Home › Forums › Open Discussion › Uh-oh? Trader Joe's peanut vinaigrette . . . perishability
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March 18, 2014 at 3:43 am #610767
goodgracesParticipantOk, totally MY bad, no one else’s. (Let’s just get that out of the way.) Last week I sampled a truly delectable salad offering at Trader Joe’s made with grilled chicken, peanuts, greens, and TJ’s “Asian Style Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette” dressing. I threw all the ingredients (displayed right there in the sample area) into my cart and went about my other business.
Fast-forward to tonight, when I recreated said dish (to the acclaim of family members young and old, I might add). We devoured it and began cleaning up. To my dismay, I see at this point that the label on the dressing states (pretty prominently) that it is perishable and should be regfrigerated. Not ‘after opening.’ Just, like, all the time. Guess where the dressing had been living for the last 6 days since purchase? In our unrefrigerated pantry . . . with all the other unopened dressings we buy.
So, whatcha think? Are we all going to be hating life in 8–24 hours? Or was TJ’s being overcautious in labeling it as such? For those unfamiliar with this yummy dressing, here are the ingredients: http://www.fooducate.com/app#page=product&id=0D5EEF14-374A-11E0-A55F-1231380C180E (No dairy!)
Thanks folks.
March 18, 2014 at 4:08 am #805855
miwsParticipantDo you recall if the bottle of vinaigrette felt even the least bit chilled when you grabbed it from the display? If it was solidly at room temp, and assuming, (yeah I know ;-)) that TJ’s would be using due caution, and would be practicing proper food handling/storage techniques, that may allay your fears.
Mike
March 18, 2014 at 4:09 am #805856
SueParticipantI would think that if it was really spoiled, you would’ve noticed the stench when you opened the bottle, and/or it would’ve tasted really bad when eating it. The fact that it has no dairy is good. My guess is you’ll probably be okay. I admittedly did the same thing with one of those dressings, although I did throw it out without using because I’m paranoid like that. :)
March 18, 2014 at 4:18 am #805857
goodgracesParticipantHi Mike, I honestly don’t recall re: the temp of the bottle when I grabbed it. It was likely in that little box fridge thing on the sample counter and I forgot that’s where I’d taken it out of once I got home and started putting everything away . . . just on auto-pilot (sealed bottles in the pantry, etc.) So I really do think that it was probably suitably refrigerated at the store and I just spaced when I got home. Which not only does not allay my fears about the perishability but now makes me concerned re: my mental abilities, LOL.
Sue, I’m ‘paranoid like that’ too! I always err on the side of caution, but what’s one to do when the item’s already been consumed? I honestly didn’t smell anything at all weird when preparing or eating it. I always think of ‘vinaigrettes’ as fairly counter-safe, at least during the cooler months here, since I would think that the ingredients would be in that naturally-preserved (read: pickled-like?) state. So I truly am puzzled by the labeling on this product!
March 18, 2014 at 4:22 am #805858
momoftwoboysMemberGood graces! I did the same exact thing today! Made same exact salad with the dressing that’s been living on my counter all week. Eeek! If it makes you feel any better, I had it for lunch about nine hours ago and all is fine. :) Good luck!!
March 18, 2014 at 4:26 am #805859
miwsParticipantOkay, goodgraces and momoftwoboys, we expect hourly updates! ;-)
Seriously, I hope everyone will be okay. Sending positive thoughts.
Mike
March 18, 2014 at 4:43 am #805860
goodgracesParticipantOh how crazy, momoftwoboys!!!!! I am so sorry to hear you did the same thing, but at least you’ve made me feel like this might not have been the hardest mistake to make. ;-) I truly hope you continue feeling fine. Thanks for sharing!!! (AND: Isn’t that a yummy salad?!!)
And, Mike, I’ll keep you updated. ;-) Thanks for your good vibes and concerns.
March 18, 2014 at 4:48 am #805861
momoftwoboysMemberYep, it never occurred to me that the bottle should’ve been refrigerated. When I think back, yes it was in the cooler thingy but well……
If it was spoiled the salad wouldn’t have been so delish today! I think we are gonna be ok. ;) Take care!
March 18, 2014 at 4:50 am #805862
trickycooljParticipantThose dressings are in the refrigerator section next to the bagged lettuce. Just like Marie’s and Lighthouse dressing at other stores they are always refrigerated. I never considered keeping it in the pantry after getting it from the refrigerator at the store. Frankly I put all unopened condiments in the refrigerator just in case, including peanut butter because it gets rancid before I can finish a jar (I grew up on Nutella that my family sent over from Germany) so I’m not a big PB fan but it’s an American staple.
March 22, 2014 at 4:58 am #805863
SueParticipantHow did things turn out, goodgraces?
This thread got me to buy a bottle the other day. (And yes, I did refrigerate it – LOL!) It makes a fantastic dipping sauce for their vegetable gyoza.
March 22, 2014 at 6:46 am #805864
goodgracesParticipantWell hi there Sue! Thanks for prompting me to come back to update this thread — meant to do it on my own but have been just feeling great and running around. So, yes, I guess my family and I dodged a bullet (or a bottle?) this time around. Or maybe it was just cold enough in our house that there was no harm done. Either way, lesson learned — and I definitely will be buying more of that dressing! A great find.
March 22, 2014 at 2:26 pm #805865
miwsParticipantGlad to hear that you and the family are okay, goodgraces!
Now we just need to hear from momoftwoboys…
Mike
March 22, 2014 at 11:40 pm #805866
momoftwoboysMemberAwwww thanks for asking, Mike! Thankfully all turned out just fine and dandy for us too. No illness. So much for needing a refrigerator….. ;)
March 23, 2014 at 12:51 am #805867
miwsParticipantMarch 23, 2014 at 1:45 am #805868
ghar72ParticipantI have that in my frig too. Bought it when it was being sampled over lentils and greens (I think arugula). It was seriously yummy. So for any vegetarians out there, or people who like lentils, try the sauce with lentils. Realllly good!
March 23, 2014 at 4:49 am #805869
SueParticipantThanks ghar72 – never would’ve put that dressing with the lentils. Will have to try it. I’m going to try it in the broccoli slaw sometime this week.
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