Ugggggh, please assist. My husband cooked soup with 5 year old bottled tomato juice. He just told me now after our toddler ate several portions. How bad is that? Anything I should do? Thanks.
Thanks everyone. My son seemed fine all evening, sleeping now. My stomach felt upset for a couple hours so my husband called poison control. Not even sure if that was the right source but they said it might cause minor discomfort. I believe it said "sell by date" if that makes any difference. Trying not to be "that mom". Thanks again.
Time to clean out the cabinets and toss anything that old. I cleaned out the medicine box a couple weeks ago and threw out a rx from 1999
Not bad at all. Tomatoes are very acidic. This prevents the growth of food damaging organism. If the bottle was sealed and the juice was free of visible foreign organisms, it's safe to use it. What you call expired is actually a "best if used by date." I've eaten "expired" canned foods all my life. The texture, flavor and nutritional content may be less desirable but it's still safe to eat it. One shouldn't eat canned food if the can is bulging or a seam is compromised. The reason the can has bulged or seam opened is the unhealthy organisms put out gas as they work on the food.
All the concern about food born illness is related to foods that have been exposed to air and/or kept warm for too long. There is no air in a properly processed can.
As long as your child and husband are not sick then I wouldn't worry about it. As long as it was sealed in an air tight container (never opened) then I am sure it was fine. There was a time when dates were not on any product, you had to use your senses (or common sense) to see or smell if it had gone bad.
Old is not the same as spoiled.
An unopened bottle can last a long time.
It might not be as nutritious as fresh, and the taste might not be as good, but it's probably fine.
Additional:
It might be a good time to clean out your fridge/pantry/shelves so you don't have any more old food around for Hubby to find/use.
Was the date a 'best if used by' date or an actual expiration date? If it was a 'best if used by date' the juice was NOT expired or spoiled. As long as the bottle or can was still sealed and the top was not 'popped' it was just fine.
M.
Was the can damaged in any way?
Was it sealed properly?
No bulges, no dents?
The sell by date is typically for freshness to be guaranteed.
Canned foods typically don't expire.
Why would he use tomato JUICE for soup??
Any way - no. I wouldn't stress over it unless vomiting and diarrhea started - then I would pay closer attention. Otherwise? Go through your pantry and get rid of items that are expired so you will feel more comfortable.
Good luck!
Not much you can do now except wait and see. If vomiting and/or diahrrea start you might want to go to the doctor.
It should be okay. If possible, don't rinse the bottle, put the cover on tightly, and keep it in the fridge for the next several days. If your toddler becomes sick, bring the bottle to the doctor along with your child.
It probably won't cause real food poisoning, but the acidity and natural sugars in the tomatoes may have increased over those years, which might cause discomfort or a stomach ache. Just keep an eye on your child and stay calm.
What does your doctor say? Is your toddler even sick or is this just your anxiety/worry kicking in?
How sick is your child? Your husband? You? If you're not sick there's nothing wrong.
If you're puking and having diarrhea then you need to go to the ER and let them know you ate old canned foods.
