Definitely use the sniff test - bad tofu smells bad!

I don't think it's worth taking the chance after the "best by" date.

I've been taking the chance with mayonnaise (Hellman's) after Grainlady referred me to the stilltasty site. I'm still alive and well eating mayo 8 weeks past the use by date. Had it again today in tunafish sandwich.

The aroma and flavor aren't as pleasing as usual, but it's defihitely edible. Once you get over the psychological barrier of "use by date", it does save you money.

wintercat-

Interestingly enough, mayonnaise (unopened and stored in a cool, dark, environment) is on a list I have of "indefinite (or nearly so) storage items" I received from a Food Storage Class, and also from other scientific sources on-line. After being opened, however, it goes downhill from there as determined by other contributing factors.

An opened and partially-used container of mayo that has food debris in it, cross-contamination from meat on the knife and back into the spread, and/or has spent long periods of time sitting out of the refrigerator or at an unsafe refrigerator temperature (and most people haven't any idea what their refrigerator temperature actually is, nor what a food-safe temperature is), will be something I would consider "questionable for safe use" BOTH before or after the use-by or best-by date.

A jar that has been kept free from food particles and cross-contamination, and has spent 90% of it's in-use time at a food-safe temperature will keep much longer even after opening, and I wouldn't hesitate to use it long after the date expired. This is where common sense comes in when asking if something is "still good".

-Grainlady

What about freezing bacon 5-6 days after it's use by date? OK right?

I'd freeze it.......or cook it partway and freeze it that way.

Thanks, Jasdip.

Catherine-

Here's the information about bacon from the web site "Still Tasty".

http://stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/16432

Refrigerator - Unopened - 1-week after use-by date on the package

Be sure to read the TIPS at the bottom of the link above and at this link. That should help you out.

http://stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/16431

"The aroma and flavor aren't as pleasing as usual, but it's defihitely edible."

I have no problem eating something that has a best before date that has past.

BUT, only if the aroma and flavor is as pleasing and the same as usual. If there is any change in freshness and flavour I wouldn't eat it.

I don't see food dates as psychological barriers but as objective guideline markers for freshness. A food may be edible to a certain point past its due date but its freshness is subjectively preferable from person to person.

I've walked on the wild side with tofu, I will say that.

Grainlady - many thanks for the additional information.

Ann - you have a point, only I was quite furious with myself for over-stocking mayo that was sold on discount. Plus, one feels so virtuous eating such punitive mayo that it somehow offsets the deteriorated flavor.

Back to the old tofu: even if it's not foul-smelling, I would definitely rinse it very well before using...