OK, when I first was struggling with keto diet 15 months ago, I had ordered some protein powder to make protein shakes with. Flash forward to today, I ended up finding premier protein shakes ready to drink and got a good subscribe and save deal via Amazon. Now I'm scheduled for gastric sleeve surgery on 7/1/19 and am taking stock of what I can still use that I had ordered before but never opened. I have choc celebrate protein powder - expired as of Feb 2019 and I think a cookies and cream one that 'expired' Dec 2018.

We all kind of learn what we can/cannot use, taking our own risk of course, throughout adulthood but when it comes to protein powder, I have no idea if it's a definite 'MUST TOSS' as it could cause all kinds of problems or...'CAN STILL USE'.

Anyone have any experience with this? Since the one that expired as of 'Feb 2019', well NONE of them have ever been opened...I am SO TORN.

In Australia we have best before and use by dates.

Best before is usually on dry goods and the items are generally safe to eat after the date( even years after the date) but may overtime not taste exactly the same as if they were fresh.

Use by applies to items such as meat and dairy and eggs and these are not safe to eat after the date.

Since the introduction of the dating system millions of tons of food are wasted every year UNNECESSARILY. There is usually no scientific process used to work out the dates , instead the manufacturers put on a date to cover their a@ses as these days people like to sue for anything.

The best way to proceed is to open your powder look at it and smell it. If it looks the way it should and doesn’t smell funny than it is probably fine to consume.

Interestingly in the news recently they have been taking about expiry dates on medications and how even these aren’t accurate and that most meds are generally fine long after their expiry date!

1 hour ago, elcee said:

In Australia we have best before and use by dates.

Best before is usually on dry goods and the items are generally safe to eat after the date( even years after the date) but may overtime not taste exactly the same as if they were fresh.

Use by applies to items such as meat and dairy and eggs and these are not safe to eat after the date.

Since the introduction of the dating system millions of tons of food are wasted every year UNNECESSARILY. There is usually no scientific process used to work out the dates , instead the manufacturers put on a date to cover their a@ses as these days people like to sue for anything.

The best way to proceed is to open your powder look at it and smell it. If it looks the way it should and doesn’t smell funny than it is probably fine to consume.

Interestingly in the news recently they have been taking about expiry dates on medications and how even these aren’t accurate and that most meds are generally fine long after their expiry date!

Hey Elcee,

Yeah, in the U.S. we also have 'Use By' and/or 'Best buy' dates. Depends on the product. I work with supply chain logistics software so we deal with pharma and grocery store industries and many other industries. That's why I did not immediately toss.

Was curious about the protein powder as to what to look for and you basically answered that, which I appreciate. Yeah, on meds and other things I do not have great faith in the reliability of dates.

it's probably fine. I tend to go by the dates for perishable things like meats and dairy, but you can usually go well beyond the expiration date with a lot of non-perishable products. Like the above poster said, just smell it. You'll know if it's gone bad or not.

Yeah if it's been sealed and stored properly it should be fine but be sure to check the smell and taste to be sure.

As someone who habitually plays refrigerator roulette (as well as freezer and pantry/med cabinet roulette) daily, LOL! I'd say whip up a big ol' shake now and taste it. Better yet, open it and take a whiff. If it doesn't have a curdled or sour flavor I'd make a shake and taste it. How does it smell made into the shake? How does it taste? Did it make you hurl?

I can almost guarantee if it's bad, you'll spit rather than swallow. Happy spinning!

I'm a freak about throwing away anything that's already expired

12 hours ago, GradyCat said:

I'm a freak about throwing away anything that's already expired

Ohhhh a rule follower!

On 7/25/2019 at 6:09 PM, GradyCat said:

I'm a freak about throwing away anything that's already expired

Me too! I’m very OCD about expiration dates .... any married to someone who could find something in the fridge from God knows when and eat it lol total opposites.