When it comes to food and household items, expiration dates are more than just a suggestion. They exist to help you avoid potential health risks from products that may no longer be safe to use or consume. Knowing what items you should never keep past their expiration can protect you from illness or wasted money.
Not all products behave the same after their expiration date, so it’s important to understand which ones can pose dangers if kept too long. By being aware of these items, you can make smarter choices about what to toss and what may still be okay to use safely.
Deli meats
You should never eat deli meats past their expiration date. These meats can quickly grow harmful bacteria, even when refrigerated.
If your deli meat isn’t airtight or prepackaged, it usually lasts no more than five days in the fridge.
For safety, always store deli meats at or below 41°F. When in doubt, it’s better to toss them than risk getting sick.
Soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert
You should avoid keeping soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert past their expiration. These cheeses have high moisture, which makes them spoil faster.
If you notice mold that isn’t part of the cheese’s natural rind, it’s safer to throw it away. Even if it looks fine, bacteria can grow quickly after the expiration date.
Keep these cheeses refrigerated and try to use them within one to two weeks after opening. This helps keep your cheese fresh and safe to eat.
Milk
You should never keep milk past its expiration date. Drinking expired milk can cause stomach upset because harmful bacteria may have started to grow.
Plant-based milks like almond or oat last longer when unopened, but once you open them, use them within a week or so.
Using expired milk in cooking isn’t a great idea either, as it can affect the taste and texture of your food. Always check the smell and look before using milk.
Yogurt
You should be cautious about eating yogurt past its expiration date. Unopened yogurt can last a week or two beyond the printed date if stored properly in the fridge.
Greek yogurt tends to stay fresh longer than regular yogurt because of its acidity and thickness. Always check for signs like off smells, mold, or unusual texture before eating expired yogurt.
If you see any changes, it’s best to toss it and avoid the risk.
Cream
You should avoid using cream past its expiration date. It can spoil quickly and cause stomach upset or infections.
If your cream smells sour or looks lumpy, it’s best to throw it out. Even if it seems fine, using expired cream isn’t worth the risk. When in doubt, discard it. Fresh cream helps keep your dishes tasty and safe.
Eggs
You might think eggs last forever, but it’s best not to keep them too long past their expiration date. While sometimes they are still safe for cooking after the date, the quality and safety get riskier over time.
Always check your eggs by cracking them open on a plate. If the white is watery and smells off, it’s time to toss them. Keeping eggs in the fridge, away from the door, helps them stay fresher longer.
Canned tomatoes and pineapples (past 1 year)
You should be cautious with canned tomatoes and pineapples if they are more than a year past their expiration date. These high-acid foods can lose quality and may develop off flavors or textures over time.
While unopened cans might still be safe after a year, their taste and nutritional value will likely decline. Always check for dents, rust, or swelling, and avoid using cans that look damaged.
Cold cuts
You should never eat cold cuts past their expiration date. These meats spoil quickly and can harbor harmful bacteria if not stored properly.
Make sure to refrigerate cold cuts immediately after purchase. Keep them in the coldest part of your fridge, ideally below 40°F.
Use opened packages within 3 to 5 days. If you’re unsure, it’s safer to toss them rather than risk getting sick.
Fresh seafood
You should never keep fresh seafood past its expiration date. It is highly perishable and can spoil quickly.
If you don’t cook it within one or two days of buying, the risk of foodborne illness rises. Always check for off smells, sliminess, or discoloration, as these are signs it’s no longer safe to eat.
Cooked rice and pasta
You should be careful with cooked rice and pasta. Both can last about 4 to 7 days in the fridge.
If you keep them longer, there’s a risk of harmful bacteria growing. Frozen cooked pasta or rice can last months, but only if stored properly. Always check for any strange smell or texture before eating leftovers. When in doubt, it’s safer to throw it out.