Food in fridge - when to toss?

[JFTB1177]

I had a bagel with veggie cream cheese today and noticed there was that liquidy stuff at the bottom of the container... is that ok? I think I bought it on the 4th, so it's about 8 days old. I found something online that says to toss cream cheese at 2 weeks. It also says salsa only stays good in the fridge for 3 days and I'll eat it for weeks after opened!!!!

What do you guys think? Just wanna be safe while PG.

http://www.pastrywiz.com/storage/refridgerated.htm

[JFTB1177]

No one? My tummy is a bit upset right now and I'm worried it was the cream cheese...

[nova22]

What was the expiration date, and did it stink? With dairy, you can usually tell it's bad if it has a foul odor. I have used sour cream that had separated a bit, I just either pour it off or stir it in unless it's expired or smelly.

That salsa rule seems a bit strict to me - who can eat an entire jar of salsa in three days, unless you're serving it at a party?! We always keep it longer than that.

ETA: we throw away leftovers after 3-4 days, so we're pretty conservative with that...but I really think your cream cheese and salsa was fine

[Ellen Griswold]

I'm honestly not sure, but likely would not eat the cream cheese for taste reasons as compared to actual illness reasons. The thing about the salsa shocks me. We've eaten salsa much much much older than 3 days. My rule of thumb on leftovers is a week and then toss. I have nothing to base this rule on, however.

[JFTB1177]

Originally Posted by nova22

What was the expiration date, and did it stink? With dairy, you can usually tell it's bad if it has a foul odor. I have used sour cream that had separated a bit, I just either pour it off or stir it in unless it's expired or smelly.
.

The expiration date on the bottom on the container says "best if used by Dec 3 2010" so I'm assuming it's ok, even though it's been opened for 8 days?

No, it doesn't seem to stink...

I don't get the salsa thing either!!! Right, who can eat a jar of salsa in 3 days???

Also, my mom made us chili and brought it over the day before yesterday (it had meat in it). How long should I keep before tossing? Also, is it safe when reheated to steaming in the microwave? I ate some yesterday reheated.

[JFTB1177]

Smelled it again (cream cheese) and it doesn't seem to stink although it smells different than regular cream cheese because it's veggie cream cheese.

[nova22]

Originally Posted by JFTB1177

The expiration date on the bottom on the container says "best if used by Dec 3 2010" so I'm assuming it's ok, even though it's been opened for 8 days?

In my unprofessional opinion, it sounds okay.

Originally Posted by JFTB1177

Also, my mom made us chili and brought it over the day before yesterday (it had meat in it). How long should I keep before tossing? Also, is it safe when reheated to steaming in the microwave? I ate some yesterday reheated.

I'd keep it 3-4 days, and heating to steaming should be fine, maybe stir it up once during microwaving if you want, to make sure it's heating evenly. If you have a lot left, hurry up and put it in a gallon-sized ziplock bag, label with the date that the chili was made, and freeze it. It will be good for six months from the date of when it was made.

[karika]

your tummy is likely upset due to eating dairy and gluten IMO. I had pain, diarrhea, constipation, gas, extreme pain... for most of my life (was convinced I had food poisoning on more than 8 occasions) and have had none since going CF/GF/SF.

As for food safety- An opened cream cheese should be used within 7-10 days. This varies due to a refrigerator's temperature, how much food is in it (affects temp in specific areas), if you put hot food in to cool down... etc.

Salsa is good until you see mold growing on it. The acidity of the ingredients keeps it fresher much longer. I believe the rule of thumb on the jars says to use it within 30 days. It probably matters if you are using natural salsa or mainstream also.... I personally have had a jar of salsa in the fridge for months more than once and it was fine to ingest.

Things that have vinegar, salt or sugar as one of the first ingredients stay good the longest...

hth.


eta chili with meat... if it is hamburger meat, rule of thumb is 3 days from day of cooking. I no longer use a microwave at all, and to be the safest you can be, I recommend heating it on the stove in a saucepan to bubbling, or in oven (I have a counter oven)....

[rhiOrion]

I think her stomach probably hurts because she's pregnant.

And I think both the cream cheese and salsa are fine.

And, if you mix the two together you'll have a great snack!

[JFTB1177]

Thanks so much guys!! I did put most of the chili in the freezer last night.

Ok, I'm gonna toss the cream cheese now, just so I don't forget in the next few days.

My tummy upset could totally be due to the dairy! Hoping that's what it is. I wouldn't feel an upset stomach soooo soon after if I caught something, right?

That's a good idea to reheat in a saucepan, will do that next time! I did reheat it like 3 times (so cooked 5 min in all until I was satisfied that it was really hot all the way through) when I did it in the microwave yesterday. Do you think I'm ok? It was pretty hot.