Best if used by

  • I have two bags of the cesar salad kit ( I only eat the lettuce out of it though) and it says the best by date was yesterday. It looks fine but is it ok to eat? I am really paranoid about this stuff.
  • I'm really careful about things like this as well! I think the "best by date" is more for freshness and taste. If the lettuce still looks crisp and green I would probably still eat it.
  • Thanks!
  • Quote: I'm really careful about things like this as well! I think the "best by date" is more for freshness and taste. If the lettuce still looks crisp and green I would probably still eat it.
    I agree with this!
  • The above comments are probably correct, but like you, I am a nutcase over stuff like this, so I would not eat it...however, my husband would.
  • I'd eat it!
  • Yup. I actually eat up to 2 weeks after best by date if it is still green and crisp (lettuce and baby spinach mostly) but if the spinach gets a bit wilty but not brown, I will cook it, not eat it raw.

    Same thing with carrots and celery but I keep them in water though so that helps keep them longer.
  • I don't eat things even if it's before "the best before date" if it looks like crap. so I say if it looks good eat it. A day or two doesn't really matter. I don't think. I was eating cottage cheese that was two days old from the best before date and I didn't even notice cause it tasted fine...but when I saw the date I chucked the rest out. lol. I think your cesar salad kit is okay.
  • The date is just a guideline. Some things can go "bad" before the date and some are good long after the date. Going by look, feel and smell is more accurate.