Foods not to be consumed after the expiration date

Foods not to be consumed after the expiration date

There are foods, in most cases fresh and without preservatives, which should not be consumed after the expiry date due to the risk of incurring nasty surprises for the body. They are, for example:

1. cured meats : cold cuts, freshly sliced ​​or in an open bag and placed in the refrigerator, should be consumed within a maximum of 3-5 days. Packaged sausages bear the expiry date, while those cut at the delicatessen counter obviously do not . If you notice bad odors or changes in color, do not consume them. Cured meats, in fact, can carry a bacterium, Listeria , which causes fever and  muscle pain ;
2. soft cheeses : camember, brie , especially if they are made with pasteurized milk , must be consumed on the expiry date or, at the latest, within 5/7 days after purchase;
3. fresh meat : steaks, ground beef, fillets or roasts. Most of the meat purchased from a trusted butcher and wrapped up at the counter must be eaten fresh, within a couple of days. The risk of contamination and development of Salmonella , Escherichia Coli , and other bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. Therefore, they should be consumed or frozen before they expire.
4. fruit juices : if they are expired they can also contain bacteria
5. strawberries , raspberries , blueberries : they are foods rich in  fiber  and  antioxidants , but they must be eaten within the expiry date because they could develop cyclospora, a parasite that causes intoxication which manifests itself with diarrhea ,  vomiting ,  abdominal swelling and flu symptoms ;
6. sprouts : never consume sprouts after the expiry date because often, due to unsuitable temperatures and humidity, they are prone to contamination and the growth of bacteria, such as Salmonella. Children, the elderly and pregnant women should not consume them;
7. Leafy Greens : Even when washed several times, they have a tendency to carry bacteria such as E. Coli. Consume only if the stem and leaves are perfectly intact, considering that they are often sold without an expiry date, being fresh products.

Beware of infections from contaminated foods .

Foods that “may exceed” their expiration date

Certain foods, depending on how they are stored, can “exceed” their expiry date for safe and optimal consumption, also from a qualitative point of view. Dry foods  without water or those with a long shelf life, for example, are those that deteriorate least, and therefore those that can be eaten even a month after their expiration date. They include: biscuits, pasta, rice , cereals and canned goods. The packages must in any case be intact, not have suffered dents or holes, and have been stored in dry and cool places.

Among the foods that can be consumed even after the expiration date we find:

• For example, milk can be consumed even 4 days after opening, provided it is kept in the rear part of the refrigerator, where the temperature is generally colder;
• Eggs are good for 3-5 days after their expiration date ;
• Rice   or  pasta  are edible even for up to a year in the pantry . Once cooked and seasoned (pasta or risotto) they can be stored in an airtight container for 3 days in the refrigerator.
• Canned fruit and  legumes  , once opened, should be consumed within a maximum of 4 days if stored in the refrigerator.