Very out of date butter - use or chuck?

[Lookslikerain]

Found a block of unopened, unsalted butter at the back of the fridge. It's dated 26th December 2012 .

Can I use it? Is it safe? It looks and smells ok. I want to make cookies so it'll be cooked.

What do you think? Thanks.

[Xroads]

I would chuck I think

[spottyparrot]

Chuck, not really worth the risk is it?

[Ragwort]

I'd use it but I have a cast iron stomach and am very mean .

[frogwatcher1]

If its a best before I would use it. If its a use by I wouldn't.

[PacificDogwood]

I'd use it provided it smelt/tasted ok.

Butter used to be kept in cold water/whey for whole winters.
Rancid butter is really obvious as it smells vile.

[frogwatcher1]

Just checked my butter and it is best before. My understanding is that food is safe ages and ages past the best before date - it just deteriorates but doesn't get dangerous.

If it goes 'off' it has a use by on. Don't use anything past a use by unless you are confident on checking it yourself (I use fish and meat past use-by as am happy to go by smell, feel etc).

[BloooCowWonders]

Get it to room temperature then taste it. You'll know if its off.

But I'd use it without a second thought! :)

[Startail]

The whole point of butter is as a way of preserving milk, it definitely fits in the let a bit come to room temp, sniff and taste camp.

[Lookslikerain]

I'm usually pretty relaxed about dates on food but 3 months is getting close to my limit! It is a best before rather than use by, so I'll give it a bit longer on the side, taste, then make my cookies if ok. Thanks for your replies!

[Lookslikerain]

Right. Softened a bit, gave it a sniff, and it smelled a bit... cheesy. And I'm pretty sure butter doesn't normally smell like that. I didn't even taste it. Straight in the bin. Today's lesson: 3 months is too far past 'best' for butter. No cookies here today.

[GlaikitHasHerFizzBack]

Best before means its safe forevermore but I will be at its best until the date show. It should have been ok I think.