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I made some strawberry jam and it did not gel so I went and checked the expiration date on the box. The expiration date was 2001. Is this jam good to eat?


The shelf life for dry pectin is one year. http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/dp_fnut/HRAP/STORAGE/cupstor.htm

 
Just because the expiration date has passed does not necessarily mean that that product is unsafe, but rather that is has lost it's quality. http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/food_product_dating/index.asp


The pectin did not gel because it has lost it's gelling ability. As long as your jam was processed correctly it should be a safe product, but the quality of your jam will be poor.

 

 

Answered by Sarah Janicek, B.S., former Extension Associate, Nutritional Sciences Extension, College of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Missouri Extension

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Last update: Friday, December 12, 2008

 


 
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