Expired food? Maybe not! Here’s a list of foods you can eat even after the expiration date!
Here’s a handy guide: find out what you can still consume, for how long, and how to decide whether you can trust them… or not.
Dry Goods: Champions of Endurance
Dry, well-packaged foods often have a shelf life much longer than indicated on the package.
Dried pasta: can be stored for up to 2 years after the best before date if kept away from moisture.
White rice: up to 2 years. Brown rice, on the other hand, is best eaten within a year.
Dried legumes such as lentils and chickpeas can be stored for at least 2 years.
Flour (especially wholemeal) can be consumed within 6 months of the best before date if it has not become damp or developed a strange odor.
Biscuits, crackers, breakfast cereals: can be stored for up to 4 to 6 months after the best-before date. They may simply lose their crunch.
Sugar and salt: they never go bad if they are dry and well sealed.
Vacuum-sealed teas, herbal teas and coffee: they retain their fragrance for 1 year after the best-before date, but their aroma may fade.
Chocolate: Can be stored for up to 1 year after the best-before date. The white film that sometimes appears is just cocoa butter rising to the surface; it is not harmful.
Canned goods: a record shelf life
Stored correctly and in their original packaging, these products can be stored for months, even years.
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Canned tuna and legumes, as well as tomato puree and peeled tomatoes, can be stored for 1 to 2 years, or even 5 years for tuna.
Unopened vegetables in oil or vinegar: can be stored for up to 2 years.
Unopened jams and preserves: keep for at least 1 year after the use-by date.
Unopened baby food: consume within 2 to 3 months of the best before date.
UHT milk (unopened): can still be consumed up to 1 month after the best before date.
Always check that the packaging is not swollen, damaged or rusted.
Foods high in fats and oils: Pay attention to the smell and taste.
These ingredients deteriorate more from rancidity than from microbial contamination.
Dried fruits: can be stored for up to 12 months, but may become bitter.
Olive oil: can be stored for up to 6 months after the best before date, provided it is kept in a dark, tightly closed place.
Butter: kept in the refrigerator, it can be kept for 1 month after the use-by date.
Refrigerator: Be careful after the use-by date.
Fresh produce is more fragile: check its appearance, smell and consistency for added safety.
Yogurt: kept in the refrigerator, it can be consumed up to 7 days after the use-by date.
Fresh milk: keeps for 2 to 3 days if stored correctly.
Eggs: These will keep for 2 to 3 weeks after the best before date. Test them in water; if they float, discard them.
Mature cheeses such as Grana Padano or Pecorino: they can be kept for up to 2 months in the refrigerator once opened.
Mozzarella, ricotta and fresh cheeses: consume within 1 to 2 days of the use-by date.
And then there are the “timeless.”
Honey: it never goes bad. It can crystallize; simply heat it in a bain-marie.
Dried spices and herbs: They lose their aroma, but remain clean for years.
When to throw away food without hesitation?
Best before date on food
Some products should never be consumed after their use-by date:
Fresh meat and fish
Refrigerated prepared meals
Salads or sushi in bags
Desserts with cream or raw eggs
Foods with swollen, punctured, or moldy packaging
Knowing these differences can help you save money, avoid waste, and cook smarter. If a product is past its ‘use by’ date but smells good, looks good, and the packaging is intact, it’s probably still safe to eat. Trust your nose, your eyesight, and your common sense.
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