The expiration date is often indicative data, so before throwing away “good food,” think twice! Find out which foods you can consume without risk even after the expiry date: visit the gallery!
Not everything is to be thrown away
How often have you thrown a product in the trash when you realized the expiration date had already passed? Of course, it's normal for us to fear being poisoned by eating expired food because that's what we've always been told, but that doesn't mean that all products can't be consumed even after the recommended date.
Source: © unsplash / Morgane PerraudCanned food
Chickpeas, tuna, green beans, corn, and other canned products can be eaten up to 1 year after expiration if stored in a dry place.
The cans must be in perfect condition; they must not have oxidation spots or swelling, which means air and possibly bacteria have entered and spoiled the food.
Source: © unsplash / aren Laårk BoshoffInstant soup
Instant soups can be kept for a few months after expiration. After that, you will have no problem consuming them; boil them properly during preparation.
Source: © unsplash / Louis HanselSausage
If prepared correctly, they will keep for up to 10 days after expiration. However, even taking this into account, if the sausages smell too strong, don't hesitate to discard them to avoid any poisoning.
Source: © unsplash / Bruno KelzerFrozen vegetables
Frozen foods can be eaten a few months after the expiry date indicated on the label. If you are freezing products you have just cooked, indicate with a marker a date that does not exceed two months from freezing.
Source: © unsplash / Allen RadLong-life milk
This type of milk can be stored in good condition for up to one month after its expiration date. We always talk about milk in a closed container. Once the container is opened, the milk can be kept in the refrigerator for 2-4 days, depending on the type of milk (pasteurized, sterilized, UHT).
Source: © unsplash / mirza mustofaFresh pasta
Fresh pasta, such as ravioli or tagliatelle, is packaged in a modified atmosphere (MAP), therefore, perfectly preserved. Consequently, we can consume it up to 15 days after expiration.
Source: © unsplash / Macarena MoragaCoffee
The coffee can be consumed up to a year after expiration if the container is hermetically sealed.
Once opened, it's better not to exceed the expiry date indicated.
Source: © unsplash / Tamas PapFlours
Flour typically can be consumed up to 6 months after its expiration date. For optimal conservation, use airtight containers.
Source: © unsplash / Ben McLeodSpices
Spices, especially curry and paprika can be eaten up to 6 months after expiration if purchased sterilized and pasteurized to kill mites. These microscopic animals live in dry food and are not visible to the naked eye; the only sign of their presence is the appearance of spots on the food. In this case, dispose of food immediately.
Source: © unsplash / Paolo BendandiYogurt
Plain or flavored yogurts can be consumed up to a week after expiration if adequately refrigerated. Once opened, ensure the product does not show mold spots or other signs of bad condition.
An expired yogurt in good storage conditions will have fewer ferments and be suitable for consumption without any problem.
Source: © unsplash / Cats ComingEggs
Fresh whole eggs will keep in the refrigerator for up to 21 days. Around this date, eggs can be eaten cooked, while for their use raw, for example, for recipes such as mayonnaise or tiramisu, it is preferable to opt for fresh eggs.
To check if an egg is in good condition for consumption, there is an infallible test that consists in immersing the egg in a glass of water: if it remains on the bottom, the egg is fresh; if instead, it floats, it is not suitable for consumption.
Source: © unsplash / Morgane PerraudChocolate cookies
Biscuits can be eaten without problems even after expiration if stored in their hermetically sealed container or package.
To keep a pack of biscuits as long as possible without softening them, place them in a metal tin on a sheet of kitchen paper to absorb the moisture from the biscuits.
Source: © unsplash / Ben SteinRice and pasta
Rice and pasta will keep for up to a year after expiration. Therefore, it is essential to keep them in their container or hermetically sealed in glass containers.
Source: © unsplash / Rens DChocolate
If you eat chocolate often, you won't have any problems keeping it, but if you buy a bar occasionally, keep in mind that it can be kept for up to 2 years. Then, of course, the flavor will be less intense, but you can use it to prepare your favorite desserts.
Source: © unsplash / Louis HanselCheese
The preservation time of the cheese is usually more or less long, depending on the product's characteristics.
Hard cheese can be kept for about ten months. The soft paste one about ten days.
Before consuming the cheese, ensure it does not have a yellowish appearance. As for fresh cheeses such as mozzarella or ricotta, if they have just expired, you can use them cooked in any of your preparations, for example, on a pizza or in some stuffed sandwiches.
Source: © unsplash / Azzedine Rouichi