Can I use out of date unopened strong flour?

[scrummyyummy]

I have decided to make some foccacia but the strong bread flour I have is 2 years past the best before date. Can I still use it safely as it's never been opened?

[miacat]

Check it for weavils and if it's clear I think it should be fine. Flour like a lot of other dry good only has a best before because it HAS to to be sold in shops. Different if it were self raising then I think it would "raise" if you see what I mean.

[miacat]

Sorry I DON'T think it would raise (it's been a long day.....)

[ChuckFickens]

2years!!

I'd just buy some more!

(if you really want to check, spread a little out nice and even on a work surface, leave for about 30 min and then go look at it, if you can see little tracks across it then it's got mites in it.)

[miacat]

Chuck makes a good point.....can you not get to the shops? I know I can't with this b********y snow!

[ethandron]

i used a can of coconut milk at the week-end which had a use by date of 2007.
if it were me, i'd use the flour, i'm sure it'll be fine.

[scrummyyummy]

Thanks, Miacat. I'll check it for weevils (where do they come from?). Chuck, I would normally just go out and buy more flour, or in fact, I would probably just buy bread and not bother making it myself (that's probably why the flour is 2 yrs old!) but I can't be bothered to trek out in icy conditions. I've run out of bread so thought as I'm stuck at home, I would try and make some.

[miacat]

I feel your pain - my bread is in the oven as we speak (AND I didn't check the sell by date.......!)