Can you eat expired cheerios

When you're hungry or low on cash, a trip to your storage room may yield a box of expired cereal.

Like many canned goods, certain cereals have long shelf lives but it's not always clear how long is OK. So, is that box still safe to eat? In , Malt-O-Meal voluntarily recalled its puffed wheat and puffed rice cereals after detecting a strain of salmonella responsible for making at least 23 people in 14 states sick. Salmonella is usually associated with wet foods like eggs, chicken and undercooked meat. But, according to experts, the salmonella bacteria also thrives in dry, heavily processed foods. However, it's important to note that this kind of contamination typically happens during processing. For example, the bacteria can be spread from an employee not washing his or her hands before going back to the assembly line.

Can you eat expired cheerios

Is it okay to eat expired cereal? Or maybe your cereal is still within date but smells kind of weird. Cereals last for months past the dates on their labels, but not all are created equal. The more ingredients prone to quality loss, such as whole wheat flour or nuts, the shorter the cereal will retain quality. Plain cereals keep quality the longest. It all depends on the ingredients. As you probably know, fats go rancid after being exposed to air, heat, and light for an extended period. And both whole wheat flour and nuts contain fat. Because of that, cereals that include those might start to smell rancid or paint-like at some point. Other ingredients, such as some dried fruit or flavorings, might simply not keep quality for more than a year or two.

These higher-fat cereals typically include varieties that contain nuts, oils, or whole grains. If you have a problem with pantry bugs, definitely go with airtight containers.

In a pinch, you may want to reach for the long-forgotten, unopened box of cereal at the back of your pantry. But how old is too old when it comes to the beloved breakfast staple? According to the U. Department of Agriculture USDA , "most shelf-stable foods are safe indefinitely" — long past the date on the package. However, that doesn't mean the cereal will still taste as great as the day you bought it.

When you're hungry or low on cash, a trip to your storage room may yield a box of expired cereal. Before you crack open the box and dig in, ensure that you're willing to eat old cereal. While safety-wise it should be fine, it may not have the best taste or texture and also could have lost some nutritional value. Carefully rotating your food storage can help prevent your cereal from going past its expiration date before you have a chance to dig in. While eating expired cereal isn't necessarily dangerous, the quality of your food, such as the taste, texture and nutritional content, can be compromised. The purpose of expiration dates is to alert consumers when a food should be consumed by.

Can you eat expired cheerios

How long do cheerios last in the fridge? Cheerios were first manufactured in as Cheerioats in the united states and have since become active in all other parts of the world. This is made from whole-grown oats without artificial flavors or color and you can also refer to them as healthy snacks or round cereals.

Valdez glacier campground photos

After the expiration date, the manufacturing company makes no claims about the nutrition values, taste, texture and quality of a product. Certain nutritionally fortified cereals can lose some of their nutritional value after long months of sitting on the shelf. In a pinch, you may want to reach for the long-forgotten, unopened box of cereal at the back of your pantry. Department of Agriculture USDA , "most shelf-stable foods are safe indefinitely" — long past the date on the package. Follow today. Food Safety and Expired Cereal. Most sources agree: An unopened box of cereal will last far longer than its best-by date. Palmer said these products include whole grain cereals since the natural fats of the grains are included. As the University of Arkansas System points out, foods can also be infested by bugs before purchase. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. In other words, store it in a sealed container in a dry, closed pantry. Salmonella is usually associated with wet foods like eggs, chicken and undercooked meat. Bowl of Cheerios. For ultimate freshness and quality, FoodSafety. This confusion prompts consumers to throw away items earlier than necessary and leads to significant food waste.

This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

According to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank , cereal is safe to consume for 12 months past its package date — as long as the inner bag is intact and sealed. According to Time , the best-by date is used by manufacturers to gauge a product's freshness. Nuts and oils, which are even heavier in fat, can also make a cereal spoil faster. Like many canned goods, certain cereals have long shelf lives but it's not always clear how long is OK. Date on cereal label. Bowl of Cheerios. If you leave cereal on the shelf and it begins to deteriorate, you could experience a deterioration in the quality of the cereal as well as the taste. Follow today. Store cereal in a cool and dry place, tightly sealed. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. If you leave a box of cereal on the shelf for a long period of time before trying to eat it, you may be greeted by a host of pests. Cereals last for months past the dates on their labels, but not all are created equal. Nutrition Breads and Breakfasts Cold Breakfasts. However, that doesn't mean the cereal will still taste as great as the day you bought it.