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Will I get sick if I eat flour that is past its sell-by date?

I've just opened a (paper) packet of flour that is 16 months past its sell-by date. It looks and smells OK and there are no visible signs of insect or fungus attack. What hidden dangers could lurk within it, or is it safe to eat?

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Categories: Domestic Science.

Tags: health, Food, Safety.

 

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Jon-Richfield says:

No.

Stale flour in good condition (no mites or other (generally harmless, but unattractive) creepy-crawlies) no obvious fungus or other signs of contamination, might not be a good long-term staple, but as an occasional ingredient in an ordinary healthy diet is quite harmless.

Its vitamin content probably would be slightly reduced, and it might be slightly bitter or (if whole wheat especially) slightly rancid, but if it is not a mono-diet, it should do no harm at all. If it is hermetically sealed, like some exploration rations, it still could be worth eating decades later, especially in polar conditions.

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Tags: health, Food, Safety.

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posted on 2011-02-04 08:06:58 | Report abuse


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