Beyond the 'use by' date: Food items you can safely consume past expiry
How we react to the expiry date can vary. Some food items need immediate disposal, others have a grace period of a few days, while some remain safe to eat long after their expiry date. There aren't many such products, but it's useful to be aware of them. As long as they don't exhibit signs of mould, consuming these "late" foods won't harm our health.
3 Feb 2024 | updated: 7 March 2024 09:26
If the 'use by' date has passed, you don't necessarily need to discard these items
Bread
We're not referring to pre-packaged bread that goes stale 2 days after opening. This advice concerns genuine sourdough bread which remains edible even past its 'use by' date. The only downside is that it'll dry out, but as long as it's mould-free, it's safe to consume.
Canned corn
The label may offer advice to 'best consume before ...', but that doesn't mean it needs to be disposed of after this date. It can be opened and eaten even months later; it certainly won't spoil in that timeframe. Two conditions must be met: the can should be stored in a dry, cool environment and the packaging should not be damaged or inflated.
Parmesan
This hard and long-fermented rennet cheese, ideal for pizza or spaghetti, remains safe to eat even two weeks past its expiry date. This presupposes it is stored in a refrigerated glass container and shows no signs of mould.
Honey
A 'best by' date also applies to honey, but if you have a natural product rather than a store-bought blend, it won't spoil quickly. Moreover, it will always retain its optimal nutritional qualities. It should be kept in a sealed jar, preferably at a lower room temperature of 10-15 degrees Celsius, and stored in a dry environment.
You can also consume these products past their expiry date
These additional items are worth noting:
- Pasta - it remains safe to eat several months after the 'use by' date, as long as it's stored in a sealed package in a dry, dark place.
- Rice - the rules for rice are similar to those for pasta, with experts suggesting that it can last up to 20 years.
- Clarified butter - as long as it's stored in the fridge, this can be used several months after its expiry date. It's important to sniff it before use; a rancid smell is a sign it needs to be discarded.
- Canned tuna - appropriate storage, preferably refrigerated in the original, undamaged packaging, is key.
- Oat flakes - with proper storage, these can be safe to eat even 8 years after their expiry date.
- Chocolate - this should keep for another 3 months past the expiry date, and a whitish coating is merely fat.
