Beef Broth in a Carton How Long Past Expiration Can You Use

• #1

I have one that says it expires in either Jan 2016, or Jan 2018, I can't tell due to the font. I think it's 2018. Would that make sense? Would not figure something like that would last that long. It's a Campbell's low sodium one if that matters.

I could go back to the store but just thought I'd check here, if 2022 makes sense, then I'm going to go with that.

Jul 20, 2001

64,264

18,273

136

• #2

Beef broth is used as a culture medium for bacteria on petri dishes. Choose wisely.

Aug 11, 2005

24,552

29,480

136

Aug 10, 2005

6,688

219

116

• #4

The carton or the contents?

Apr 19, 2001

25,297

1,995

126

• #5

It's probably safe either way. If you buy one now it would have an expiration date maybe middle of 2018. And if the sell by date really was 2022 it would probably still be good more than a year beyond that. It's a sell-by date, not a use by date. On canned goods it's more for freshness than for safety. They build a lot of leeway into the date because they want the stock rotated so that it tastes best, not because people will drop dead using it. Just make sure the package is sealed and not bulging. If it's gone bad, it's usually pretty easy to tell.

• #6

Hmm so it would really have an expiration that far out? It probably is indeed 2022 that it says on it then. I just found that seems to be way too long for what is basically a meat product stored at room temp. (at the grocery store anyway). The 8 kinda looks like a 6 but more I look at it, I think it is an 8, it's just that one of the dots from the printing process seems slightly off, so it just kind of caught me off guard at first.

Going to go ahead and use it and report back later.

Sep 30, 2005

87,940

10,833

126

• #7

You are in Timmins. Bacteria and virus avoid it like the plague.

Jul 20, 2001

64,264

18,273

136

Jul 12, 2006

107,605

23,531

146

• #9

store-bought beef broth is almost certainly not actual beef. It's usually a soy-based derivative loaded with salts and beef-like flavorings, with maybe a tiny amount of beef extract. Beef is probably the most adulterated "broth" that you can purchase...which is why you should stick to veggie or chicken if you are going to go store-bought. Chicken is pretty weak and thin, too (no collagen, so it's not real broth. mostly just flavoring)

all that being said, it should be a relatively sterile environment inside that insulated carton at RT if it hasn't been opened. The sodium concentration in those containers makes for a salinity not unlike the Dead Sea. That "expiration" date most likely reflects the earliest date that the flavor profile starts to break down.

Jun 22, 2004

4,344

707

121

• #10

I made and ate cookies last night from a mix that expired in 2022 using butter that expired in 2013.

I think you'll be fine.

Feb 25, 2011

16,579

1,339

126

• #11

It's fine. Even low-sodium broth is probably too salty for bacteria to grow, and you're going to boil the hell out of it anyway. Open it up, and if it doesn't smell "off" then go for it.

• #12

Yeah ended up using it. Did not get around to eating the end product yet but will soon. It seemed fine so not too worried at this point.

• #13

it's sterilized salt water why wouldn't it be able to keep for years?

The date has a huge margin in it and the problem is likely the carton not the broth, if you put it in a sealed titanium vessel or something it probably keeps forever.
I mean, people drink fossil water that is millenia old.

• Advertising
• Cookies Policies
• Privacy
• Term & Conditions
• About us

• This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
  By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.

fitzgeraldthoster1952.blogspot.com

Source: https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/how-long-does-unopened-beef-broth-carton-last.2501762/

Share this post