Many people think that if a food has an expiration date, it means that the food is no longer safe to eat. This is not always the case. Some foods are still safe to eat weeks after their expiration dates. However, if you want to be safe, it’s good to understand what foods you can eat after the expiration date and which foods you can’t. So to help with that, this article will give you a list of foods that are still good to eat after the expiration.
Contents
Eggs
One of the most common foods that people think to throw out after their expiration is eggs. Most experts recommend eating them within four to five weeks of the date they were laid. While it’s true that most store-bought eggs last only a few weeks (though they can last up to five or six), you can still enjoy fresh farm eggs safely even after long periods.
Hard Cheeses
Cheeses such as parmesan and cheddar will last about six months after their printed expiration dates. However, you must remember to keep these cheeses tightly sealed in their original packaging if you want them to last longer. If you buy too much and your cheese ends up going bad before you can eat it all, simply cut the cheese into smaller pieces and freeze them until you’re ready to use them again.
Dry Pasta
Most dry pasta has a shelf life of up to two years. So if you have some in your pantry right now, rest easy knowing it’s still perfectly safe to eat. If you want to be extra cautious, you can go the extra mile by storing dry pasta in airtight containers instead of their original packaging. This will ensure that your pasta lasts even longer than its printed expiration date.
Canned Tomatoes
While most canned foods have expiration dates of up to two years, unless you live in a particularly humid climate, in which case the expiration date will be shorter, your canned tomatoes are likely still good even after five or six years. However, if you want your tomato products to last for an even more extended period, it’s essential to store them in a cool and dry place.
Dried Fruit
Once dried, most fruits will last for about 18 months on average. However, there are some fruits that you can store for even longer than this. Dried apricots and prunes will last up to two years after their expiration date, while your raisins may still be good after three or four years. To maximize your fruit’s shelf life, make sure to store them in a cool and dry place and keep them tightly sealed.
Dried Beans
Most dried beans will last up to twelve months after their printed expiration dates. However, if you want your beans to last even longer, you must store them in airtight containers instead of their original packaging. Doing this will ensure that your beans stay for at least a year after the printed expiration date.
Rice
Like dry pasta, most types of rice will last up to two years beyond their expiration dates if stored properly. However, the same advice applies to dry pasta, and you should keep your rice in airtight containers to maximize its shelf life. Also, because the oils in rice go rancid over time, you must check for any rancidity every so often by smelling your rice. If it smells odd, it’s a good idea to throw that bag of rice out and buy a new one.
Potato Chips
Lastly, if you have an unopened bag of potato chips in your pantry right now, they are still edible. However, if they are open or torn in any way, then it’s safest to throw them away. Potato chips last for about two years past their printed expiration dates on average. Still, you can extend that by storing them properly in airtight containers like the previously mentioned foods.
Conclusion
While most food will still be edible even after its printed expiration date has passed, it’s important to remember that the quality of your food will likely start deteriorating around this point. By following the advice in this article, you’ll be able to extend the shelf life of these foods for an average of one year or more, which can allow you to save a substantial amount of money. And who doesn’t like to save some extra cash?
