If you are the type to ignore the expiry dates on the food we eat then this might save your life..
Some food may be little past its expiration date, but appears free of mold and rancid smells. Unfortunately, looks and smells can be deceiving. There are some foods you should never eat past the expiration date, like fresh meat, seafood, produce, eggs, and dairy.
Here are the items you should take note of:
1. Eggs.
We all know what a rotten egg smells like, but how can you tell with an un-cracked egg? Easy! See if it floats in a bowl of cold water. Fresh eggs will sink to the bottom, while rotten eggs will float on top. As an egg ages, fluid evaporates through the porous shell, while air and gasses penetrate in. As a rule of thumb, keep eggs no longer than five weeks after purchasing.
2. Deli Meat.
So, about listeria. Listeria is a bacteria that thrives in soil, water, and in some animals. It can also be found at food processing plants, where deli meat and other processed meats, like hot dogs, get cooked and packaged. Unlike other bacterias, listeria can multiply in cold environments (i.e. your fridge). It’s best to toss opened deli meat after three to five days in the fridge. If you haven’t opened it, throw it away after two-weeks.
3. Condiments in jar
Once you open the jar of condiments and starts using them, the clock starts ticking for its consumption..If your sandwich spread has been on the refrigerator for too long, check for weird smell, discoloring or water floating on top..Thata a sure sign that you should trash them asap.!
4. Soft Cheese
The shelf life of cheese depends on a number of factors, including the type of cheese, the processing method, and its exposure to heat. Hard and semi-hard cheeses like Parmesan and cheddar will last longer than semi-soft and soft cheeses such as Monterey Jack and Brie. Stored in the refrigerator, opened hard cheese varieties will last between three and six weeks, while opened soft cheese varieties will last for a week.
5. Cold-Pressured juice.
That refreshing raw, cold-pressed juice you love so much should never be consumed after the date on the bottle—often only 2 to 5 days after it’s made. Because these juices are unpasteurized, they’re far more prone to contamination by bacteria or yeast, says Jessica Levinson, RD, nutritionist at Nutritioulicious. High pressure processed (HPP) juices, on the other hand, last a bit longer, 30 to 45 days, but should still be consumed by the date.
6. Fresh Berries.
To delay the growth of mold, wash berries right before you consume them. Otherwise, fresh berries can be consumed up to three days in the refrigerator.
7. Fresh meat.
Once you buy fresh meat from the store, it is imperative that you cook or freeze it as soon you reach home. Raw ground meat, including poultry, can be refrigerated for up to two days. Roasts, steaks, and chops can be kept in the refrigerator for up to five days.