10 Foods You Should Never Eat After They Expire, Experts Say

We've all engaged in the refrigerator stare-down.

The date says Tuesday. It's Thursday. And, suddenly, dinner requires a small risk assessment.

The good news is that a date passing doesn't automatically make food unsafe. 

Many labels tell us more about peak quality than the precise moment something needs to hit the trash.

That's where the expiration date vs. the best by date distinction becomes important.

Perishable foods are trickier, though. 

How long they've been refrigerated, whether they've been opened, and what kind of food we're dealing with matters more.

So, is expired food safe to eat? 

Sometimes. 

These 10 foods, however, deserve a little less optimism.

1. Infant Formula

We'll start with the big exception.

Unlike most packaged foods, infant formula has a "use by" date that really does need to be followed.

The FDA requires manufacturers to make sure the formula still contains the nutrients listed on the label through that date.

Afterwards, those guarantees no longer apply.

2. Deli Meat

An unopened package and the turkey you opened last Tuesday aren't operating on the same timeline.

Once opened, luncheon meat only has three to five days in the refrigerator. 

Even properly chilled deli meat shouldn't be treated as indefinitely safe just because it still looks respectable.

If you're not going to finish the package within its recommended storage period, freezing it is a better plan than repeatedly renegotiating with it.

3. Raw Ground Meat

Ground beef has an impressively short résumé.

Generally, raw ground meat should be used within one to two days when refrigerated at 40°F or below.

That applies to ground poultry, too.

If dinner plans change, it’s best to move it to the freezer, rather than waiting several days for inspiration to return.

4. Opened Hot Dogs

Hot dogs may look more durable than raw chicken, but an open package still has a clock running.

The USDA makes a distinction between unopened and opened processed meats. 

Once you've broken the seal, don't assume the original package date gives you unlimited time.

Pay attention to when you opened them and follow the recommended refrigerated storage period.

Sadly, the forgotten hot dog package behind the mustard doesn't get grandfathered in.

5. Refrigerated Smoked Seafood

Smoked salmon has been preserved, but "smoked" doesn't mean "shelf-stable."

Refrigerated smoked seafood still requires careful cold storage. 

When discussing Listeria precautions, the FDA specifically identifies products such as:

• Refrigerated salmon

• Trout

• Whitefish

• Cod

• Tuna

• Mackerel

That's particularly important for pregnant women, older adults, and anyone with a weakened immune system.

Canned or shelf-stable smoked seafood is a different category, so be sure to know what kind you're buying before deciding how long it can last in the kitchen.

6. Cooked Leftovers

Leftovers don't come with expiration dates, which is how Wednesday's dinner sometimes survives until the following Monday.

But, the calendar still counts.

Cooked leftovers should generally be eaten within three to four days when properly refrigerated.

They also need to get cold quickly. 

Perishable foods shouldn't spend hours hanging around at room temperature before making their way to the fridge.

Dating the container when you put it away also eliminates the need to play Sunday-night detective.

7. Prepared Meat and Seafood Salads

Chicken salad, tuna salad, egg salad, and seafood salad combine several perishable ingredients in one convenient container.

But that convenience doesn't extend their refrigerator life.

Prepared salads should be properly chilled and eaten within their recommended storage window. 

And, if you're at higher risk of foodborne illness, try to be extra careful with salads prepared at the deli.

If you can't remember when the tub came home, that's useful information in itself.

8. Fresh Refrigerated Pasta

The dried spaghetti in the cupboard can afford to be patient.

But, fresh refrigerated pasta has more moisture and needs more careful storage.

This is one case where the package instructions need our attention. 

Keep it refrigerated as directed, follow the manufacturer's date and storage guidance, and discard it if you notice mold, an unusual smell, or any other obvious spoilage.

Fresh and dry pasta may share a name, but they shouldn't share our expectations for longevity.

9. Pre-Cut Melon

The watermelon on the counter and the watermelon cubes in the fridge live in two different worlds.

Once melon is cut, the flesh is exposed, and refrigeration becomes important. 

The FDA says cut melon must be kept at 41°F or below.

The same basic principle applies at home: keep your cut melon cold and don't leave it hanging around indefinitely.

If you like to buy your fruit already sliced, it should also be refrigerated right after you purchase it.

10. Refrigerated Ready-to-Eat Meals

That prepared lasagna or chicken dinner may look neatly sealed, but it isn't the same thing as a shelf-stable canned meal.

Refrigerated meals contain perishable ingredients and need to stay cold.

The FDA’s safe food handling instructions tell us to keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below and quickly chill perishable foods.

It’s best to follow the package directions and date information once the meal’s been opened.

So, can you eat food after a use-by date? Depending on the food, perhaps. 

But, if you've forgotten when that half-eaten entrée entered your life, lunch has other possibilities.

Dates Aren't the Whole Story

A food safety expert discussing expired food isn't going to tell us to throw something away simply because its best-by date passed yesterday.

Storage conditions matter, but so does the type of food.

A box of crackers that's slightly past its best-by date poses a very different question from raw ground turkey that's been sitting in the fridge for five days.

That's also why smell and appearance shouldn't be our only tests. Harmful bacteria don't always produce obvious signs that something’s gone wrong.

Know When to Let It Go

The foods you should never eat after the expiration date tend to have something in common: they're perishable enough that stretching the recommended window isn't worth the risk.

That doesn't mean we need to purge the pantry every time a best-by date passes.

Instead, check what the label means, know when the food was opened, keep perishables properly refrigerated, and follow the recommended storage times.

Sometimes, yesterday's date is just a date. Other times, it's best to find something else for dinner.

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