Don't throw away these 15 foods beyond the expiration date

in food •  2 years ago 

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Some foods can still be eaten even after the expiration date.

With most of us going to the supermarket every week and spending a lot of money to prepare all the food our family needs for the week, the last thing we want to do is throw expired food in the trash or compost it. The good news is that some foods can still be eaten even after their expiration date.

According to the Department of Agriculture, the dates on many foods refer to quality, not safety, but ultimately it's up to the individual's best judgment. If food looks, smells, or tastes weird, it's best to throw it away immediately rather than risk eating something that's gone bad. Which foods can be stored for a long time without spoiling easily? The following 15 kinds provide a reference.

  1. Bread: Bread usually goes bad after the expiration date, but is still safe to eat. If you want to extend the shelf life of bread, you can store it in the refrigerator or freezer, and throw it away as soon as you find mold.

  2. Canned foods: Most shelf-stable foods in your kitchen cupboard or pantry are safe indefinitely. As the Department of Agriculture explains, canned food can last for years as long as it’s in good condition, which means it’s not dented, rusted, or puffed up on the outside.

  3. Chocolate: Chocolate lovers are in luck because chocolate is safe to eat for about two years if unopened. Dark, milk and white chocolate are safe to eat within one year of purchase after opening.

  4. Eggs: According to the Department of Agriculture, once eggs are bought at home and put in the refrigerator, they can be stored for 3-5 weeks. During this storage period, eggs are safe to eat and use for cooking.

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Eggs are good for 3-5 weeks when you buy them home and put them in the refrigerator.

  1. Frozen food: According to the Department of Agriculture, food's toxic bacteria won't grow in the refrigerator freezer, so it's safe to eat no matter how long it's been frozen. However, food can spoil if left in the freezer for too long, meaning it may dry out and not taste as good as freshly frozen. If you find that a package of food, such as ground beef, has been in the refrigerator for a while, it's still safe to get creative and use it in dishes like chili, stews, or tacos to keep the ingredients and Seasoning makes up for the loss of umami.

  2. Hard and semi-soft cheeses: Hard and semi-soft cheeses such as cheddar, Colby, Parmesan, and Swiss can be stored in the refrigerator for six months in unopened condition, and usually about 30 minutes after opening. a month. According to the Mayo Clinic, mold usually doesn't penetrate hard and semi-soft cheeses, but if you find mold, just cut off the mold with a knife and enjoy the rest.

  3. Honey: Do you have a sweet tooth? You'll be glad the honey never expires, but it's best to use it within two years to ensure the best quality.

  4. Jams and jellies: If peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are your thing, congratulations, because jams and jellies can last up to a year in the pantry if unopened and in the refrigerator once opened Keep for six months.

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Jam can be stored in the pantry for up to a year if unopened.

  1. Ketchup: Possibly the most popular condiment in the kitchen, ketchup doesn't usually keep for more than a year. This shelf life applies to unopened tomato paste in the pantry; once opened, tomato paste stored in the refrigerator should be used within six months.

  2. Italian tomato sauce: Italian tomato sauce (Marinara) is extremely acidic, and this acidity helps protect the tomato sauce from spoilage bacteria, which ultimately extends the shelf life of the sauce, even days after expiration. Months even open after weeks. As a safe rule of thumb, unopened tomato sauce can be used within one year of the expiry date.

  3. Milk: While there are no definitive recommendations, most studies have proven that unopened milk will usually stay good for 5-7 days after the expiry date, while opened milk will last at least Drink within 2-3 days after the date.

  4. Bagged foods: Popular bagged foods such as cereal, crackers, crisps, cereal, pasta, potato chips, and rice are safe to eat after the "best before" date, according to the Department of Agriculture. Of course, they will eventually spoil or develop an off-flavor, and when they don't taste as good as fresh, you will know if they are no longer edible when you open the package and taste a little.

  5. Peanut Butter: Peanut butter is often tucked away in the pantry, and for good reason, as it lasts almost forever. Due to the addition of preservatives and stabilizers, if unopened, generally commercially available peanut butter can be stored in the storage room for 6-24 months. Once opened, it can be stored for 2-3 months. If it is stored in the refrigerator, the shelf life can be extended. But if you emphasize the use of peanut butter without additives, preservatives, and stabilizers, it can be stored in the storage room for several months in unopened condition, and once opened, it can be stored for up to a month.

  6. Sugar: Basically, sugar never expires. However, a Utah State University report pointed out that to ensure the best quality, even if you buy a large bag, you should use it up within two years.

  7. Yogurt: Generally speaking, yogurt can be stored for up to 1-2 weeks after expiration. However, the date marked on the outer box of yogurt may not be the expiration date, but the "best taste date". Therefore, if the yogurt you bought at home has expired, you can smell it or taste it to confirm whether it has deteriorated.

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Yogurt can be kept for up to 1-2 weeks after the expiration date.

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