In the United States, people have a busy schedule. So, they do often miss out on the expiration dates of many foods. It leads to food poisoning and many other problems. This article brings you ten foods you should never eat past the expiration date.
Here are some of the basic food items you must not consume after expiring.
Contents
Soft Cheeses
Many people consume harder cheeses like gouda and cheddar because of their longer shelf life. Mold and bacteria do not readily permeate the hard cheeses in the refrigerator. Such cheeses last for approximately 3-4 weeks after opening the seal. The Academy of Nutrition suggests that you can use some part of the hard cheese at one time and keep the rest for later use. On the other hand, if you are consuming softer cheeses like cream cheese, ricotta, goat cheese, remember that they are more likely to be attacked and spoiled by bacteria. One must not consume these foods after the expiration date. Soft cheese is safe to eat before it expires.
Raw Meat
There is a sell-by date on the packet of fresh raw meat that lets the user know it is not safe to buy after this mentioned date. It is the last date you can buy the product, after which it becomes unfit for consumption. Fresh meat is a product you should either immediately refrigerate as you reach home or consume. Some grocery stores even give fresh raw meat discounts to sell it quickly because it does not have a longer shelf life. You also get it in airtight to containers keep the meat safe for some time. Make sure to cook the meat or freeze the meat before it passes the expiration date. Cooking raw meat that is expired can cause unwanted food illness.
Ground Meats
It would be best to freeze or eat the ground meat within two days after the purchasing date. It is because ground meats do not have a longer shelf life. Whether it is pork, beef, or turkey, you should make sure it is in airtight packaging. Food safety is an important matter to stay healthy. Ground meat is different from fresh raw meat that has bacteria on the top. Here, it is mixed in the meat and increases the chance of food poisoning.
Leafy Greens
It would be best to never eat leafy greens after the expiration date. Even after washing, some bacteria remain on them. Consume them quickly within a few days of purchase and, if possible, cook them and eat. The academy has observed many food poisoning cases and many other abdominal problems because of spoiled salad consumption.
Jarred Condiments
Many people think that sauces and spreads have a long shelf life. Just because they are in an airtight package does not imply that they will not be attacked by bacteria and are always safe to eat. For food safety, make sure that the jarred condiments have no weird smells or discoloration.
Deli Meat
It is wise not to load on the deli counter because deli meat needs to be consumed in three to five days after the date of purchase. In the United States, people hover over the deli counter for deli meat that spoils quickly. However, even airtight deli meat needs to be finished three to five days after you open the seal. Listeria bacteria attack deli meat, and just because you keep it in the fridge does not mean it’s safe to eat for long. One cannot see or smell the bacteria that cause illness. If the meat begins to smell bad, do not eat, and ensure that the refrigerator temperature is below 40 degrees.
Fish
Yes, even fish are vulnerable to bacteria. They are safe to eat only within a day or two from the date of purchase. However, to keep it safe for 2-3 months, wrap it in a moisture-proof freezer foil or paper and keep the fish in the freezer. You can also similarly store meat.
Green Juices
Green juices or cold-pressed juices are excellent for your health, but make sure to not leave these juices in the fridge for too long.. These green juices, like leafy greens, are densely rich in nutrients. But it would help if you had them soon after purchasing. A dietician certified diabetes educator says that other juices stay away from bacteria because of pasteurization, giving them a long shelf life. But these green juices are raw and can be contaminated by bacteria. So, if you want to stay fit and prevent food poisoning, you should buy what you can have in around two days.
Potato Salad
All the items available in jars like macaroni salad and potato salad are more likely to be affected by bacteria growth because they are highly exposed. If you take some scoops from the jar at one time, it becomes more prone to bacteria and can become contaminated with salmonella. At times bacteria are introduced into food (like potato salad), and the consumers need to be cautious.
Egg Substitutes
You should check the sell-by date of both full egg cartons and the boxed ones before buying. If the eggs are shelled and raw, one can refrigerate them for 3-5 weeks. However, you have only 3-5 days for food to remain safe to eat after opening any egg substitutes. Unopened egg substitutes can remain for ten days. A national spokesperson, registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests buying egg substitutes cautiously from the grocery store and consuming them within the set time frame.
Conclusion
To ensure no one accidentally eats food that is expired, keep a clean and organized fridge. When items go bad then throw them away immediately so that nothing else becomes contaminated. In doing this you also avoid the chances of someone eating the food that went bad. Many find it helpful to date containers in the fridge so that they know when the item was originally opened.
