Five expired foods you can still eat (2024)

FAQs

Five expired foods you can still eat? ›

Nonperishable items like grains and dried and canned goods can still be used well past their label dates, but with meat, dairy, and eggs, it's a different story. Although there are still no federally regulated expiration dates on those items, they obviously have shorter shelf lives.

Nonperishable items like grains and dried and canned goods can still be used well past their label dates, but with meat, dairy, and eggs, it's a different story. Although there are still no federally regulated expiration dates on those items, they obviously have shorter shelf lives.

Sell-By Date: Refers to the last day a retailer can display a product for sale; typically a food is safe to eat for 10 days after the Sell-by Date if refrigerated properly. Use-By Date: Refers to the last day a product will maintain its optimum freshness, flavor, and texture.

Pasta. Dry pasta can be kept for up to two years past the expiry date on the packet. However, fresh uncooked pasta - found usually in the refrigerated section of the supermarket - is only safe for consumption four to five days beyond the expiration date.

Most candies do have expiration dates, but like most foods, these dates serve more as guidelines for when to consume them. It's generally fine to eat candy past its expiration date, though the quality and texture does decline after a certain point.

Most cases of consuming expired food won't lead to serious health issues. Your body is often equipped to handle small amounts of bacteria or toxins in expired food without significant harm. Assess Symptoms: If you start feeling unwell after consuming expired food, pay attention to any symptoms you experience.

"Those expiration dates are on some egg cartons to make sure that retailers don't keep eggs on shelves past a certain date," Maloberti says. "However, eggs can be safely eaten two to three weeks past that date. Depending on where [you live], the expiration date may be labeled as Sell By, Use By, Exp.

Eating popcorn that is two years past its expiration date is not recommended. Popcorn, like any food, can degrade in quality over time, and its taste and texture may be compromised. While it's unlikely to be harmful if properly stored, it may not be a pleasant snacking experience.

Is 10 year old rice still good? ›

Storage Conditions

The best temperature to store grains, including rice, is 40°F or below; however, rice stored at a constant 70° F with oxygen absorbers will store well for up to 10 years. In cooler storage areas rice sealed in oxygen-free containers can be stored for up to 30 years.

Most shelf-stable foods are safe indefinitely. In fact, canned goods will last for years, as long as the can itself is in good condition (no rust, dents, or swelling). Packaged foods (cereal, pasta, cookies) will be safe past the 'best by' date, although they may eventually become stale or develop an off flavor.

FSA guidance for households on use-by dates includes: never eat food after the use-by date, even if it looks and smells ok. it is safe to eat food until midnight on the use-by date shown on a product, but not after, unless the food has been cooked or frozen.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture notes that most food is safe even after such dates unless “spoilage is evident.” Given the lack of clarity about what these dates mean, many consumers employ a “when in doubt, throw it out” strategy.

Good news: Shelf-stable canned goods are safe more or less indefinitely, lasting up to five years or more according to the USDA. It's typically safe to eat food that's past its expiration date, with a few exceptions.