Can i use sealed precooked ham 4 weeks after its sell by date?

Answer 1

Year after year consumers waste millions of dollars in food rations by discarding items that are past their sell by/use by date. Those are not dates of expiration but merely the manufactures recommend date for maximum enjoyment (flavor, quality, and freshness).

It's very hard to accurately calculate the time something will spoil because the conditions that help to make food spoil faster are ever changing. If person A, leaves a gallon of milk out for 6 hours every day before refrigerating it, that milk will certainly be expired by the date on the jug. However, if person B only pulls that milk out for cereal in the morning and then places it back into the fridge, that milk will more than likely survive 24-72 hours after the date of expiration.

With canned goods, you need to ensure that the can suffers from no bulges (like air is expanding), dents, cracks, or other damage. If none of those appear evidence, proceed to open the can and inspect it.

As a warning, precooked canned ham is naturally slimy. So don't think the slime (gelatinized fat) is from it being out-of-date.

As you're inspecting the product check to verify you see no obvious signs of mold or severe discoloration. If none of these signs are present, feel free to take a very small bite to check flavor. If it tastes horrific, spit it out immediately, and discard. If still enjoyable in flavor, use it up! Good job on not food-wasting.