Foods You Should Never Eat Past Their Expiration Date—According to Experts

Some expired foods are just stale—but others can make you seriously sick. From deli meats to soft cheeses, here’s what experts say you should never eat past its expiration date.

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By Ilaria Canevara

Sure, you’ve probably eaten cereal two weeks past its best-by date and lived to tell the tale. And yes, “sell by,” “use by,” and “best before” labels can be confusing. But not all foods play fast and loose with time. According to food safety experts, there are certain items you should never, ever gamble on after they expire. These aren't just taste issues—they're potential health risks. Your stomach isn’t a lab. Don’t test it.

1. Deli Meat

That turkey sandwich might look fine, but pre-sliced deli meats are notorious for harboring listeria—a bacteria that thrives in the fridge and doesn’t need much time to cause trouble. If it’s slimy, smells off, or just seems questionable post-expiration, toss it. And don’t assume a little mayo will mask the problem.

2. Soft Cheeses

Soft cheeses like brie, camembert, or blue-veined varieties have a higher moisture content, which makes them more susceptible to bacterial growth once past their prime. Mold, off smells, or strange textures aren’t just signs of age—they’re signs to steer clear. Unlike hard cheese, you can’t just slice off the funky part and keep going.

10 Foods You Must Never Eat Past the Expiration Date

3. Fresh Berries

That clamshell of strawberries might have one or two moldy cousins hiding underneath—and once one berry goes bad, the rest follow fast. Expired berries may not visibly rot all at once, but they can carry mold spores that upset your stomach (or worse). Expiration isn’t a formality with these; it’s a red flag.

4. Bagged Salad

Bagged greens don’t age gracefully. Once they’re past their expiration date, they can develop E. coli or salmonella—pathogens that have caused widespread recalls in the past. If your spinach is more soup than leaf, it’s beyond saving. The worst part? Sometimes you can’t smell the danger.

5. Raw Meat and Poultry

If you’re sniffing raw chicken or ground beef to decide if it’s still “okay,” you’re already playing with fire. Meat past its expiration date can harbor bacteria like salmonella and E. coli, both of which don’t care if you cook it “well done.” When it comes to meat, if the date’s gone—it should be too.

6. Seafood

Seafood is one of the fastest-perishing items in your fridge. And even if it smells “fine,” bacteria and toxins may already be present, especially in shellfish. Experts agree: when seafood passes its expiration date, it’s not just spoiled—it can be downright dangerous.