7 Foods You Shouldn’t Eat Past their Expiration Date

In trying to reduce food waste, many experts advise taking advantage of some products that, despite reaching their expiry date, are still fine to eat.

However, this doesn’t apply to all food groups. In fact, some food can be harmful when consumed after its expiration date. 

The problem is that these foods decompose more easily. Because of this, they tend to become contaminated with various types of bacteria and toxins that affect our health.

That’s why it’s very important to start looking at food labels before using certain products. It’s also necessary to know which types of food shouldn’t be consumed when they have already passed their expiry date.

In this article, we want to share in detail the 7 main types of food you should’t eat after they’ve expired so you can be cautious the next time you prepare them.

Discover them below!

1. Soft cheeses

Unlike hard cheeses, which can be preserved for a long time even when they’re out of date, the composition of soft cheeses makes them unsafe when they reach their use-by date.

This variety of cheese is quite prone to the growth of harmful bacteria like Listeria Monocytogenes, which can lead todigestive problems and unwanted reactions in the immune system.

See also: This Natural Homemade Antibiotic Can Keep Infections Away

2. Minced meat

You must keep in mind strict hygiene and safety standards when it comes to eating meat. However, it’s very important to take into account that minced varieties are much more susceptible to contamination by harmful bacteria such as E. Coli.

This is because they provide a more suitable environment for the growth of these microorganisms and, therefore, facilitate their development.

Once your meat is past its expiration date, there’s a high probability of it being infected by:

• E. Coli,
• Salmonella,
• Listeria monocytogenes,
• Staphylococcus aureus.

These bacteria release dangerous toxins in the intestinal tract. As the days go, this affects how it functions in the digestion process.

3. Fresh berries

One reason why it’s recommended to freeze berries before they ripen is because a bacterium called Cyclospora grows on their surface when they begin to decompose. When infected by this type of bacteria, you experience very uncomfortable symptoms including nausea, bloating, and cramping.

4. Sausages and lunch meats

Lunch meats contain chemicals that make them look fresh despite their age.

However, when they expire, their structure begins to decompose. This makes the probability of contamination by bacteria such as Listeria and E. coli high.

As a general rule, we recommend consuming these foods within the first week after opening the product.

5. Raw eggs

Millions of cases of food poisoning and infections due to the misuse of raw or expired eggs have been dealt with for many decades.

Eggs are delicious and necessary in all diets. However,  it’s fundamental to handle them well and cook them safely, always before their expiration date.

It’s also important to be careful with foods that use this ingredient such as:

• Mayonnaise
• Flans
• Desserts
• Sauces

Among the main problems caused by consuming out of date eggs is intestinal infections caused by Salmonella.

6. Shrimp

Shrimp changes in composition after its use-by date. However, as the days go by, it also tends to become a focal point for the growth of harmful bacteria and germs.

You should consume this nutrient-rich food as soon as possible after purchasing it.

In addition, you must prepare it on hygienic surfaces, away from other foods that may cause cross-contamination.

7. Chicken

Chicken is one of the lean meats that’s most recommended to provide amino acids and complex carbohydrates to the body.

However, when it’s raw, you must handle it very carefully on hygienic surfaces free of bacteria.

Thawing it incorrectly or eating it after its expiration date can lead to serious intestinal infections caused by E. coli or Salmonella.

Now that you know which foods should be discarded when they pass their expiration date, try to purchase only the amount you need and eat them before they expire.

Similarly, try to handle and store them in optimum conditions to prevent them from being contaminated with harmful pathogens.