Originally Posted by
BamaVol
With 4 kids, we've been buying milk by the gallon for the last 15 years. As 2 kids have moved out, we haven't dropped back to the smaller size container, and it now sits longer in the fridge. As Mrs BamaVol and I were finishing breakfast this morning, she made a face and asked what was the expiration date on the milk. I looked and it was 7 days ago. Both of us had a bowl of cereal with a half cup or so of milk. I hadn't noticed anything myself. She didn't until she took a spoonful of milk after the cereal was gone from the bowl. She sniffed the milk container and gagged.
It's 2 hours later, and other than a little "growly in the bowely", we're both ok.
I've always viewed the date on the milk as a sell by date.
When does the milk become dangerous?
I found this on the web:
1. How long after the "sell by" date is an opened container of milk good?
2. How long after the "sell by" date is an UNOPENED container of milk good?
Answers:
Sell date - The final date the product should be sold. It allows for storage time at home. Examples of products that display sell dates are refrigerated dough products, luncheon meats and milk. This is the last day that the product can be sold in the grocery store.
Recommend Storing Milk between 34° F and 38° F: Milk stays fresh and tastes best longest at these temperatures, and will often be of good quality beyond the sell-date if maintained cold. Much depends on how a product was handled before you bought it. Milk past its sell-date may still be fine if it's been kept very cold. At warmer temperatures, spoilage bacteria are more likely to grow, shortening the practical shelf-life of the product. Always return unused containers or portions of milk promptly to the refrigerator.
Buy milk fresh, keep it cold and protect It from light. Though properly held milk should still be acceptable beyond the code date, milk does not improve with age and will not be as fresh tasting. Unopened containers of food can be kept longer than opened containers. Opened containers of milk can be stored in the refrigerator for 1 week after they have been opened. Be sure to check the date on the carton.
If milk is close to the "sell date," let your nose be the guide and smell it. If it doesn't smell right, toss it!
Also, Did you finish the decoupage with the wine labels?
msv