argh--past expiration date

[Anonymous]

Venting--I started to make a double batch of lasagne and freeze it (I know, not really the time of year for it, but I needed to get rid of all the giant cans of tomato products in my cupboard), and discovered the mozzarella in my fridge says used by May 4. I don't think it's even been in there all that long. So annoying...guess I'll put the sauce in the fridge until I can run to the store.

[Anonymous]

If the cheese isn't moldy or smelly (and I doubt it is if it's the pre-shredded stuff that lasts forever), you can use it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the cheese isn't moldy or smelly (and I doubt it is if it's the pre-shredded stuff that lasts forever), you can use it.

You think? It's just bricks of cheese from Costco. If it were only a week past I would hesitate, but a month gives me pause.

[Anonymous]

Smell it. Taste it. Touch it.
If it has the right smell, taste and texture, chances are it's good to be baked at high temperature in a lasagna.

(I taught microbiology in college.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Smell it. Taste it. Touch it.

Yes, exactly this. Expiration dates on food are extraordinarily conservative. Trust your nose, it knows WAY more than the manufacturer does.

[Anonymous]

There's a lot of variation in refrigerator temps both at home and in store, and I also agree witih PP about conservative dates. If not moldy, I'd use without hesitation.