*Not all expiration dates carry the same weight, but for certain foods, ignoring them can lead to serious health consequences.
As Real Simple reports, pantry staples like honey, dried pasta, and spices tend to have more flexibility, often remaining safe for a few days beyond their listed date. The same cannot be said for perishable foods that can turn dangerous quickly.
It’s worth understanding how expiration dates differ from sell-by dates. Sell-by dates are largely logistical tools for grocery stores, helping them manage product turnover on shelves. Once a product is home, most non-perishables remain safe to consume well after that date. Expiration and use-by dates, on the other hand, mark the point at which a food can no longer be considered safe for consumption.
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Raw meat is among the most urgent items to discard once it expires. “Raw meats such as chicken, beef, and pork should not be consumed after their expiry date,” says Dr. Cynthia Odogwu, MD. “They are likely to go bad and grow harmful bacteria such as salmonella and E.coli, which cause foodborne illnesses.”
Raw fish and seafood have an even narrower window of safety. Ideally, seafood should be consumed the same day it’s brought home from the market, and anything approaching the two-day mark is already a concern. An off-putting chemical odor or a slippery, slimy coating on the flesh are both indicators that the fish is no longer safe to eat.
Deli meats and cold cuts pose a refrigeration-resistant risk once they’ve passed their date. “Once ready-to-eat deli meats and cold cuts expire, it is necessary to throw them out,” Dr. Odogwu explains. “This is because they can become contaminated with Listeria, which can continue to grow even when refrigerated.” Discoloration toward grey or green tones, or a texture that feels wetter than usual, are signs the product has gone bad.
Pre-packaged salads are another item that should be discarded right at the expiration date. “Throw out pre-packaged, ready-to-eat salads once they expire,” Dr. Odogwu advises. “This is because as their expiry date gets nearer, the amount of germs in them grows. These germs can both cause the salad to spoil and make one sick.”
Unpasteurized and soft cheeses should also be treated with care once their expiration date arrives. “Unpasteurized cheeses, such as brie, should be thrown out once they expire because they can become contaminated with bacteria such as Listeria,” Dr. Odogwu warns.
Mushrooms are often underestimated as a food safety concern, but spoiled fungi can carry harmful toxins, including botulism, that lead to serious illness. Visible sliminess or heavy discoloration are signals to throw them out immediately. Keeping mushrooms in a paper bag with a paper towel tucked inside — stored in the refrigerator — is one of the most effective ways to prevent them from taking on too much moisture and spoiling ahead of schedule.
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