Eating really old food preps experiment
 

We moved into a new place and the folks that lived there before us had some preps. They left them behind (I don't think they are going to miss them, they are in a better place now). There wasn't too much left that hadn't been cleaned up but there were some items left in the cabinets that were very old.....

I was hungry and decided to experiment with these items. Up for todays experiment are Lipton cup o soup in chicken rice and spring vegetable. And a can of Libby's spreadables chicken salad. I figured a nice cup of soup and a chicken salad sandwich would be just the thing.

The boxes of soup appear to be from the 70's, maybe early 80's. They were price marked 63 cents. These pre-date dating, so there is no way to see when they were produced. The spring veggie was already opened, so I used an envelope of that. The instructions on how to make the soup don't say anything about microwave oven directons if that helps date this stuff. I microwaved up some water and dumped the stuff in there. It didn't look or smell bad in the envelope. Let that sit and set up while I scope out the chicken salad.

Yummy. The chicken salad is a box, with an unmarked can inside. No dates on this either. I popped it open and smells ok. Get a piece of bread and schlop some of that goodness on there. It's not very good, but edible. Kind of reminded me of potted meat (red devil) but chicken flavor? I choked down some of it.

The soup is edible, but the spices have gone bad and it's bitter. I didn't eat more than a couple bites but I am sure it wouldn't kill me if I was really hungry.

I had some more of the chicken salad, and opted to throw this junk out and have a cookie instead.

This is probably 30 year old food. Held up pretty well IMHO.

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

that looks icky !

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

You should've had your spouse, a relative, or a friend try some first. :yes:

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

Folks, we have to make huge a distinction between "best used by dates" which would apply during ordinary good-times experiences, and "survival dates" which apply when all the grocery shelves have gone empty, you've eaten all your in-date food supplies, and the choice is between starving to death and eating some old food.

In spite of anything I may have posted in the past, I am not a fan of "eating really old food preps." Rather, my philosophy is to throw out nothing that I've paid for with hard-earned money, because when the 1, 2 or 3 year famine turns into the 5 year famine, that really old stuff may be the only thing that stands between you and starvation.

I'm really pretty excited to hear that the truly old food that mouse found is still edible, even if it wasn't really tasty.

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

WTF!

If TSHTF so bad your only choice was to eat 30 year old boxed spreadable chicken salad, then you'd probably have considered yourself lucky to be starving in Ireland during the famine.

Might as well donate your living body to science while your at it. But at least do it for a profit, so you can fondle some krugs while they zap you.

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

Or die. That might be better for you? Please listen to TxBN this coming Thursday evening at 8:00 Central Time, when Michelle has Robert Atkins, known as "Grandpappy", who will be talking to us about self-sufficiency issues. He says he will be presenting info on food storage "but from a perspective that many people may not have considered".

Other things Atkins will discuss:

Where to Start When You Don't Have Much Money.
Safety Is More Important Than You Think.
Water: A Simple Solution.
Food: A Simple Solution.
Fire and Why It Is Important.
Personal Hygiene and Clothing.
Emergency Backpack or Suitcase.
Other Really Useful Items.
Where Will You Live?
Always Have a Backup Plan.
Secrecy and Other People.
Things to Avoid.

I'm really looking forward to this show on 2/11/2010. Please check it out.

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

It'll have the carbs and protien but be devoid of nutrients. Vtamin C breaks down in 3 years for example. It'll keep you alive until you can get real food.

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

You need sprouts for that.

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

I'd go with the mother-in-law.:111:

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

Mouse, you'll never have to prove your courage again!

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

Lipton Cup-a-Salt will never go bad. It would have had to been good in the first place.

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

Judging from the soup boxes, I'd say 1984. Since they have the Olympic seal on them. The 1984 Olympics was a big deal, and if Lipton was going to bother to put some kind of Olympic caca on their boxes, I'd say it was the 84 Olympics.

You're one hell of an adventrous eater! I'd go for the soup, but canned stuff 30 years old? I'd have to be REALLY hungry heh.

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

We just popped open a #10 sealed can with 02 absorber of wheat. 1996 vintage. Ground it up and made bread. Tasted fine. Wheat seems like it can last forever...

Wheat for man!

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

Find the nearest pine tree and make tea out of the pine needles. Great source of vitamin C.

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

we will want a update on your conditon tommorow and how the night went, im thinking 20yrs+ chicken salad is a scary thing.......


i would be curious what sort of room and temp these were kept in......

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

This sounds interesting Merlin, but the link doesn't work.

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

From my math, you'll need to go on at least a 21 day detox diet to get all the BPA out of your system from that 30 yr old can of chicken salad.

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

I fixed it. Must have been PUI (posting under the influence :)

TxBN

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

Howdy, I survived just fine. No problemo. Maybe I should start a show called "Bad Eats"

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

Wow Mouse, the longer it took you to check in the higher the intensity got. Nevertheless, we're all glad you're okay.

Next time, try something that's about five years old eh?

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

I've ate kraft peanut butter that was older than my Daughter was at the time when I was staying at a friend's farm elk hunting about 3 years ago. My Daughter is now 11 and my last elk hunt was 3 years ago.... Anyways 8 year old "opened" peanut butter - didn't spread very well but I never missed a beat... Didn't find a bull though:thumpdown.

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

Nice knowin ya mouse - I hope them greens in the salad are pickles....

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

I'm surprised the oils hadn't gone rancid as hell. Then, maybe they had and you were just so cold and hungry you didn't notice?

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kIWY2DV0KnE/S2...rt%20panel.jpg

:rofl:

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

HEY! I ain't that stupid! :wink:

And he decides to do this when I'm not home to take him to the ER after eating this "food". :bear_w00t:

I didn't even know he did this until I found this thread! I was wondering why he was so lathargic....

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

No.

But I won't eat 30 year old spreadable chicken salad from a cardboard box, either.

Re: Eating really old food preps experiment
 

:4_1_72:

From really old cans in museums it seems that meat loses nutrients and begins to taste bad over time, but retains some nutrients, and is non toxic as long as the seal isn't broken.

I'm more inclined toward elderly dried grains and beans which become young living things again in the presence of water. That is why they are not only cheaper for long storage, but have other big advantages.

Of course they do require water, which gives canned goods their place. And though you can eat dried seeds soaked but not cooked, most do not like them that way. So you need water plus cooking for a normal seeming meal.

mouse, I'm amazed you tried the antique chicken, but grateful for the report, since you did.