How long can you use foods after expiration dates? (2024)

Foodborne diseases make millions of people sick every year.App users: Tap here for videoAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, foodborne diseases are also responsible for 5,000 deaths.Is that food in the fridge still good?The culprit is often expired refrigerated food."You can get severely sick," said University of New Mexico assistant professor of nutrition and dietics Peter Pribis.When asked to explain when food should be tossed out, Pribis responded, "I would say, use common sense."If common sense isn't used, consumers can be exposed to bacteria that morphs into food poisoning.When shopping, these are the common expiration labels, the "sell by" date and the "use by" date.There are different rules for the cupboard, the fridge and the freezer.10 foods you should never refrigerate"Your pantry should be dry and not humid," Pribis said.That will ensure the items in there stay fresh.In general, rice, beans and canned foods stay good years after they expire."Highly acidic foods, things like pineapple some fruits are good between 12-18 months. The non-acidic like green beans those can stay good for 2-5 years," said dietitian Jenny Myer.If a can is bulging or badly damaged, throw it away.In the fridge, fish and poultry can stay one or two days before cooking.Fresh red meat or cooked poultry and meat leftovers are good up to five days.Lunch meat is good up to a week.Eggs, if purchased before the date expired should be able to be used up to five weeks after expiration.Milk should go a few days after it expires.Soft cheeses and yogurt can be used 10 days after expiration. Hard cheeses, a month after expiration.If you have some food in the fridge and you're worried it may go bad, but you don't want to throw it out? Your best bet is to put it in the freezer."You can put milk into the freezer, deli meat into the freezer and by doing so, you can extend the expiration date by months," Pribis said.According to the Food and Drug Administration, frozen foods are safe indefinitely if frozen correctly: in the original package or freezer bags, even heavy foil, so everything stays fresh.Contaminated food can make people sick within minutes.Symptoms are similar to the flu such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

Foodborne diseases make millions of people sick every year.

App users: Tap here for video

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, foodborne diseases are also responsible for 5,000 deaths.

Is that food in the fridge still good?

The culprit is often expired refrigerated food.

"You can get severely sick," said University of New Mexico assistant professor of nutrition and dietics Peter Pribis.

When asked to explain when food should be tossed out, Pribis responded, "I would say, use common sense."

If common sense isn't used, consumers can be exposed to bacteria that morphs into food poisoning.

When shopping, these are the common expiration labels, the "sell by" date and the "use by" date.

There are different rules for the cupboard, the fridge and the freezer.

10 foods you should never refrigerate

"Your pantry should be dry and not humid," Pribis said.

That will ensure the items in there stay fresh.

In general, rice, beans and canned foods stay good years after they expire.

"Highly acidic foods, things like pineapple some fruits are good between 12-18 months. The non-acidic like green beans those can stay good for 2-5 years," said dietitian Jenny Myer.

If a can is bulging or badly damaged, throw it away.

In the fridge, fish and poultry can stay one or two days before cooking.

Fresh red meat or cooked poultry and meat leftovers are good up to five days.

Lunch meat is good up to a week.

Eggs, if purchased before the date expired should be able to be used up to five weeks after expiration.

Milk should go a few days after it expires.

Soft cheeses and yogurt can be used 10 days after expiration. Hard cheeses, a month after expiration.

If you have some food in the fridge and you're worried it may go bad, but you don't want to throw it out? Your best bet is to put it in the freezer.

"You can put milk into the freezer, deli meat into the freezer and by doing so, you can extend the expiration date by months," Pribis said.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, frozen foods are safe indefinitely if frozen correctly: in the original package or freezer bags, even heavy foil, so everything stays fresh.

Contaminated food can make people sick within minutes.

Symptoms are similar to the flu such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.

How long can you use foods after expiration dates? (2024)
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