Sometimes The Expiration Date Should Not Be Ignored
To avoid food waste, many experts talk about the fact that certain products, even if they have expired, can still be consumed. But not all foods fall into this category.
It’s about those foods that break down easily. For this reason, they are prone to contamination with various bacteria and toxins that can affect health.
It is essential to carefully study the packaging of the products we buy. At the same time, we must keep in mind that many foods cannot be eaten after they have expired.
In today’s article we want to present you 7 types of foods that you should avoid after they have expired. Remember them and be careful how you consume them in the future!
7 foods that you should not eat after they expire
1. Soft cheeses
Hard cheeses can be preserved for a long time even after they have “expired”. Due to their composition, soft ones become dangerous if they have expired.
Soft cheeses are vulnerable to infestation with harmful bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause digestive problems and unwanted reactions in the immune system.
2. Minced meat
When it comes to eating meat, it is essential to keep in mind certain strict standards of hygiene and safety, especially if it is minced. Minced meat is very susceptible to contamination with harmful bacteria such as E. coli.
The disadvantage of minced meat is that it provides an environment conducive to the proliferation of harmful microorganisms, facilitating their development. As soon as it has expired, it is very possible that it will be infected with:
- E. coli
- Salmonella
- Listeria monocytogenes
- Staphylococcus aureus
These bacteria release harmful toxins into the intestinal tract and, over time, alter the digestive processes.
3. Fresh berries
One of the reasons we are advised to freeze berries before they ripen is the fact that as soon as they begin to decompose, a bacterium called Cyclospora begins to grow on their surface. Infections caused by it cause symptoms such as bloating, nausea and cramps.
4. Sausages
Sausages contain chemicals that maintain their appearance no matter how old they really are. But as soon as they expire, the structure of these products begins to decompose. Thus, they can be easily contaminated with bacteria such as Listeria and E. coli.
We advise you to consume any sausage within one week of opening the package.
5. Raw eggs
Millions of cases of food poisoning were based on the incorrect use of raw or expired eggs.
Eggs are delicious and should not be missing from any diet. But it is important to cook them correctly, to be careful how we store them and not to consume them after they expire.
Be careful when dealing with dishes that contain eggs, such as:
- Mayonnaise
- Flans
- Desserts
- Sauces
One of the possible consequences of eating expired eggs is Salmonella infections.
6. Shrimp
The composition of the shrimp changes after they expire. In addition, this food quickly becomes an environment conducive to harmful bacteria and microbes.
Eat shrimp (which are very rich in nutrients) shortly after you buy them. Cook them on clean surfaces and keep them away from food that could contaminate them.
7. The chicken
Chicken is one of the weakest types of meat, recommended due to its content of complex amino acids and carbohydrates. However, raw chicken should not come into contact with unhygienic surfaces infested with bacteria.
Improper thawing of chicken meat and its consumption after the expiration date may cause infections with E. coli or Salmonella.
Now that you know what foods to avoid if they have expired, don’t buy them in excess, so you can eat them before they expire. Also, store them in optimal places to prevent contamination with harmful pathogens.
