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Originally Posted by BamaVol
(Post 6262221)
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 |
Originally Posted by You want to go where?
(Post 7708673)
My own rule of thumb adds into account when the milk was opened. A sealed container of milk will last longer than one that has been opened. So, I have found that the 5-7 day rule holds from when the milk is opened or from the sell by date, which ever comes first. You definitely can't keep an open carton/bottle of milk for 3 weeks even if the sell by date hasn't been reached yet.
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Originally Posted by msv
(Post 7708712)
Also, Did you finish the decoupage with the wine labels? msv |
The smell taste is enough for me, but I also am a bit phobic and won't go past the sell by date. I do sometimes by the Skim-plus which seems to have a 3-4 week timeframe for the sell-by date. I also find for some reason if the milk sits in the refridge unsued for say 3 or 4 days, it gets that funky smell (not quite sour yet, but a bitter smell) and I dump it.
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My fridge keeps things at 33 degrees F. At that temp even an opened container of milk keeps about a month.
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You could pasturize it again by boiling it again, then letting it cool and storing it in a fridge, could you not? :)
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Originally Posted by pueywei
(Post 7715222)
You could pasturize it again by boiling it again, then letting it cool and storing it in a fridge, could you not? :)
QC at the company I worked took samples right off the filling line, put into a home type frig at 40 degrees. We expected that milk to be as fresh as day one at 40 days. Opening the gable top carton with dirty hands is the best way to reduce shelf life. |
I have a weak stomach. so I dont take chances.The idea of smelling the milk and their being a chance of me smelling a nasty smell kills my appitite. I just buy the half gallons at least 3 weeks ahead of the exp date and finish it in a week.
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When it smells awful and looks gooey.
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I obey expiry dates. What does it really save me if I don't, 2 gallons of milk?
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