Can you eat expired cheese?
Quick Answer
It depends on the type of cheese.
Hard cheeses like cheddar or gouda have a long shelf life and can still be eaten after their expiration date if they’ve been stored properly and show no signs of spoilage. However, soft cheeses like brie or ricotta should not be consumed past their expiration date.
What Is It?
Expired cheese refers to cheese that has passed its ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date indicated on its packaging.
How to Tell
Signs of spoiled cheese may include mold growth (other than those used in certain cheese production), off smell, slimy texture, or discoloration.
Why It Can Be Risky
Eating expired cheese, especially if it’s spoiled, can pose health risks.
- Food poisoning: Consuming spoiled cheese can lead to foodborne illnesses, such as listeria, salmonella, or E. coli.
- Allergic reactions: Some molds that grow on spoiled cheese can cause allergic reactions or respiratory problems.
Safe Method?
If a hard cheese has small spots of mold, it’s generally safe to cut off the moldy part (along with a bit of the non-moldy cheese) and eat the rest. However, if a soft cheese shows signs of spoilage, it should be discarded entirely.
Can You Just Cut It Off?
When cutting off mold from hard cheese, it’s recommended to remove at least 1 inch around and below the mold spot.
Storage Tips
Store cheese in the refrigerator at temperatures between 35 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit.’, ‘Wrap cheese in wax paper or cheese paper to allow it to breathe, while protecting it from drying out.’, ‘Avoid storing cheese with strong-smelling foods as cheese can absorb other odors.