Sonia
Did you notice that the majority of the foods in your kitchen pantry and refrigerator have an expiration date? The expiry date is the end date beyond which using a particular good is no longer suitable for consumption. Here are 20 foods you should dispose of beyond the expiry date.
Milk
Milk is extremely vulnerable and will begin to spoil soon outside its expiration date. No matter whether it is fresh milk or the Tetra pack one, it has a limited shelf life.. Consuming milk outside its expiry date will cause digestive issues and food poisoning due to microbes like E. coli and Salmonella.
Yogurt
Yogurt, like milk, is another dairy product that spoils very quickly. No matter whether you get it from the superstore or prepare it at home, expired yogurt beyond is not meant for use. It may develop an unpleasant taste and odor due to excessive bacteria growth. Consuming expired yogurt can cause stomach aches and foodborne infections.
Cheese
Though some cheeses can last longer, most cheeses have a limited shelf life. Cheese, once they pass their expiration date, are likely to develop mold, discoloration, or an unpleasant odor. Consuming outdated cheese can cause food poisoning and other health issues. Both hard and semi-firm cheese spoils easily.
Eggs
Eggs should be consumed before their expiration date to avoid the risk of contamination. Eggs usually spoil with bacteria such as Salmonella. Expired eggs will have an unpleasant odor or taste. Some eggs may even start changing color once they are rotten. Consuming expired eggs can cause food poisoning.
Deli Meats
Deli meats, including ham, turkey, and salami, are at risk for bacterial infection. All of these foods are meant to be consumed before the expiration date. Beyond that, they will develop a slimy texture, a foul smell, and even change color. Avoid consuming them to lessen the risk of poisoning.
Fresh Meat
Like Deli meat, fresh meat also needs to be thrown away before the expiration date. Fresh meat options like beef, pork, and chicken are meant to be consumed fresh to limit the risk of bacterial contamination and deterioration. Beyond the expiration date, it will develop an unpleasant odor or may start discoloration.
Fish
Like milk, fresh fish is very fragile and will decay quickly, even when properly kept in the refrigerator. Fish beyond its expiry date will start oozing a strong smell, signaling it to be discarded right. Avoid consuming expired fish as it could end up in food poisoning and other health issues.
Sprouts
Sprouts are usually okay in the refrigerator; however, it does not mean that you can use them beyond the expiry date. Due to the sprouting process, these grains are prone to bacterial development. Therefore, consuming sprouts that have expired or become infected can cause illnesses like diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.
Baby Formula
Yes, the powdered baby formula that you stock for every month has a limited shelf life. Always check the expiry date of the product and discard it soon after to ensure infant safety and nutritional quality. Even avoid using formula milk beyond 2 hours of preparation/water mixing.
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise contains eggs and therefore using it beyond the expiry date is not advised. Due to the presence of eggs, it carries a slight risk of salmonella infection. Even eggless mayonnaise readily oxidizes in the presence of air. Therefore, it is advisable to discard it beyond the expiration date or if it is kept open for a long time.
Salad Dressings
Salad dressings often include dairy, egg products, or acidic compounds. When left outside the refrigerator or kept open for a long time, it can spoil easily. Salad dressings are not meant to be used after their expiration date. Check your bottle of dressings for its color and texture. If the liquid has started separating, discard it right away.
Canned Goods
Canned foods that expand or leak could mean bacterial contamination and must be destroyed promptly. Canned items usually have bacteria, microorganisms, and preservatives that limit their shelf life. Once they lose quality, flavor, and nutritional value, it is time to discard. Although canning is a food preservation method, its expiration date must be taken seriously.
Bread
Bread is one of the easiest foods that can go bad within no time. In fact, breads have a very limited expiration date. They quickly develop mold, especially in warm and humid environments, thus becoming inedible. Expired bread can turn stale, dry, or moldy, and become difficult to digest.
Jams and Jellies
Jams and jellies contain high amounts of sugar and, therefore, have a longer shelf life. However, regardless of that, they can become inedible if contaminated or past their expiration date. Similarly, jams that are more organic and have less sugar content go bad even more early. They may develop mold or yeast growth, indicating spoilage.
Fresh Fruit
Fresh fruits, although they are not meant to come with an expiry date, but with the supermarket culture, it is not difficult to find some with expiry dates. Being fresh and organic, fruits spoil quickly, especially if they are not properly stored. Once they reach peak maturity, fruits become more susceptible to spoilage.
Fresh Vegetables
Just like fruits, fresh veggies spoil rapidly. Especially if you store vegetables in moist or humid environments, they will either dry out or rot. Vegetables that have expired or are spoiled will develop mold, thus turning them inedible. Consuming spoiled vegetables will cause health risks. Besides that, the taste will be awful.
Tofu
Tofu is perishable. To maintain safety and ensure quality consumption, it is important to use tofu before its expiration date. Once expired it may change texture, and develop a sour taste and an unpleasant odor. Avoid consuming expired tofu as it can cause digestive difficulties. Even if you cannot find the expiry date, check for any spoilage indication.
Condiments
Condiments like tomato ketchup, mustard, soy sauce, and more are not meant to be used beyond the expiry date. Discard them right away if they get contaminated or are outside of their expiration date. Expired condiments typically separate water from other mixtures and may even change color/ texture.
Soups
Soups, whether homemade, restaurant-brought, or packaged, can easily go bad. Always check your store-bought soup packets (ready to eat) for their expiry date and discard them once they cross the same. For homemade soups, try consuming them fresh or not more than a few days (if refrigerated).
Nut Butters
Nut butters have taken the food industry by storm, but remember, they can go bad as well. Butter, such as peanut butter and almond butter, have an expiration date, and using them beyond the same is not advisable. Store your nut butter in a cool and dry place and always check them for any indication of spoilage.
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