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Old 02-16-2008, 01:52 PM   #1
4X4
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Default Does Salsa Go Bad?

If so, when? There is a jar in the back of my fridge that has sat there for ~4 months. I haven't opened it since christmas. I grabbed it to add to some eggs I was making, but out of habit, I shook the jar. I realized afterward that that would disguise any nasty stuff. Now I'm scared to eat this salsa, but throwing it out would be a shame because I always forget to buy the stuff because it is in the chip aisle and I never go down that aisle.
So WTF? Can I eat it? Afterall, it is vegetables. Veggies don't last longer than a week, right? Except potatoes or carrots or something. There is no best before date, but I'm not convinced. Ever since the time my ex g/f made me a sandwich with green meat that she somehow didn't notice (or did she?) I'm a fridge nazi. Poor people in africa would probably plot my death if they knew what I threw out because I'm unsure of. As a matter of fact, even if every reply to this post tells me that the salsa is ok, I'll still never eat it. I'll only keep it for friends (assuming that it is good). Or maybe not. Decisions, decisions.
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Old 02-16-2008, 01:54 PM   #2
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I personally wouldnt.. It tends to grow a fuzz depending on how much air was in the jar.. I usually get a new one if the old stuff is more than a month old..
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Old 02-16-2008, 01:54 PM   #3
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Give 'er a whirl and if shes no good shes gonna make you hurl.
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Old 02-16-2008, 01:56 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by burn_this_city View Post
I personally wouldnt.. It tends to grow a fuzz depending on how much air was in the jar.. I usually get a new one if the old stuff is more than a month old..
It is now in the garbage can.
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Old 02-16-2008, 01:58 PM   #5
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Probably your best bet.. Last thing you'd want is to find a unusual texture in with your eggies..
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Old 02-16-2008, 01:58 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by burn_this_city View Post
Probably your best bet.. Last thing you'd want is to find a unusual texture in with your eggies..
And then the awful stomach grumbling noise commences.....
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Old 02-16-2008, 02:00 PM   #7
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And then the awful stomach grumbling noise commences.....
I felt a lil queezy typing that..
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Old 02-16-2008, 02:01 PM   #8
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And then the awful stomach grumbling noise commences.....


Yes. Not only has the jar been thrown out, I'm taking the trash to the garage just to get it as far away from me as possible.
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Old 02-16-2008, 02:33 PM   #9
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This reminded me of this article I had stumbled across some time ago...

http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20020...contain-e-coli
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Old 02-16-2008, 02:59 PM   #10
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Salsa lasts forever. There's hardly ever an expiration date on the jars. With so many tomatoes and preservatives it's probably good for at least a year.

Sometimes I think expiration dates are there to make you consume more. Does Italian dressing really go bad? What could possibly turn? The oil? The vinegar?
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Old 02-16-2008, 03:10 PM   #11
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I wouldn't let an open salsa jar sit too long.

A friend of mine was eating chips and dip while we were watching a movie. The room was dark so he couldn't see the dip real well, and after having a few bites he thought the dip tasted funny. When he turned on the light, it looked like it had a layer of hair across the top. Not a salsa story....just thought I'd gross someone out.
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Old 02-16-2008, 03:14 PM   #12
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I've had months old salsa before without serious repercussions. At the most you'll just drop a few extra deuces.
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Old 02-16-2008, 03:21 PM   #13
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I've had months old salsa before without serious repercussions. At the most you'll just drop a few extra deuces.

Of course, you may not always make it to the bathroom in time...

Ketchup is another product that goes bad yet you see restaurants leave it out all day. I remember reading somewhere before that a lot of the time that people think they have a "touch of the flu", they actually have mild food poisoning from eating food that is left out at room temperature for too long - usually types of condiments.
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Old 02-16-2008, 03:24 PM   #14
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The salsa I buy has expriy dates on them that are a good year away from when I purchse them.
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Old 02-16-2008, 03:36 PM   #15
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Ketchup doesn't need to be refrigerated. But it usually tastes better.

Keep in mind that best before dates are usually "before you open the package". Once a jar of salsa is open, I should reasonable last a month. Obviously it depends on the preservative content. But even if the BBD is a year, I would chuck it after a month/after you see some mold growing.
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Old 02-16-2008, 03:58 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gottabekd View Post
Ketchup doesn't need to be refrigerated. But it usually tastes better.
I'd disagree. It keeps better than a lot of food at room temperature, but bacteria and micro-organisms will still spread faster if it's warm.


http://sneakykitchen.com/Ideas/ketchup.htm

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Should ketchup be refrigerated? Or can it be left out on the table or lunch counter? According to Donna Scott, a Food Safety Specialist with the Department of Food Science at the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Ithaca, New York:
"Ketchup should be stored in the refrigerator after opening. Kept chilled, it should be all right for up to six months. Ketchup keeps better than most foods, partly because of its acidity, but it isn't sufficiently acid to kill bacteria, mold and other microorganisms that may get into the bottle after opening. Refrigeration doesn't kill the 'bugs' either, but does slow their growth. She also recommends keeping the lid and mouth of the bottle clean."
Back on topic:

After reading about salsa expiry, it sounds like a lot people say you should use it within a week of opening...
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Old 02-16-2008, 04:13 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Barnes View Post
Salsa lasts forever. There's hardly ever an expiration date on the jars. With so many tomatoes and preservatives it's probably good for at least a year.

Sometimes I think expiration dates are there to make you consume more. Does Italian dressing really go bad? What could possibly turn? The oil? The vinegar?
NO NO NO, it does not last forever. Sure it has tomatoes, but tomatoes without either being processed and vacuum sealed spoil readily.

On products like salsa, pickles, anything canned in a jar, there is a long period of time for safe keeping........

UNTIL that jar is opened. Then you break the vacuum seal and regular room air gets in, with all the contaminants associated with same. And from that point on it has a very short shelf life. It will of course keep longer in the fridge once opened rather than at room temperature.

Pickles, olives, things along that line, once opened, will keep quite a long time, if refrigerated of course. Why? two reasons, high salt content and high vinegar content, both good natural preservatives.

On the other hand, preserves like jams, jellies will also keep a long time, even once opened, provided they are refrigerated. Why? Because they have a high sugar and pectin content. Jams and jellies will last longer than salsa once opened.

That salsa does not contain much salt, vinegar or sugar, certainly not enough to keep for a year.... so once opened, I would consume that salsa within a couple of weeks.

Suggestions:

1. Buy smaller quantities, then you have a higher chance of using it within a safe period of time. If you do insist on buying a large quantity because it is cheaper that way, take out a portion that you think you can consume in a short period of time, freeze the rest in usable portions for next use. Salsa is already pre-cooked, you will not change its texture and taste by freezing it. When it is thawed, it might have a bit of water on the top, simply stir together and then use as before.

2. Store it in a place in your fridge where it is easily seen, not in some isolated corner where it becomes hidden and forgotten and then spoils.
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Old 02-16-2008, 04:15 PM   #18
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Quote:
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The salsa I buy has expriy dates on them that are a good year away from when I purchse them.
Those expiry dates are for salsa that is stored in your closet or pantry and unopened. Once opened, that expiry date does not apply. Then treat it like a product such as milk and the like that have shelf lifes.
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Old 02-16-2008, 04:56 PM   #19
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I might as well have just pm'd you, redforever... (she's the resident knowitall when it comes to anything food or cooking related)(she has some awesome recipies)
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Old 02-16-2008, 06:01 PM   #20
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My trick for salsa (which does grow mold- I've seen it happen) is this:

One the jar is open and I'm done with it for the day, I tilt it on a 45 degree angle and put it into the freezer. That way the next time I need it I can just let it thaw in the fridge for a day, or if you are in a hurry, you can use the defrost cycle on the microwave; just enough so soften it up to allow you to scrape some out with a spoon.

And I put it in at the 45 degree angle so that when it expands it has room to do so instead of pushing through the glass jar.
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