Minced Lamb frozen in 1999. Ok to defrost & eat?

[UncleRic]

I've just found 2lbs of frozen minced lamb in the depths of my freezer. Seems I bought it back in '99 (according to the label I put on it..).

The colour looks ok and it's not covered in ice (unlike minced beef which seems to go white and suffer from 'freezer burn'.)

I don't like wasting food if I can avoid it. Do you think it'll be ok for something like a chilli, and then will it be ok to re-freeze the portions once cooked (presumably so I can eat it 2020!!)

[Pferdestarke]

I'd say maybe pass on this one Ric. If you average out the depreciation over the last 11 years you won't really feel it in the pocket!

[Austin.J]

Try it, then try post back when you're pissing out of your backside.

[Yazza54]

Seriously? Are we seriously having this discussion?

Throw it away you minger

[UncleRic]

Thanks guys. I knew PH would produce some level-headed responses.

The lamb is now defrosting in my bin.

[calibrax]

I'd keep it in the freezer until the day of the rubbish collection, rather than allowing it to defrost and stink up my bin...

[bazking69]

Suitable for the bin and that is it.

[LMC]

Will it still be lamb, or will it be old mutton

[Simpo Two]

One wonders whether it will be unfit due to microbial activity, or simply chemical deterioration of the meat.

[Sheets Tabuer]

1999, good god when did you last clean your freezer?

[Rollcage]

Yesterday I saw a girl who works on the deli counter at work (and should thus know better) eat a yoghurt that was two months out of date, but had been kept in her fridge "and is OK".

Apparently, not much goes to waste in her house.


Evidently!

[williamp]

Buy some more from the same supermarket. Then take this back, saying its out of date. See what they say!

[grumbledoak]

If you'd cooked it thoroughly, it probably would have been be safe to eat.

I cannot imagine it would have been nice, mind.

[Simpo Two]

Worth pointing out that food is not out of date when it 'out of date'; that's merely a worst-case scenario for people who can't tell otherwise (and is responsible for vast amounts of wasted food, food miles, landfill, carbons etc in our fked up society)

[Rollcage]

Simpo Two said:

Worth pointing out that food is not out of date when it 'out of date'; that's merely a worst-case scenario for people who can't tell otherwise (and is responsible for vast amounts of wasted food, food miles, landfill, carbons etc in our fked up society)

Two sorts of "out of date" -

Best before - purely advisory guide as to the quality of the contents.

"use by/sell by" - legally enforceable guide to the quality of the contents.


Most ambient product (IE canned/packet groceries) is "Best before", and chilled/fresh/short life product is the latter.

[Mobile Chicane]

I'd imagine it would be perfectly safe to eat but taste horrible due to fats going rancid.

[Glassman]

williamp said:

Buy some more from the same supermarket. Then take this back, saying its out of date. See what they say!

[Simpo Two]

Rollcage said:

Two sorts of "out of date" -

Best before - purely advisory guide as to the quality of the contents.

"use by/sell by" - legally enforceable guide to the quality of the contents.

Indeed, in the same way that the man who puts up the '30' sign doesn't know what the road conditons will be when I happen to drive past it

[WEHGuy]

Simpo Two said:

Rollcage said:

Two sorts of "out of date" -

Best before - purely advisory guide as to the quality of the contents.

"use by/sell by" - legally enforceable guide to the quality of the contents.

Indeed, in the same way that the man who puts up the '30' sign doesn't know what the road conditons will be when I happen to drive past it

Good one

[Pothole]

Simpo Two said:

Rollcage said:

Two sorts of "out of date" -

Best before - purely advisory guide as to the quality of the contents.

"use by/sell by" - legally enforceable guide to the quality of the contents.

Indeed, in the same way that the man who puts up the '30' sign doesn't know what the road conditons will be when I happen to drive past it

nor does he give a fk, he's employed by the council (or somebody) to put up signs!