Spit That Out Utah: 7 Expired Foods to Toss

You are looking forward to that delicious treat, you pull it out of the fridge and notice the expiration date has passed. What do you do? Close your eyes and hope for the best or toss that senile snack? Here is a short list of foods that aren't worth the gamble.

Milk
Oh, milk—so trustworthy until it’s not. If your milk smells funky, looks off-color, or has a lumpy texture, it's time to bid adieu. Experts say milk can be used up to seven days past its sell-by date if unopened. But don’t push your luck—expired milk is a bacterial playground, hosting unwanted guests like Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli.

Soft Cheeses
Soft cheeses are like the wild cards of the dairy world. They love to invite bacteria to the party, including the dreaded Listeria. If your soft cheese grows mold, it’s time to kick it out. Hard cheeses like cheddar and Parmesan, though, can stay. Just cut out the moldy parts.

Bread
When it gets fluffy with mold, don’t even think about salvaging it. Even if you don't see mold throughout your bread if one slice has it, the loaf probably does too because of breads porous texture, so cast that bread upon the figurative water.

Raw Meat
Raw meat is a ticking time bomb. Ground meat is safe for just one to two days in the fridge, while steaks and chops last three to five days. Freezing can extend their life, but if they smell or look off, trust your instincts and chuck them.

Leftovers
If it smells, looks, or feels weird, it’s a no-go. George Carlin said it best when he said something like, "leftovers give you two good feelings, you put them in the fridge you think, 'I'm saving money', a few weeks later you throw them out and think, 'I'm saving my life.'"

Seafood
Fresh fish should be cooked within one to two days of purchase. If that’s not possible, freeze it. Cooked fish lasts three to four days in the fridge, but if it’s smelly or slimy, it’s best to give it a heave ho.

Read More: Best NATIVE UTAH Food in a List

Canned Foods
Canned foods can last ages, but watch out for dents, rust, or swelling—signs of potential botulism. Inspect your cans before opening.

To avoid nasty surprises and tummy troubles, take expiration dates seriously and trust your senses. When in doubt, throw it out!