jmcquown wrote:
>
> I never did donate items that were "about to expire" or just so I could
> get rid of something I'd hung onto for years. For example, I wouldn't
> donate that Good Seasons Salad Dressing Mix with the shaker cruet...
> likely 20 years old.

I would probably use those if I had them. As long as they remained dry
all this time, I don't see a powdered flavoring pack going bad.

In yesterday's newspaper (Sunday, June 5) there was an article talking
about the new food labeling law. It sounds like a good thing and I'm
sure that will pass. Once it passes, companies will have two years to
comply.

In the meantime, they did mention one website to help people decide
whether their food is too old or not. I've checked it out. It's
interesting to read.

Here's the addy if you care to check it out:
http://Stilltasty.com/

I also looked at the question about how long is it safe to leave
cooked meat out. We had a recent debate about the guy that left cooked
chicken thighs out for 4-5 hours. This site says no more than 2 hours.
I think that's the govt recommendation. Hey....it's the safe way to
go. It can depend on how hot your house is and blah blah. As I said, I
would toss it "just to be safe."

That might have been a waste of the chicken but then it might have bit
me. Once you leave a few things out "maybe too long" and then wonder
about it being good, you learn NOT to leave anything out too long. I
did. If I leave something out to cool a bit, I'll set a timer now so I
don't forget to put it away.

Anyway, it's an interesting read - http://Stilltasty.com/