As more of us are being forced to stretch our food dollars further, the question on some of our minds is: Can I eat that old can of soup in the back of the cupboard? Or more generally: Can I eat expired food?
Nadia Arumugam, a food writer whose work has appeared in Slate, the Guardian, and The Times of London wanted to find out. She embarked on a diet consisting solely of expired foods for two weeks. She tells us how the food tasted and whether she got sick.
And Dr. Ted Labuza of the University of Minnesota looks at whether Nadia's experiment was a good or a bad idea for her own health. He also tells us when expiration dates matter, and when they don't.
Star Trek: Past, Present and Future
The IRS Scandal: Who Gets Tax-Exempt Status?, Depression's Lessons, 'Star Trek: Into Darkness'
From 'Spinal Tap' to 'Family Tree,' the Wild Worlds of Christopher Guest
Senator Gillibrand on Sexual Assault in the Military, Implementing the Affordable Care Act, Responses: Your Most Difficult Boss
'David's Inferno': Depression's Lessons
The show is a co-production of WNYC Radio and Public Radio International, in collaboration with New York Times Radio and WGBH Boston.
Major funding provided by:
Comments [4]
Maybe it was me but just when Dr Labuza was explaining the vinegar leaches Todd stepped on his comments. Did he say the leaches were harmless or harmful? That was a fun segment. Todd... mayonnaise is our friend.
I sure hope Todd has NOT been using the same toothbrush for three years! That would seem to exclude him from any dental health care plan.
I once struggled over whether to buy a container of shucked oysters I found in the bargain bin of a local store - it was very cheap, but I knew it might be a... problem. I did buy them, made a superb oyster stew, and had no ill effects - but the tension I felt as I waited out the oysters rather negated the value of the bargain.
LOL! You have a funny idea about what nature has given us as survival skills. Here's how I see it: YOU taste the food. I watch what happens to you. That's my survival skill! Not all bad food smells bad and NO WAY am I going to experiment on myself, thank you very much.
Here's what I do with expiration dates: ask the manufacturer. So far I've learned that the date stamp can refer to when the product picks up too much of the can's metallic taste, or to when the product loses flavor.
Best idea: do like frugal people have always done--only buy as much as you need and manage your kitchen wisely.
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.