Some time ago, Greece launched an initiative to sell expired products to the poorest at lower prices. And not only Greece but other places in the world take advantage of food that is about to expire or has recently passed and sell it at a much lower price. The belief that nothing happens if you eat expired food a few days before is prevalent, but is that true? Does something happen if we eat something expired?
If you want to know if you can eat a portion of expired food, don’t hesitate and keep reading this FastlyHealarticle. We give you all the answers!
Table of Contents
What happens if you eat expired food
First of all, you have to be clear about the difference between expiration and minimum duration. If a product says “Best before …”, the label indicates the date until which the product keeps all its properties intact. However, the expiration date means the day, month, and year from which the product may pose a health hazard if consumed.
Having this clear, we can say that it is okay to consume expired products and under what conditions. We will clarify this for you below.
How much longer an expired food lasts
Everyone is aware that it is not advisable to eat expired food. However, many of us have ingested the occasional product that has passed the expiration date without realizing (or realizing), and absolutely nothing has happened to us. Some foods last better for a few days after the expiration date if they are kept fresh and refrigerated, such as yogurts or cheese. On the other hand, it is not advisable to do so with meat, fish, or milk. In the case of beef, it expires after five days of being in the fridge.
You must bear in mind that expiration also has a lot to do with preserving the product. Thus, if packaged food packaging is damaged or if the product comes out of its packaging, the date is reduced. On the other hand, if a product is kept frozen, its shelf life increases.
Dangerous expired foods
Although many may not believe it, eating according to which expired products can have serious health consequences, such as the following that we indicate below:
- Intoxication: this is one of the most serious. In these cases, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea usually appear.
- Botulism: When eating expired food, botulism can also appear, a deadly latent disease in expired cans in which the bacteria that causes it, called clostridium botulinum, can develop.
Therefore, the most dangerous expired foods to consume are:
- Eat expired meat.
- The expired fish.
- Expired packaged meat.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Can you eat expired food? We recommend that you enter our Food category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.