"Gary" > wrote in message ...
> 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."

LOL on govt recommendations. Most of the recommendations are ridiculous in
the "real world."

Cheri