Are my 3 year old fish fingers OK to eat?
Last night whilst cleaning out my freezer chest I found an unopened packet of fish fingers buried beneath the ice and snow; they'd been there for quite some time and had a 'use by' date of 21st September 2003. They were within the 'use by' date when I purchased them [frozen] and they were stored in the freezer straight away, where they have remained at about -20C.
When I look at the date on the label eating three year old fish fingers makes me nervous, but when I look at the picture below...
Is it safe?
Last night whilst cleaning out my freezer chest I found an unopened packet of fish fingers buried beneath the ice and snow; they'd been there for quite some time and had a 'use by' date of 21st September 2003. They were within the 'use by' date when I purchased them [frozen] and they were stored in the freezer straight away, where they have remained at about -20C.
When I look at the date on the label eating three year old fish fingers makes me nervous, but when I look at the picture below...
Is it safe?
Leaving aside your freezer management
Bon Apetit
Yes, the picture is safe.
As to the product, depends on your liking for rancidity.
Prepare for French-football disease (Z. pibitis).
Rgds / Charles.C
Dear Simon,
Prepare for French-football disease (Z. pibitis).
deep fry said fish fingers in a good quality oil (will kill off any bacteria, hopefully)
serving in cheap, plastic white bread with a liberal dollop of marg, salt and oodles of pepper
lovely jubbly!!
deep fry said fish fingers in a good quality oil (will kill off any bacteria, hopefully)
serving in cheap, plastic white bread with a liberal dollop of marg, salt and oodles of pepper
lovely jubbly!!
Indeed. Is it too hot for the Chippy; (rhetorical question) is it ever too hot for the chippy? We've got a really good one near us, golden brown chips and batter to die for. It will get me in the end, but at least I'll die happy.
The original fish fingers actually contained quite large amounts of fish. This has progressively declined so the modern product is perhaps safer in this respect. Good luck.
Rgds / Charles.C
(in case of over-subtlety, Z = Zidane, pib = pain in belly)
PS - don't forget the vinegar.
Dear Simon,
The original fish fingers actually contained quite large amounts of fish. This has progressively declined so the modern product is perhaps safer in this respect. Good luck.
I don't know if Captain Birdseye casts his net as far as you Charles, but their packets of fishy digits now contain 100% cod. An about turn in quality I think. Granted they don't go as far as to say which parts of the fish are in there.
(in case of over-subtlety, Z = Zidane, pib = pain in belly)
I think it was mate.
Does this mean there is no breading ? I'm guessing but breading started at maybe 20- 25% then started to go up. If it's only cod, the Captain must have a special quota. Nonetheless, you are cetainly correct in that all sorts of fishy species have been tested. I had some on a BA flight a few years ago (kid's meal, I thought it would be safer) and it was unexpectedly tasty. In my area it varies but can be described as 'white fish".
Rgds / Charles.C
I had this client who does frozen partially cooked meat. We did the shelf life test to validate the shelf life of the product. The thing was that although the mirobe count was stable throughout the months of storage in the freezer, the product shelf life did not pass 3 months because of the increasingly higher peroxide value.
Just food for thought.
Cheers,
I extracted this from one of the Saferpak dwlable items -
A ‘‘Use by'' date appears on perishable foods that are prone to microbiological deterioration, e.g. yogurts, cheese, meat and fish. Consumption after the ‘‘Use by'' date presents a food poisoning risk. Some products may also be labelled with advice to ‘‘eat within x days of purchase''.
A ‘‘Best before'' date is used on most foods that are not prone to microbiological decay. It consists of a day, month and year, although for longer-life foods such as canned and some frozen foods, it may just be a month and year, or even just a year, in which case it will be preceded by the word ‘‘end''. ‘‘Best before'' dates refer to the time period in which the product remains in peak eating condition rather than representing a food safety risk.
If true would appear you are liable to micro. reactions at least (does frying eliminate toxins?). I predict the modern fish fingers use "Best Before" but with understood exclusions like 3yrs.
You could always test share it out first (the nearest and dearest?).
My guess is that you've eaten it already.
Rgds / Charles.C
Dear Simon,
I extracted this from one of the Saferpak dwlable items -
A ''Use by'' date appears on perishable foods that are prone to microbiological deterioration, e.g. yogurts, cheese, meat and fish. Consumption after the ''Use by'' date presents a food poisoning risk. Some products may also be labelled with advice to ''eat within x days of purchase''.
A ''Best before'' date is used on most foods that are not prone to microbiological decay. It consists of a day, month and year, although for longer-life foods such as canned and some frozen foods, it may just be a month and year, or even just a year, in which case it will be preceded by the word ''end''. ''Best before'' dates refer to the time period in which the product remains in peak eating condition rather than representing a food safety risk.
If true would appear you are liable to micro. reactions at least (does frying eliminate toxins?). I predict the modern fish fingers use "Best Before" but with understood exclusions like 3yrs.
You could always test share it out first (the nearest and dearest?).
My guess is that you've eaten it already.
Rgds / Charles.C
Thanks for clarifying the difference between 'Use by' and 'Best before'. We will have to remeber when someone asks as I'm sure they will. The fish fingers are long gone I tested them on the kids and they're still here.
Regards,
Simon
The fish fingers are long gone I tested them on the kids and they're still here.
Ha, typical dad.
Cheers,
The fish fingers are long gone I tested them on the kids and they're still here.
Regards,
Simon
So didn't you try them Simon???????????
Or did you think that they may not have been safe to eat ?????
I like to follow in the traditions of our Heraldic past. And you know in those days the King would never be the first to taste his food.So didn't you try them Simon???????????
Or did you think that they may not have been safe to eat ?????
Are you teling me everything in your freezer is in date?Simon, I have to ask the question, have you actually purchased any foodstuffs recently or are you existing solely on the remains of a big shop from sometime pre 2000?
One thing I must get rid of is an old trout caught by my neighbour. I topped and tailed it and removed the guts and put it in the freezer about 3 years ago. I haven't had the heart to throw it away, but have no intention of eating it.There may be some remnants from the last ice age lurking at the back ........
Regards,
Simon
I suggest getting a smaller freezer. It forces ruthlessness and good rotation!
We seem to be gettting some overlapping with the "wildest dreams" thread
It must be approaching the centennial aniversary of fish fingers, Sir Birdseye I believe.
Rgds / Charles.C
Mind you, I'm a bit of sad bloke like that - I do the same in the cupboards, fridge etc. Even worse, I have all of the labels forward facing. Her indoors thinks I am a complete lunatic when it comes to food!!
Have you ever worked in a mini-mart?How does anyone keep food in their freezer for that long? I stock up my freezer every month, taking everything out and putting new products at the back and moving existing stock to the front so it is used first.
Mind you, I'm a bit of sad bloke like that - I do the same in the cupboards, fridge etc. Even worse, I have all of the labels forward facing. Her indoors thinks I am a complete lunatic when it comes to food!!
How does anyone keep food in their freezer for that long? I stock up my freezer every month, taking everything out and putting new products at the back and moving existing stock to the front so it is used first.
Mind you, I'm a bit of sad bloke like that - I do the same in the cupboards, fridge etc. Even worse, I have all of the labels forward facing. Her indoors thinks I am a complete lunatic when it comes to food!!
Sounds like you should be training retailers!
Regards,
Tony