Is it safe to use Dashi powder 7 years past expiration date?

5 comments

1. There has been a lot of [reporting](https://www.nytimes.com/article/expiration-dates-coronavirus.html) [lately](https://one.npr.org/?sharedMediaId=1111850221:1111850921) that expiration dates have little connection to food safety, and more about getting people to replace products with new ones.

   I think you need to take it case by case and try the food, but (and is an assumption because I couldn’t find any info on the actual process online) an industrially dehydrated or freeze dried product like this is likely shelf stable for a very long time.

   That being said, 7 years is a long time, lol.

2. It might be safe. It might not.

   At any rate, a sealed box would, I suspect, be okay to use after, say, a year. It might not have the full flavor of a more recent box, but it likely wouldn’t cause any harm.

   *Seven* years, though… *I* wouldn’t take the chance, myself. I’d dump it.

3. As long as the packets are unopened and there’s no evidence of water coming into contact with the product, there should be no risk from microorganisms, at least. I would be worried about oxidation, although that depends on the packaging material of the packets – you will have less with metalized packets.

   But also, these are pretty inexpensive and there’s little point in an adventure here, unless you *want* one. I’d go for it.

4. It will be safe, the date means limit of tastes by making company. I estimated from ingredients in the package.

5. Fortune Favors the Bold! Excelsior!

   Just make sure emergency contact list is updated first.