The 19 Foods You CAN Eat Past Their Expiry Date: A Comprehensive Guide
When it comes to food safety, the idea of consuming items beyond their expiry date often sparks concerns. Expiry dates, best-before dates, and sell-by dates are all meant to provide consumers with guidance on when a food item is likely to be at its freshest and safest. However, many people are unaware that some foods remain safe to eat long after these dates, provided they’ve been stored properly. In this comprehensive guide, we explore the 19 foods you can confidently eat past their expiry date, debunking common myths, and explaining why these items can still be consumed without a worry.
1. Canned Goods
Canned goods, such as beans, vegetables, soups, and meats, are designed to last for extended periods due to their sealed packaging. While most canned foods come with a “best before” date, they typically remain safe to eat for years if stored in a cool, dry place. The food inside might lose its texture or flavor over time, but the product remains safe to consume if the can is not dented or bulging.
2. Pasta
Dry pasta can last much longer than the date on the package suggests. Typically, the “best before” date refers to flavor quality rather than safety. As long as the pasta is stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, it can last indefinitely. Even years after the expiry date, pasta will still be safe to eat, although it may have lost some of its original taste.
3. Rice
Like pasta, uncooked rice—whether white, brown, or jasmine—can last far beyond its expiry date if stored in a dry, cool location. White rice can last indefinitely, while brown rice, which contains more oils, may lose its quality faster, but it can still be safe for a year or two past its date. Ensure that rice is free from moisture and pests to maintain its longevity.
4. Honey
Honey is known for its incredibly long shelf life. Archaeologists have even found pots of honey in ancient tombs that are still perfectly edible! Due to its low moisture content and acidic pH, honey naturally resists bacteria and mold growth. Even if honey crystallizes or changes in texture over time, it remains safe to eat.
5. Hard Cheese
Hard cheeses like cheddar, Parmesan, and gouda can be safely eaten past their expiry date. While they might dry out or lose flavor, they are less prone to bacterial growth due to their low moisture content. If the cheese has not been properly stored and shows signs of mold or spoilage, it’s best to discard it. But as long as the cheese is solid and mold-free, it’s safe to eat.
6. Frozen Meat
Frozen meat, including beef, chicken, and pork, can remain safe indefinitely when stored at 0°F (-18°C) or lower. While it might lose flavor, texture, and nutritional value over time, frozen meat doesn’t spoil past its expiry date. Always check for signs of freezer burn or discoloration, but the food is generally safe to cook and eat.
7. Canned Fish
Canned fish, such as tuna, salmon, and sardines, can last a long time past their expiry dates when stored in a cool, dry place. Like other canned goods, the sealed can prevents exposure to air, which helps preserve the fish’s safety. However, ensure there are no signs of rust, bulging, or leakage from the can, which could indicate contamination.
8. Pickles
Pickled foods, such as cucumbers, onions, and olives, are preserved in vinegar or brine, which acts as a natural preservative. The high acidity of these foods helps prevent bacterial growth. As long as the jar remains sealed and properly stored, pickles can last long past their expiry date without spoiling. Just check for any signs of mold or off smells before consuming.
9. Vinegar
Vinegar, particularly white and apple cider vinegar, is a pantry staple that can last indefinitely. Thanks to its high acidity, vinegar does not spoil. The quality and flavor may diminish over time, but it remains safe to use for culinary purposes long after the expiry date.
10. Salt
Salt, including sea salt and kosher salt, has an indefinite shelf life. Since salt is a natural preservative and doesn’t support the growth of bacteria, it remains safe to eat and use for seasoning no matter how long it’s been stored.
11. Sugar
Both white sugar and brown sugar can last indefinitely, as long as they are stored properly in airtight containers. Brown sugar may harden over time, but it can be softened by placing it in a microwave with a damp paper towel. Even after many years past the expiry date, sugar remains safe to consume.
12. Oats
Oats are another food that retains its edibility well beyond the expiry date. Stored in a cool, dry place, oats can last for years. While the texture and flavor may slightly degrade over time, they are generally safe to eat, even if the “best before” date has passed.
13. Soy Sauce
Soy sauce, with its high salt content and fermentation process, is another condiment that has an indefinite shelf life. Even after the expiry date, soy sauce can remain safe for consumption. Its flavor may become more intense over time, but it will still be perfectly usable for cooking.
14. Coffee
Coffee beans, both ground and whole, lose their freshness over time, but they do not become unsafe to consume. If stored in a cool, dry place in an airtight container, coffee can remain drinkable long past its expiry date. The primary issue is flavor degradation rather than safety, so even expired coffee can still be used in baking or brewing.
15. Cereal
Dry breakfast cereals are typically safe to eat long past their expiry date. As long as the cereal has been stored in a sealed package or airtight container, it may lose flavor and crunch but will not become dangerous to consume. Check for signs of moisture or pests before eating.
16. Flour
Flour can last longer than the date printed on the package if stored in a cool, dry place. White flour can last for several months, while whole wheat flour, due to its higher oil content, may only last up to 6 months after its best-before date. While it may not spoil, older flour may have a stale taste, but it is still safe to use for baking.
17. Tomato Sauce and Ketchup
Both tomato sauce and ketchup can last well past their expiry date if stored in a cool pantry or the refrigerator. While the taste may not be as fresh after the best-before date, they are still safe to eat. Just be sure to check for signs of mold or unusual odors before consuming.
18. Wheat Germ
Wheat germ is highly nutritious but contains oils that can go rancid over time. While it has a limited shelf life, it can still be eaten past the expiry date if it has been stored in a refrigerator or freezer. Rancid wheat germ may have an unpleasant smell, but it’s still safe to consume if properly stored.
19. Bottled Water
While bottled water doesn’t have an expiration date, it often comes with a best-before label. The water itself does not spoil, but over time, plastic bottles may leach chemicals into the water, especially if stored in high temperatures. However, as long as the bottle is properly stored and undamaged, bottled water is safe to drink even after the best-before date has passed.
Conclusion:
While it’s important to always check food labels and use your senses (sight, smell, taste) when determining whether food is still safe to eat, many foods can last well beyond their expiry dates. Items like canned goods, pasta, rice, honey, and soy sauce are just a few examples of foods that remain safe for consumption past their expiry dates, provided they are stored properly. By being aware of how food ages and by taking proper care in storing your pantry staples, you can reduce food waste and make more sustainable choices.
Always remember that when it comes to food safety, if a product shows signs of spoilage, such as mold, off smells, or unusual texture, it’s best to err on the side of caution and dispose of it. However, many foods have an impressive ability to withstand time and still provide nutrition and flavor long after their expiry date has passed.
