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Christmas

Think I should throw them away?

(71 Posts)
sunseeker Fri 06-Dec-19 12:39:04

Sorting through the freezer (making room for Christmas goodies) I have come across some mince pies from last year blush. Should I risk defrosting and eating them or just throw them away?

Callistemon Sat 07-Dec-19 11:08:08

I found 2 Christmas puddings at the back of a cupboard with BB date April 2019!
I found three Christmas puddings in the cupboard, no idea of the BB date as they were home made, probably three years ago now!!

Maremia Sat 07-Dec-19 10:14:25

Thanks Lemongrove. Hadn't realised that fact about bread in a freezer. Any idea how long it lasts? It's fine, I'll look it up.

Merryweather Sat 07-Dec-19 10:00:48

Oh my!
Throw away mince pies! Noooooooooooo. Never. I love mince pies and Christmas pudding. Personally I just couldn't throw them unless they tasted odd. Xxx

Harris27 Sat 07-Dec-19 09:58:19

Eat!

missdeke Sat 07-Dec-19 09:57:19

The mince part will be fine, the pastry texture may have altered though, especially if it was puff pastry.

JaneA Sat 07-Dec-19 09:56:35

I've still got a Christmas pudding I bought in 1970. It was 1/3d. I have no intention of eating it though.... I just can't bring myself to throw it away.

Davida1968 Sat 07-Dec-19 09:47:13

If you aren't happy to eat the mince pies, then you could crumble them up and put them out for the birds. Mince pies contain high calorie ingredients, which birds will benefit from - especially at this time of year.

love0c Sat 07-Dec-19 08:54:47

Don't throw them away! I always make lots of mince pies every year and freeze them. Had the last batch last month from last Christmas and they were delicious!! Just make sure you defrost them thoroughly as you don't want them to be 'cold' on the tongue.

Hetty58 Sat 07-Dec-19 08:46:13

'Best before' can be ignored really, whereas 'Use by' should be considered carefully. Common sense, taste and smell are the most reliable methods, though. I think food retailers deliberately put short dates on - to encourage more buying.

I often cook chilled or frozen food that's nearing it's 'use' date, then cool and freeze it!

annep1 Sat 07-Dec-19 08:36:33

Calendargirl you don't think it would result in food poisoning but you don't know. I prefer to stick to guidance on food packaging.

Hetty58 Fri 06-Dec-19 22:50:35

Dogs aren't allowed any dried fruit - give one to the husband instead!

Chewbacca Fri 06-Dec-19 22:44:15

Give one to the dog. If he eats it and survives for 6 hours; they're fine for you to eat. Fail proof!

AllotmentLil Fri 06-Dec-19 22:26:10

I’m with Calendargirl!

DanniRae Fri 06-Dec-19 19:37:54

I cook and test them on Mr R first - he'd eat anything!! tchgrin

Calendargirl Fri 06-Dec-19 18:59:45

The OP is asking about mince pies annepl, not prawns or oysters. It’s just a bit of pastry and a spoonful of mincemeat. If the mincemeat tastes off, fermented, then you wouldn’t eat it, but I don’t think it would result in food poisoning.

annep1 Fri 06-Dec-19 16:43:53

I never take risks. Don't see the point. I would if I was counting every penny and didn't have a choice. Food poisoning is not nice.

cornergran Fri 06-Dec-19 16:41:16

Only a year old? Not matured yet grin. Eat away, they and you will be fine.

BBbevan Fri 06-Dec-19 16:37:45

Just have one sunseeker, and see how you go. Just remember to post in the next few days so we don't fear the worst. ?

mumofmadboys Fri 06-Dec-19 16:13:24

I agree if stuff is frozen for too long it may affect the taste quality but is perfectly safe to eat.

sodapop Fri 06-Dec-19 16:07:22

Eat them sunseeker or invite me for tea and I will. I love mince pies.
Christmas puddings keep for years nanasam we ate one earlier this year which was three years old.

Maggiemaybe Fri 06-Dec-19 15:42:29

Though I’ll put goggles on in case it explodes like my homemade stuff used to.

Maggiemaybe Fri 06-Dec-19 15:41:21

I’m just mulling grin over what to do with a bottle of mulled wine from 2017 that I’ve just come across in a dark corner of our cellar. Coal cellar not wine cellar in case anyone gets the wrong impression.

Try it and see but don’t give it to guests is my first thought.

Calendargirl Fri 06-Dec-19 15:08:17

As others have said, defrost and eat. If they don’t taste nice, don’t eat, but I’m sure they will be fine, far too much fuss made over how long stuff can be kept for.

Sussexborn Fri 06-Dec-19 14:38:22

I thought it was more a case of freezing affecting the taste rather than being a health risk.

midgey Fri 06-Dec-19 14:12:55

Taste test first, you certainly won’t be killed off!! Waste not want not. grin