Old food and standards of proof
4-Aug-2006An ongoing debate in my house concerns the standard of proof that food has gone off. I have several nasty memories of food poisoning during my adolescence so my motto is “if in doubt, chuck it out.” I’m different than the rest of my family - my mother tells me they used to scape the maggots from the remains of the roast to get sandwich meat during hard times.
I guess “if in doubt, chuck it out” is close to a legal definition of probable cause as a refrigerator is ever likely to experience.
I admit my digestive tract’s conditions of entry are not very “green,” but contrast this with my wife’s family, who are willing to find all manner of excuses to save food from the gallows. I think their standard of proof is more like beyond a reasonable doubt.
While I believe that food deserves to hang if it’s found inedible in the crisper of public opinion, I’m afraid to actually hang it. After all, if my wife found a piece of hanged fruit or veg who know where it might turnip. I prefer to bury my has-bean food where it carrot be found.
All my knowledge of this topic comes from watching Law
Alastair | 5-Aug-2006All my knowledge of this topic comes from watching Law & Order: Vegetable Squad.
Here's my family's compromise: if in doubt, leave it in
Alan Green | 7-Aug-2006Here’s my family’s compromise: if in doubt, leave it in the fridge for several more weeks, until there is no doubt.