Sometimes it depends on the food. In fact, there are several foods that can last beyond their expiration date. While no one wants to waste a carton of eggs or a block of cheese they forgot about in the back of the fridge, eating moldy or spoiled food can lead to unpleasant consequences, including foodborne illnesses such as Listeria and Salmonella. That’s why we asked dietitians which foods you should never eat past their expiration date.
Unfortunately, the answer isn’t as simple as checking the date on the label.
“People often refer to these dates as ‘expiration dates,’ but they’re actually determined by the manufacturer and are about quality, not safety,” says Don Schaffner, Ph.D., food microbiologist and distinguished professor at Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. “The color, smell, and flavor of foods do change over time, so these dates are set by the manufacturer to say, ‘This food will be best if eaten by this date.'”
Meet the Experts
- Don Schaffner, Ph.D., food microbiologist and distinguished professor at Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
- Melissa Prest, D.C.N., R.D.N., spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Isabel Maples, M.Ed., R.D.N., spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.N., clinical dietitian with Mayo Clinic
- Londa Nwadike, Ph.D., food safety specialist for Kansas State University and the University of Missouri
- Deborah Orlick Levy, R.D., health and nutrition consultant for Carrington Farms
While food safety begins long before food reaches your shopping cart, there are still steps you can take to reduce your risk once it’s in your home, such as keeping perishables refrigerated.
Although refrigeration doesn’t kill bacteria, it does slow their growth.
“Refrigeration doesn’t kill anything. It just arrests the growth,” says Schaffner.
So how do you know when something is beyond saving?
Many factors affect how long food lasts, including how it was handled before you bought it, how it was stored at the supermarket, and whether it has been kept cold in your refrigerator. Since you have little control over most of these factors, storing food properly at home is the best way to keep it fresh for longer.
“The number one tip I share with consumers is to get a thermometer to make sure your fridge stays at 40°F (4°C) or colder,” says Schaffner.
Below are the foods dietitians say should never be eaten past their expiration date and how long you can generally expect them to last.
Shredded Cheese
Shredded cheese usually has a sell-by date. Unopened, it may last about a week beyond that date. However, once opened, mold can develop quickly, so use it within a few days. If you notice any mold, throw away the entire bag because you can’t tell how far the mold has spread, says Zeratsky.
