Petroleum Jelly (aka Vaseline) shelf life

[tornitore45]

I bought a jar, too big for my need, for $2.99 in the fist aid isle. The same jar was $3.99 in the facial cleansing area, I guess beauty has its cost.
Anyway I notice the expiration date 11/2011. Gee, I wish I get to use it up before it revert to an amalgam of dead creatures goo.
I wonder what is the shell life of crude oil... in millions of years.

[10KPete]

I have a small jar of it that's been in the shop since the late '60s. It's darkened slightly but is still good. I don't think the highly refined grease will deteriorate much in a hundred years sealed in the jar.

Very handy stuff !

Pete

[STRR]

That expiration date is only for eating it. If you're using it to make things slippery, the expiration year is multiplied by 100. Since that one is out of date, take it to the manager and ask for a disposal discount of $2. After all, they shouldn't be selling expired Vaseline, somebody could die from it. {;-)

[SteveHGraham]

If you're worried about it, don't eat it.

[tornitore45]

Sorry, I made typo turning a tongue in cheek comment into a serious health consideration,

The marked expiration was 2021 not 2011. I do not know whether to blame my fingers or my brain.

[NP317]

[snip]I do not know whether to blame my fingers or my brain.

This is what happens when you eat that stuff!
~RN

[mcostello]

Greasy fingers!

[liveaboard]

After a while, it develops an odor; sort of like petroleum grease.
When it's fresh, it has no detectable smell. Even though it is, of course, petroleum grease.

[John Hasler]

Strictly speaking, petroleum jelly is a mixture of long chain hydrocarbons, not a grease because it contains no soap.