Some expired food products are easy to identify, due to an unpleasant smell, mould, swollen packaging or abnormal colour for example. But others show no visible changes in texture, colour, or smell. In such cases, you might well ask yourself if the item is still safe to consume.

To begin with, it's important to note that some products don’t expire, as long as they’re stored in the right conditions, as indicated on the packaging. For example, pasta, tinned goods, rice, sugar, flour, coffee, dry cakes, honey or vinegar. These tend to have an indicative "best before" date on the packaging, usually noted in the month-year format. But even if you go past that date, the product won’t be unfit for consumption. However, it may have lost some of its sensory qualities like taste, texture, or appearance.

So, which expired foods should definitely not be eaten? Does an opened product still have the same "use by" date? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

First broadcast: 30/09/2023

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