'Best before' - gnocchi

[Julian]

It's only dried potato, flour and water - no egg or dairy in there.  So am I dicing with death if I open a plastic-sealed packet of gnocchi best before October 2011?

[Wowbagger]

I doubt it very much. You could always offer some to Charlotte and report back. 

[mcshroom]

'Best before' doesn't mean the food is likely to be unsafe after it, unlike 'use by'. They should be fine, just maybe not quite as nice a texture/flavour that they would be if fresh. I'd eat them without any worry

[Julian]

We're still here

Actually they were rather better for the keeping.  Is that wrong?

[Charlotte]

I ain'tn't deaded 

[Biggsy]

Do you have any moth eggs in you?  They do lay eggs, don't they?

I had a flippin moth invasion in my kitchen cupboards.  They got into packets of flour and the like.  I suppose paper bags are easier for them than plastic.

[hellymedic]

The worst that can happen to dried food past its 'best before' date is that it might taste stale (unless wee beasties eat it, which can happen before any date).
Harmless.

[CrinklyLion]

I ain'tn't deaded 

Awfully glad to hear it m'dear!

[Biggsy]

The moths just fly out of your mouth in your sleep.  Quite harmless.

[Kim]

...unless you're wearing a head torch.  (DAHIKT)

[Juan Martín]

We just had a lemon meringue pie type thing from a packet that said best before 2006. So we ate it at 7.30 and it was fine.