Beyond the Best By: 21 Foods to Toss the Moment They Expire

Food safety is important for everyone, but many people don’t know what the dates on food labels mean. The dates on food packages can be confusing, making it hard to decide when to keep or throw away groceries.

A report in 2023 showed that about 90% of Americans don’t fully understand these dates. Not knowing what they mean can lead to throwing away good food or eating something that might be bad for you.

Expiration dates help you know when to get rid of certain foods in your fridge or pantry. Knowing when to throw away expired food is important for preventing illnesses and keeping you and your family healthy.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through 22 common foods you should toss as soon as they expire. We’ll explain why each item can become risky after its expiration date and offer some simple tips to help you stay safe in the kitchen. 

Milk

Milk is at the top of our list for a good reason. It goes bad quickly after its expiration date because of bacterial growth. Drinking expired milk can cause stomach problems and even food poisoning.

Always check the date on your milk carton and smell it before using. If it smells sour or looks chunky, it’s time to throw it away and buy a new carton.

Fresh Seafood

Fresh seafood goes bad quickly and can grow harmful bacteria and toxins if kept too long. Eating expired seafood can cause serious stomach problems and food poisoning. Always check the date on your seafood and use it quickly.

If you notice a strong fishy smell or a slimy feel, it’s gone bad. When it comes to seafood, it’s always safer to be careful.

Eggs

Eggs might look fine on the outside, but appearances can be deceiving. As eggs age, they become more likely to harbor harmful bacteria like Salmonella. Always check the “sell by” date on your egg carton. 

If you’re unsure, try the float test: place the egg in a bowl of water. If it floats, it’s time to toss it out. Fresh eggs sink to the bottom and lie flat on their sides.

Ground Meat

Ground meat needs extra care because it’s more likely to have bacteria. Grinding the meat makes more of its surface touch potential bacteria. After the expiration date, this risk gets much bigger.

If your ground meat is past its “use by” date, it’s best to throw it away, even if it looks and smells fine. Your health isn’t worth the risk of eating meat that might not be safe.

Deli Meats

Those tasty slices of ham, turkey, or roast beef come with a catch. Deli meats can become breeding grounds for bacteria like Listeria, especially after their expiration date. 

This bacteria can cause serious health problems, particularly for pregnant women, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. If your deli meats have passed their “use by” date, it’s time to toss them and get fresh ones.

Yogurt

Yogurt contains live cultures that give it its tangy flavor and potential health benefits. But these cultures don’t last forever. As yogurt ages, it can develop harmful bacteria alongside the beneficial ones. 

Expired yogurt might not make you seriously ill, but it can lead to digestive discomfort. Check the date on your yogurt container and give it a sniff before eating. If it smells off or looks discolored, it’s time for a new container.

Fresh Poultry

Raw chicken and turkey require careful handling, even when fresh. After the expiration date, the risk of contamination increases dramatically. Consuming expired poultry can lead to severe food poisoning due to bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter. 

Always check the date on your poultry packages and use or freeze them before they expire. If you’re unsure, remember: when it comes to chicken, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

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Bread

Bread can grow mold fast, especially in warm, humid places. You might want to cut off the moldy part, but it’s not safe.

Mold can spread inside the bread, even if you can’t see it. Eating moldy bread can cause allergies and stomach problems.

If you see mold on your bread, throw away the whole loaf. To keep bread fresh longer, store it in a cool, dry spot or in the freezer.

Canned Goods

Canned goods last a long time, but they don’t last forever. Even though many canned foods are safe to eat after their printed date, you should look for signs that they have gone bad.

Check your cans for swelling, rust, or leaks. These signs mean the food inside might be spoiled. Eating spoiled canned food can cause botulism, a rare but serious sickness. If you’re unsure, it’s best to throw it away.

Opened Sauces and Condiments

Many sauces and condiments contain preservatives that help them last a long time in your fridge. But once opened, they can become breeding grounds for bacteria if kept past their expiration date. 

Ketchup, mayonnaise, salad dressings, and other condiments should be used within a reasonable time after opening. If you notice any odd smells, colors, or mold growth, it’s time to say goodbye to that bottle of sauce.

Fresh Produce

Fruits and vegetables can harbor mold and bacteria once they pass their prime. While some produce doesn’t come with an explicit expiration date, it’s important to use your senses. 

Look for signs of spoilage such as mold, soft spots, or unusual odors. Leafy greens might become slimy, while fruits may develop fuzzy spots. 

Eating spoiled produce can lead to foodborne illnesses, so it’s best to compost or discard any questionable items. Remember, when it comes to fresh produce, appearances matter!

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Soft Cheeses

Soft cheeses like cream cheese, ricotta, and brie have a lot of moisture. This makes them more likely to grow bacteria after they expire.

If hard cheese gets a little mold, you can sometimes cut it off. But with soft cheeses, you should throw them away if they show any signs of going bad or are past their expiration date. If you’re unsure about cheese, it’s best to throw it out.

Frozen Foods

Frozen foods can lose quality and become unsafe to eat if kept past their expiration date. While freezing generally prevents bacterial growth, it doesn’t stop it completely. 

Over time, frozen foods can develop freezer burn, which affects taste and texture. They can also thaw and refreeze during power outages or if your freezer door is left open, leading to potential bacterial growth. 

Check your frozen foods regularly and use them before their “best by” date for optimal quality and safety.

Dry Pasta

Dry pasta has a long shelf life, but it’s not immune to spoilage. Expired pasta can become stale and may have a higher risk of mold contamination, especially if it’s been stored in a damp environment. 

While eating slightly expired dry pasta might not make you sick, it can affect the taste and texture of your meal. Check your pasta boxes for any signs of moisture damage or tiny bugs. If you spot anything suspicious, it’s best to replace it with a fresh package.

Cereal

Cereal can lose its nutritional value and become stale after its expiration date. While eating expired cereal likely won’t make you sick, it might not taste great. 

The bigger concern is moisture getting into the box, which can lead to mold growth. Always store your cereal in a cool, dry place and keep the bag tightly sealed. 

If your cereal looks or smells off, or if you notice any clumps, it’s time to buy a new box for your morning routine.

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Nut Butters

Nut butters can go rancid after their expiration date due to their high oil content. Rancid nut butter might not make you sick right away, but it can cause digestive discomfort and doesn’t taste good. 

Check your nut butter for any unusual smells, if it has a sharp, bitter, or soapy odor, it’s time to toss it. Also, look out for any mold growth or separation that doesn’t mix back together easily. 

For the best quality, store your nut butter in a cool, dark place and always use clean utensils.

Pre-packaged Salads

Pre-packaged salads are convenient, but they can go bad quickly. These salads usually have a mix of vegetables with different shelf lives.

After opening the package, the contents are exposed to air and can get contaminated. Always check the expiration date before buying and eating these salads.

If you see slimy leaves, strong smells, or discoloration, it’s best to throw away the whole package. Eating spoiled pre-packaged salads can cause foodborne illnesses.

Baby Food

Baby food requires extra caution because infants are more vulnerable to foodborne illnesses. Expired baby food can lose its nutritional value and become unsafe due to bacterial growth. 

Always check the expiration date before feeding your baby. If you notice any unusual odors, colors, or textures, throw the food away immediately. 

It’s also important to refrigerate opened jars of baby food and use them within 1-2 days. When it comes to baby food, it’s always better to be extra cautious.

Tofu

Tofu can spoil quickly if not stored properly. Once opened, tofu should be kept in the refrigerator and used within a few days. 

Expired tofu may have an off smell and taste, and consuming it can lead to foodborne illnesses. Check your tofu for any signs of spoilage, such as a sour smell, slimy texture, or discoloration. 

If you notice any of these signs, or if the tofu has passed its expiration date, it’s time to discard it and buy a fresh package.

Juice

Fruit juices, especially those without preservatives, can spoil rapidly after their expiration date. As juice ages, it can ferment, leading to the growth of harmful bacteria. 

Always check the expiration date on your juice cartons. If you notice any unusual smells, flavors, or appearance, such as fizzing or an off-color it’s best to throw the juice away. Consuming expired juice can cause stomach upset and other digestive issues.

Hummus

Hummus, a well-liked dip made from chickpeas, can go bad quickly because it has a lot of moisture. Once you open it, you should eat it within a week, even if the expiration date is later.

Always look for signs that your hummus might be spoiled before eating it. These signs include a sour smell, mold, or changes in texture or color.

If you notice any of these signs or if the hummus is past its expiration date, it’s safer to throw it away to prevent any stomach issues or food-related illnesses.

Your Food Safety Game Plan

Now that we’ve gone through our list of 24 foods to watch out for, let’s talk about how to keep your kitchen safe and your food fresh. The key to food safety is staying aware and proactive. 

Make it a habit to check your fridge and pantry regularly. When you bring home new groceries, put them behind older items so you use the older food first. This simple trick can help you avoid waste and keep your food rotation in check.

Trust your senses when it comes to food safety. If something smells off, looks weird, or tastes funky, don’t take chances, throw it out. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to what you eat. 

Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask questions or do a quick internet search if you’re unsure about a particular food item. Knowledge is power, especially in the kitchen. Stay informed, stay safe, and enjoy your meals without worry. 

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AI was used for light editing, formatting, and readability. But a human (me!) wrote and edited this.