Not all food has to be thrown away by the date on the package, but for these 15 high-risk foods, once the expiration date has passed, even if it doesn't smell bad, never put it in your mouth again. These foods can easily breed pathogenic bacteria that are invisible to the naked eye, such as Listeria or Escherichia coli. The cost of eating a bad stomach is much more expensive than buying fresh ones. When shopping in the supermarket or cleaning out the refrigerator, if you see that the items mentioned below have expired, don't hesitate to throw them into the trash can is the safest way to do it.
High-risk regulars in supermarket freezers
When shopping in American supermarkets, cooked food and semi-finished products in the freezer area are the easiest to take lightly. First of all is Deli Meats. Once sliced ham or turkey meat is out of date, even if you don't think it's sticky yet, Listeria may have exceeded the standard. This kind of bacteria can still grow in a refrigerated environment, which is quite troublesome. There is also the supermarket mixed Potato Salad or Egg Salad, which contains a lot of mayonnaise and fat. Once the Use By date passes, the bacteria grow at an alarming rate.
In addition, several large pits in the fresh food area should also be avoided:
- Raw Sprouts:This kind of thing grows in a humid and warm environment. It is a hotbed of bacteria. Don't eat it when it expires.
- Soft Cheeses:Cheeses with high water content like Brie or Ricotta, once they grow moldy spots or expire, the mold roots will quickly spread into the entire cheese. Unlike hard cheese, you can eat it after cutting off one layer.
- Leafy Greens (bagged salad):Those pre-washed spinach and lettuce, if the bag has begun to water or the leaves are wilting, will be suspended even if they have not expired, and you can simply give up after the expiration date.
- Ground Beef:Compared with the whole steak, the ground meat has a huge surface area and the probability of being contaminated is several times higher. If the color of the ground meat turns gray after it expires, don't put it in the pot again.
How to accurately check menus and prices on this site
When ordering food outside or going to the supermarket to buy pre-made dishes from specific brands, many friends are worried about stepping on thunder. In fact, it's quite simple. You can directly search for the corresponding brand name on this site and you can enter the special brand page. We will list the latest menus and prices for these chains. Normally, you can see the price points corresponding to different Size and the specific content of various Combo packages. If you find that certain items of a certain brand often have bad reviews, or the price changes greatly, you can usually find clues in the comment area or menu details of this site.
It is also a good habit to pay attention to the ingredient list when checking the menu. Especially for meals containing raw eggs and sashimi, checking their raw ingredients on this website can help you avoid some potential allergens. This site's pages usually mark which seasonal products are, so that you can know when ordering food and not be stunned by outdated promotional posters in the store. As for the specific taxes and tips, there are considerable differences in different states. Remember to include these hidden costs when checking prices.
Understanding the "word game" of American food labeling
Go to Kroger or Whole Foods and you'll find a variety of dates on the packaging. To be honest, these labels are not uniform regulatory requirements. The common Best if Used By is the best taste advice given by manufacturers. It may just be undelicious after one day, but it may not be toxic. But if it's Use By or Expiration Date, it's an ultimatum, especially for infant formula or meat. When ordering or shopping, if you find that the shelf life is approaching, even if there is a big discount, you have to consider whether you can finish it in two days.
When ordering takeout, if the restaurant didn't write down a specific production date, you can check through this site's brand menu page to see if they have a promise of "making it now on the same day." Some fast food restaurants have strict management of freshness. For example, the price difference between frozen meat and cold fresh meat is reflected in the menu. Generally speaking, brands with high prices will have relatively better ingredient turnover rates and freshness control. Also pay attention when Toppings. The optional freshly cut fruits or cheese sauces are actually the most likely categories to expire.
Practical judgments when cleaning the refrigerator and ordering food
If you forget when you bought the things in the refrigerator at home, the easiest way is to smell and look at them. But as mentioned at the beginning, these 15 foods (including raw oysters, scallops and other seafood, and unpasteurized raw juice) cannot be judged by the senses. Even if some bacteria cook food, the toxins they produce can still send you to the emergency room. We generally recommend thoroughly cleaning the freezer every two weeks to dispose of bottled sauces that are about to expire (especially Pesto or Mayo that contains egg milk). When you check the menus of these brands on this website, you will find that many brands have begun to provide single-package sauces, which is actually much more cost-effective than buying a large bottle and leaving them in the refrigerator to expire.
Before going to the supermarket next time to buy these high-risk foods, open our website's brand page or menu page to check the latest prices and see if there are more cost-effective and streamlined packaging options. After all, buying less and eating fresh food is the cheapest and healthiest way.
