanks for any enlightenment!