What to do with slightly dated cheese? (consume, buy, tasty)

[cityhopper]

I purchased some frying cheese maybe 3 months ago and stored in the fridge, unopened. I realized the sell-by/use-by date is 1/24/2010. I have not noticed any type of molding. Am I okay if I consume this by the end of the week or should I not take any chances here. I will definitely pan-fry the cheese prior to eating.

BTW, if you are not familiar with frying cheese, just Google the term for pictures and companies that distribute frying cheese.

Thanks

[treeluvr]

Originally Posted by cityhopper

I purchased some frying cheese maybe 3 months ago and stored in the fridge, unopened. I realized the sell-by/use-by date is 1/24/2010. I have not noticed any type of molding. Am I okay if I consume this by the end of the week or should I not take any chances here. I will definitely pan-fry the cheese prior to eating.

BTW, if you are not familiar with frying cheese, just Google the term for pictures and companies that distribute frying cheese.

Thanks

If you don't see any mold, it shouldn't be a problem. Cheese is basically a preserved food (not for ever, of course). But if there are no mold spores on it when it's packaged, it will stay good for quite a while.

[hugepossum]

I vote that it be eaten.

[whollyhannah]

I would use it. Have had items that were way overdue and used them. As long the integrity is still the same as when you bought it, I would use it.

[Glad2BHere]

Check out StillTasty: Your Ultimate Shelf Life Guide - Save Money, Eat Better, Help The Environment

Great resource and may answer your question

[DawnMTL]

Me: I'd have thrown it out a few days BEFORE its "best used by" date.

My husband: Would eat it as long as it wasn't moldy, even long past its "best used by" date.

Please report back about what you did. If we don't hear from you, we'll guess that you ate it and we'll assume the worst.

[kelsie]

I put all my cheeses in Food Saver Bags and they last up to 6 mos. BTW, you can cut the mold off hard cheeses and it is still fine to consume.

[JustJulia]

My unscientific rule is that if it smells fine, it's okay to eat. Spoiled food does not smell good. Take a big whiff. Does it smell normal? Then eat it.

[bluebeard]

I agree with the posts to use your senses. Dates are stamped on for regulations and selling, not once you bring it home. In high school I knew someone that threw out their milk past the "Buy by" date. That surprised the heck out of me.
Cheese: If it has mold, cut it off. Smell it, is it spoiled? If not, take a small taste. If its fine, then eat it up.

[bjh]

As someone who used grated parmasan today that "expired" in July (but has been in the refrigerator the whole time) I agree with the others. Cheese is meant to be better with age. If it smells or tastes bad, though, then throw it out.