Food safety is paramount, and expiration dates play a crucial role in ensuring it. While certain items may remain edible beyond their “sell-by” dates, the “use-by” or expiration date is the critical point at which certain foods, such as meat and dairy, should no longer be consumed. High-risk items, like raw meat, cheese, and mushrooms, can harbor harmful bacteria like salmonella, Listeria, or E. coli after their expiration. Proper storage can preserve freshness, but not safety, beyond this date. Keeping produce like mushrooms dry or salads tightly sealed can delay spoilage, but expired items must be discarded to avoid foodborne illnesses.
The routine of shopping and restocking the pantry and fridge can be a never-ending task. It’s disheartening to discard wilted greens or discolored meat, knowing the financial investment and potential waste. However, food safety is a priority, and discarding expired items is vital for the health of yourself and those you feed.
In supermarkets, packaged foods often carry an expiration date and sometimes a “sell-by” date. The “sell-by” date helps stores replace items with fresher ones, and at home, non-perishables can often be consumed long after this date. While the taste may not be as appealing, the risk of illness is low. The expiration date, however, is a more accurate indicator of food safety, marking the final day a food can be safely eaten before it becomes hazardous or toxic.
Dr. Cynthia Odogwu, a family medicine physician from Maryland, notes that some foods are safe to consume a few days past their expiration date, such as frozen meals, dried pasta, spices, and honey. However, others pose significant risks and should be discarded on their last safe day. Here are some essential items to discard once they expire:
“Raw meats like chicken, beef, and pork should not be eaten after their expiry date,” advises Dr. Odogwu. “They can spoil and harbor harmful bacteria like salmonella and E.coli, leading to foodborne illnesses.”
Similarly, raw fish that has passed its expiration date is a food safety risk. Fish should be consumed the day of purchase, and after 48 hours, it is considered expired. Signs of a dangerous fish include a slimy texture and an unpleasant odor, more akin to cleaning chemicals than the ocean.
“Once ready-to-eat deli meats and cold cuts have expired, they must be discarded,” Dr. Odogwu explains. “This is because they can become contaminated with Listeria, which can continue to grow even when refrigerated.” Any deli meat that appears grey or green or is excessively slimy has passed its expiration.
“Pre-packaged, ready-to-eat salads should be thrown out once they expire,” Dr. Odogwu warns. “As their expiry date approaches, the number of germs increases, which can spoil the salad and make someone ill.” It’s important to check the container’s date and, if transferring the salad to a new container, to label the expiry date with a piece of tape.
“Unpasteurized cheeses, such as brie, should be discarded once expired due to the risk of contamination with bacteria like Listeria,” Dr. Odogwu clarifies. This applies to other fresh cheeses, including feta, queso fresco, and most soft cheese varieties.
Mushrooms should not be consumed if they have become slimy or discolored, as they can carry bacteria and toxins that can cause severe illness. The best way to store mushrooms is in a paper bag lined with a paper towel in the fridge, to prevent moisture absorption and premature expiration.
