a question about meat.

Reznik

I have 2 packages of beef strips for stir fry, but because I am a derp I didn't notice the expiry date on them was Jan 8. They've been sitting unopened in the fridge. Am I going to be terribly food poisoned if I cook them up? My mom was always super paranoid about expiry dates so I have no concept of if there is any leeway on them, but now that I'm living on my own food is expensive so I'd like to avoid tossing them if I can. I stuck them in the freezer for now.

TychoCelchuuu

Open them up and smell them.

Sterica

It should be fine, but I would cook the meat a bit more than normal. Like TC said, smell the meat and look for visible signs of spoilage. Expiration dates are estimates; it doesn't mean bacteria and mold is scheduled to move in on the 8th. In many cases there's a lot of give to those dates because they definitely don't want customers angry that their meat went bad prior to the date.

ceres

Speaking as someone who is super paranoid about expiration dates, I know biologically that my obsession borders on superstition at this point. It's only been two days. But if you are going to make them, make them TONIGHT and eat them as soon as you can.

Sterica

Yeah, I'd cook this weekend if you got nothing else planned. No reason to take the risk.

Reznik

Cool, thanks folks.