Life
6 Foods You Should Throw Away As Soon As They Expire Because Food Poisoning Is Nothing To Play With
Having a fridge full of food is the best feeling-- that is, until you discover all the groceries you bought last week have made it past their expiration date. Maybe you had the best intentions to cook at home this week, but sometimes takeout can get the best of anyone. Do you eat these expired foods anyway in an attempt to salvage your groceries, or do you toss them right away?
Expiration dates are often just a guideline for when food is at its prime, but just because it doesn’t taste as good or doesn’t contain as many health benefits doesn’t mean it will automatically make you sick.
“In general, packaged/ processed foods are safe if consumed past their expiration date, assuming they were handled and stored correctly,” says Marci Clow, RD. “Fresh foods like eggs, raw meat, fruits, and vegetables have a much shorter shelf-life and won’t last long past their expiration dates. Plus, they can pose health risks if consumed post-expiration date.”
In those instances where you’re just not sure whether to keep those week-old berries, check out this guide to which foods you should throw away ASAP.
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Soft Cheese
Cheeses like brie, feta, and cottage cheese expire much faster than their harder counterparts, and they usually last about one week refrigerated. The harder the cheese, the longer it keeps, so check soft cheese for signs of spoilage such as mold, which can still grow in cold temperatures. “Parmesan, Asiago and other dried cheeses last much longer,” says Clow.
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Bagged Salad
If you’ve ever left a bag of lettuce sitting in the refrigerator, you may have noticed how the leaves turn slimy and wilted when left for too long. If your leaves are moist or browning, toss them. Bacteria can thrive on old lettuce because of frequent handling, says Clow, and you can put yourself at risk for food poisoning if you consume a green that has been sitting for too long.
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Fresh Berries
Fresh berries generally last only a few days, and if they sit in your fridge for too long, they can contain bacteria or parasites. “Never wash [berries] before refrigeration because excess moisture will speed up deterioration and mold development,” says Clow. “But always wash before eating.”
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Deli Meat
Deli meats such as cured turkey and ham last at their maximum one week, so be sure to eat these lunch foods as soon as you buy them. “Even if it isn’t slimy, discard after expiration date because deli meat can carry bacteria that grow at cold temperatures,” says Clow.
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Raw Chicken
“Raw chicken typically should not be kept in fridge longer than one to two days after purchase,” says Clow. Old chicken will have a grayer color and sour smell. Cook or freeze within a couple days to make your poultry last longer.
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Sprouts
Sprouts are a very common source of salmonella and E. coli, so it’s best to toss them after about three days. Rinsing sprouts will not rid them of their bacteria, so feel free to ditch them as soon as their expiration date hits.
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