My friend is eating one of those Jello pudding cups. She looked at it and it doesn’t expire until December 16 of 2010. What is put in it that can make it last so long? Is it potentially harmful?
Different products use different methods. Some use preservative compounds, some use irradiation (mild radiation used to kill microorganisms in sealed containers), some use pasteurization (raising the temperature of a sealed container above a temperature that is sure to kill microorganisms), and some use old school methods (pickling, preserving, etc) with salt, sugar, and/or acid.
In the case of the pudding, the sugar content alone would inhibit microbial growth substantially. Microbes like sugar, but in high concentration they are fatal.
chemicals. one of the one’s in the ingredients that you prob can’t pronounce!! You’ll be fine. people eat that stuff everyday. Of course it’s not GOOD for you but unless you plan to eat totally organic, and ZERO processed foods, you can’t really escape it. Try to eat less packaged prepared junk food, and you’re all good.
References :
Different products use different methods. Some use preservative compounds, some use irradiation (mild radiation used to kill microorganisms in sealed containers), some use pasteurization (raising the temperature of a sealed container above a temperature that is sure to kill microorganisms), and some use old school methods (pickling, preserving, etc) with salt, sugar, and/or acid.
In the case of the pudding, the sugar content alone would inhibit microbial growth substantially. Microbes like sugar, but in high concentration they are fatal.
References :
It all depends. Some foods are perishable because of water content. that’s where bacteria develop.
There are many way to eliminate this phenomenon and it doesn’t systematically mean that they are bad for you. You can eliminate the bacteria, through irradiation, pasterising. just like homemade jam you sterilize the pot in order to preserve it. You can stop the bacteria from multiplying: inhibit the reaction with high concentrations.then bacteria’s chemical reactions cannot work properly in certain contexts.
What you should also know, is that not all expiry date that imply that they are riddles with bacteria. It would also be because some of the chemicals degrade over time. Ever tasted bad chips? what happens is that the fat molecules change and alter the taste. light, temperature, humidity and a variation of those different factors can influence the speed at which those changes take place. Sometime, the resulting products of the reactions can sometimes be harmful. That’s why medicines also have an expiry date.
The answer to your question: packaged foods like jell-o can easily be made in a way that no bacteria remain in the cup. (think about it, at home you boil the water). If you make jell-o in the same way you make jam, it would probably preserve as long. (i cannot find the reference I want though…take this as an opinion). It’s not always about chemical. the process is as if not more important. if you doubt a product, nothing stops you from typing the name of the different ingredient in Wikipedia and read for yourself.
I cannot find it but there is a reglementation that forces companies to put bet before date and every consumable products.
References :
http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2009/03/26/f-bestbefore.html
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090127/eat_pantry_090127/20090127