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So I'd put some crab out to make crab salad or something. In the next couple days I had to rearrange the fridge and freezer. I had couple other packages in freezer now I don't know which ones are which. I live on disability and $16.00 month food stamps I'm very smart shopper. Also because of my health I have to eat certain things. If I see it on sale I'll usually get more than one. Recently my doctor told me I was anemic, which is why I had the fake crab. Since crab isn't really real crab what your opinions?
You treat it just like you would treat fresh fish so two to three days max.
I had imitation crab meat a few hours ago and noticed that the package said to use by September 1 and today is September 4. I'm worried that I can get sick. It was closed and in the fridge.
You do not say if the package had been frozen and then how long kept in refrigerator after thawing so I will assume your imitation crab was not frozen. If your food was stored in a cold refrigerator until prepared than I do not feel it would have been unsafe to eat - 3 days after "use by date".
Here is a statement from a food safety site:
"Is frozen imitation crab meat safe to eat after the expiration date on the package? Yes, if properly stored - commercially frozen imitation crab meat will typically carry a "Best By," "Best if Used By," "Best Before", or "Best When Used By" date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturer's estimate of how long the imitation crab meat will remain at peak quality."
"How to tell if frozen imitation crab meat is no longer good? If dry spots or discoloration have developed on the frozen imitation crab meat, freezer burn has begun to set in - this will not make the imitation crab meat unsafe to eat, but it will harm the texture and taste."
Here is a site that answers your question.
If the surface is still dry, or slightly shiny, it's okay. Also smell it. But if the surface is "slimy" or slick, toss it. I buy this every month and take it out of the package right away.
I would not worry about a few days. Open the package. If it smells and tastes good, go ahead and eat it.
I have had food poisoning and if you didn't get sick with in an hour or less, you will be fine.
Use by dates are for "optimium quality" and unless it smells or tastes bad, many people including me have used items up to a week after use by date and it is fine.
BTW...My food poison was from frozen yougurt from a name brand store and the second was from ice cream from another big box shoppe. Ugh!
If it did not have an obvious gooey, sticky film on it, you're fine. That's usually the tell-tale way to know you've got expired imitation crab meat.
I didn't notice the smell until after I was eating the spoiled imitation crab meat in my salad. I'd had it in freezer for 2 weeks, then opened n keep airtight in fridge for 2 weeks... I only ate a little bit feel a bit sick. Lesson learned, never keep opened past 4 days.
Imitation crab Salad
1. Freezer is fine for 2 weeks
2. Do not store opened in refrigerator for over 3 days.
3. I did keep for 2 weeks n it was stinky.
4 Had to throw out.
Do not keep opened past 3 to 4 days!
I am 8 1/2 months pregnant and I love the imitation crab meat. I purchased frozen crab meat a while back and thawed it (kept in the refrigerator). So now it's been about a week since I ate the thawed imitation crab meat from the refrigerator but I'm getting worried now that I shouldn't have eaten it. What is the shelf life of the imitation crab sticks once thawed and left in the refrigerator? Anxiously awaiting your response.
When in doubt, throw it out!
I don't know about shelf dates or times for crab meat but I do know a bit about eating bad foods and I feel very conifident in saying if you were going to have a problem you would have already had it. You can always call your dr.
I agree with Glenn'sMom. In addition, the imitation crabmeat is actually made from a VERY highly salted fish-based product--it's not shellfish at all. The salt will act as a preservative.
Call the manufacturer on the 800# on the package. The best information will come from them. Have the package wrap when you call them, if possible; if not get info from another package at the grocery store.
They will also, most likely send you a cents off coupon.
I don't know about highly-salted fish, but fresh fish should never be kept past the third day!
Thank-you all - sound advise always appreciated:)
At this point, I've felt perfectly fine so don't think I ingested any "poison"...in future I won't keep any fish type product in the fridge more than 2/3 days.
