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.
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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!
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