How to Know When Foods are Finished
FREEZER FOODS:
ICE CREAM:
If you can't tell the difference between your ice cubes and your ice cream, it's time to throw BOTH out.
FROZEN FOODS:
Frozen foods that have become an integral part of the defrosting problem in your freezer compartment will probably be spoiled (or wrecked anyway) by the time you pry them out with a kitchen knife.
IN THE FRIDGE:
EGGS:
When something starts pecking its way out of the shell, the egg is probably past its prime.
DAIRY PRODUCTS:
Milk is spoiled when it starts to look like yogurt. Yogurt is spoiled when it starts to look like cottage cheese. Cottage Cheese is spoiled when it starts to look like regular cheese. Regular cheese is nothing but spoiled milk anyway - if you can dig down and still find something non-green, bon appetite!
MEAT:
If opening the refrigerator causes stray animals from a three block radius to congregate outside your house, toss the meat.
UNMARKED ITEMS:
You know it is well beyond prime when you've tempted to discard the Tupperware along with food.
ON THE SHELF:
CANNED GOODS:
Any canned goods that have become the size or shape of a softball should be disposed of...V-e-r-y carefully.
POTATOES:
Fresh potatoes do not have roots, branches, or dense, leafy undergrowth.
CEREAL:
It is generally a good rule of thumb that cereal should be discarded when it is two years or longer beyond the expiration date, or when it will no longer fall out of the box itself.
FLOUR:
Flour is spoiled when it wiggles, or things fly out when you open it.
RAISINS:
Raisins should not usually be harder than your teeth.
Originally published October 08, 2005.
