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Best before dates

(26 Posts)
Janal1 Mon 28-Apr-25 12:01:44

I have two bottles of Balsamic vinegar both bought in Sainsburys,one is there own with a best before date of Sept 23 and the other is Filippo Berio with a use by date of 10/24.
Both are unopened and Sainsburys are telling me to dispose of them.
What would you all advise please?

BlueBelle Mon 28-Apr-25 12:04:29

Well each to their own but I would use them I don’t think I ve ever looked at dates on vinegar mines probably years old

kittylester Mon 28-Apr-25 12:05:13

Unless you use loads, I'd maybe dump the Sainsbury's one and use the Filippo Berio one.

Allira Mon 28-Apr-25 12:05:35

Vinegar is a preservative, or so I thought.

Sainsbury's will tell you to dispose of it to be on the safe side but personally I'd use it, especially if neither has been opened.

I remember when I was a child, the vinegar often used to develop a 'mother' but we carried on using it.

NotSpaghetti Mon 28-Apr-25 12:06:55

I would use them. I'd taste them first if they weren't already "aged".
They are vinegar after all.

Don't forget everything has to have a "Best Before" date - even honey!

Allira Mon 28-Apr-25 12:08:12

Must check the dates on ours.

Tesco Organic Balsamic Vinegar - June 2023!

TooManyJobs Mon 28-Apr-25 12:09:57

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest, and I'd continue to use both!

Janal1 Mon 28-Apr-25 12:10:34

Thanks all.

Allira Mon 28-Apr-25 12:11:39

NotSpaghetti

I would use them. I'd taste them first if they weren't already "aged".
They are vinegar after all.

Don't forget everything has to have a "Best Before" date - even honey!

The honey found in the ancient Egyptian tombs was still edible. Not able to be sold because it had no use by date! 🍯

ferry23 Mon 28-Apr-25 12:12:15

I won't even tell you the "best by" date on the bottle of eye wateringly expensive balsamic we infrequently use for salad dressings.

I reckon Mussolini was still in power when we bought it in Italy.

Allira Mon 28-Apr-25 12:14:35

πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

You're older than I thought ferry23!

Janal1 Mon 28-Apr-25 12:17:07

On the same theme,i've got an unopened packet inside a tight lidded tin of Ahmad Earl Grey loose tea dated 2019,again was advised by Ahmad to get rid.
Any thoughts?

Allira Mon 28-Apr-25 12:24:04

Um, I have a packet of loose Yorkshire tea dated 2016.
Now, does anyone remember the days when tea came in sacks and the grocer weighed it out into packets?
How old was some of thet?

If you don't fancy drinking it, tea is very good for cleaning mirrors and windows. (Without milk of course πŸ˜ƒ)

silverlining48 Mon 28-Apr-25 12:24:12

Jana I started using two tins of loose tea recently, which were bought in India in 2019. One is rose tea and the other white tea. I can still smell the roses 🌹

ferry23 Mon 28-Apr-25 12:30:19

Allira

πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

You're older than I thought ferry23!

When I moved a year ago Allira, I finally got rid of a little pot of ground ginger which apparently cost 10d.

Yes that is "d" and not "p". grin

Janal1 Mon 28-Apr-25 12:35:52

On the same theme ,i've got an unopened packet inside a tight lidded tin of Ahmad Earl Grey loose tea dated 2019,again advised by Ahmad to get rid.
Any thoughts?

Janal1 Mon 28-Apr-25 12:39:11

Thanks all.

Allira Mon 28-Apr-25 12:44:24

ferry23

Allira

πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

You're older than I thought ferry23!

When I moved a year ago Allira, I finally got rid of a little pot of ground ginger which apparently cost 10d.

Yes that is "d" and not "p". grin

πŸ˜€

I had a clear out recently but some things seemed to have crept back into the cupboards.

d what is this d of which you speak?
wink

eddiecat78 Mon 28-Apr-25 13:04:28

Janal1

On the same theme ,i've got an unopened packet inside a tight lidded tin of Ahmad Earl Grey loose tea dated 2019,again advised by Ahmad to get rid.
Any thoughts?

Old tea won't do you any harm but it probably won't taste as good as when it was fresh. Try it and see!

Calendargirl Mon 28-Apr-25 13:07:24

Just checked….

Tesco Balsamic Vinegar, June 2018. Half used. Had a job getting the top off, but smells ok, β€˜vinegary’.

Tesco Toasted Sesame Oil, July 2018. Also half used. Will taste it, and most probably use it.

M0nica Mon 28-Apr-25 13:43:59

Best by dates means that there might be changes in flavour or consistency after that date. IT HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SAFETY OF THE PRODUCT.

Vinegar is a preservative. Your basalmic vinegar could have a used by date of June 2000. It would still be completely safe to use. I have a bottle in my larder labelled 03 24. It will stay in my larder and I will eventually use it when the current bottle runs out, may be later this year. By the time I finish the spare bottle it will probably be 2027. It will be as safe to consume then as now - and I doubt there will be much change in flavour or texture.

petra Mon 28-Apr-25 13:54:09

My partner ( who does all the cooking) would consider those dates new πŸ˜‚

Norah Mon 28-Apr-25 15:06:21

petra

My partner ( who does all the cooking) would consider those dates new πŸ˜‚

As would I.

I use brown vinegar most days - doesn't last long here. I can appreciate others may not love Italian food and use less, but it's vinegar, fit for consumption.

Elowen33 Mon 28-Apr-25 15:26:04

The acidity of vinegar makes it resistant to bacteria growth, after a best before date it may not taste so strong.

Consumables with a best before date are safe to eat but the taste may be different.

NotAGran55 Mon 28-Apr-25 18:59:47

www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/18644

It’s perfectly OK according Still Tasty