Expert: Carol Schlitt - 12/6/2006

Question
hello,
i ate a meal last night that said use by September 3rd
but it was frozen...
does that mean that it was ok to eat
ive gone down with something, (sickness)
and wanted to make sure that it isn't food poisoning
can you help me?

Kate

Answer
Hi Kate,

As long as the meal was frozen for the entire length of storage before consuming, it should be safe.  Dates on food are based on quality issues. The manufacturer has determined that their product has the quality they desire up to Sept. 3.  After that time they have determined that the quality begins to go down (texture, color, flavor changes, etc.) These are not harmful changes -- just that their product may not be as desirable as when first purchased.

I'm sorry to hear you are not feeling well. Food borne illness can occur as soon as 30 minutes from consumption of tainted food to up to 6 weeks!!!!  So if it is food borne illness you are suffering from, it could have been food you consumed several days or weeks ago -- not necessarily the last food you ate.

Chances are a frozen dinner that remained frozen for the entire time until you cooked it is not the source of your illness.

If you have additional questions, please let me know.

I hope you are feeling better soon.

Carol