Is expired sour cream safe to eat?
Quick Answer
No
Eating expired sour cream may expose you to harmful bacteria, such as salmonella or E. coli, which can lead to food poisoning. Always check the expiration date and look for signs of spoilage before consuming.
What Is It?
Sour cream is a dairy product obtained by fermenting regular cream with certain kinds of lactic acid bacteria. The bacterial culture, which is introduced either deliberately or naturally, sours and thickens the cream.
How to Tell
Signs of spoiled sour cream include a sharper, sour smell, a watery consistency, and a change in color, usually to a yellowish hue.
Why It Can Be Risky
Consuming expired sour cream can lead to several health risks.
- Food poisoning: This can result from harmful bacteria, such as salmonella or E. coli, which can grow in spoiled sour cream.
- Digestive issues: Eating spoiled sour cream can cause stomach upset, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Safe Method?
Always check the expiration date and look for signs of spoilage before consuming sour cream. If in doubt, it’s best to throw it out.
Can You Just Cut It Off?
If sour cream has been stored properly but is past its ‘best by’ date by a few days, it may still be safe to consume. However, if it’s more than a week past this date, it’s best to discard it.
Safe Alternatives
If you’re out of sour cream or it’s expired, you can use alternatives like Greek yogurt, buttermilk, or cottage cheese in most recipes.
Storage Tips
Keep sour cream refrigerated at all times.’, ‘Store it in its original container with a tight lid.’, ‘Avoid returning unused sour cream to the original container to prevent contamination.