SC - What Kinda Dog?

[upsxdls@Okstate.edu]

In a message dated 5/19/99 3:07:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
PRIDEelectric at centuryinter.net writes:

<<  I called the company and discussed
 it with them.  Turned out it had expired some time ago.  This sent me on a 
quest
 to figure out the dates on all the stuff on my shelves.  I hate to say it 
but I
 threw a lot of stuff away.   >>

I commend you on your  research is this area. I would  caution anyone against 
going into their larder and willy nilly throwing out everything that is 
outdated though. The shelf life time is, according to the Campbell's 
representative that I spoke to, an average shelf life and does not represent 
a specific time after which the product is unfit for consumption. It 
represents the time the product is expected to maintain it self in PRIME 
condition. Actual uable shelf life can and often does, extend well beyond the 
date recommended. Sometimes for several years.

Granted, baking powder can loose it's strength, yeast can dessicate and die, 
flours (especially those containing the germ of the grain), various fats, 
etc. can and do go rancid and become inedible. But the best bet is to open 
the product and through smell or other signs determine if it is actually bad. 
Canned goods and  bottled goods, as well as, spices and non-fatty foods have 
a considerable shelf life, sometimes many years beyond the  'commercially' 
recommended shelf life if stored correctly.

Use common sense and do not put too much reliance on  commercial 
pronouncements. The food companies are in the business to sell food and it is 
in their best interests if you throw things away because of a specific date 
printed on an item. 

Ras
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