Eating expired foods can be risky. With dairy products like cream cheese there are concerns about foodborne illnesses. However, an unopened package of cream cheese that has passed its “Best By” date may still be safe to consume if it has been properly stored. Here is a comprehensive look at how to tell if expired cream cheese is still good and when it’s better to throw it out.
Quick Overview: Is it Safe to Eat Expired Cream Cheese?
Generally, unopened packages of cream cheese can be consumed past the “Best By” date, provided the cheese shows no signs of spoilage. Here are some quick tips:
- Unopened cream cheese lasts 2-3 weeks past its “Best By” date if stored properly in the refrigerator.
- Discard cream cheese that is moldy, has an odd odor, flavor or appearance.
- Properly stored, unopened cream cheese lasts longer than opened packages.
- Low-fat and fat-free cream cheese have a shorter shelf life than regular.
- Watch for signs of spoilage like mold, sliminess, separation, or an off-smell.
The “Best By” date is simply an indication of peak flavor and freshness, not safety. With careful inspection, unopened cream cheese can be good for up to a month beyond this date.
How to Tell if Expired Cream Cheese is Bad
Here are some signs that cream cheese has spoiled and is no longer safe to eat:
- Mold – Any mold on cream cheese means it should be discarded. Mold can penetrate deep into the product and the spores can cause health issues.
- Sliminess – Fresh cream cheese should have a smooth, creamy texture. If it becomes slimy or slippery, this indicates spoilage.
- Separation – Properly mixed cream cheese is smooth and uniform in texture. Separation of curds and whey signals deterioration.
- Discoloration – Cream cheese should be white or pale yellow. Grayish, brown or spotty discoloration are warning signs.
- Off odor – Cream cheese will take on a distinct rancid or sour smell when it has gone bad.
- Off flavor – Along with an odd aroma, spoiled cream cheese will have a distinct bitter, sour or unpleasant taste.
If your expired cream cheese exhibits any of these qualities, it is not worth taking the risk and should be discarded. Safety comes first.
How Long Does Unopened Cream Cheese Last When Properly Stored?
The shelf life of unopened cream cheese depends largely on how it is stored after purchase:
- Refrigerator (40°F or below) – 2 to 3 weeks past the “Best By” date.
- Freezer (0°F or below) – 6 to 8 months frozen.
The cold environment of the refrigerator slows bacteria growth. Freezing stops most bacterial activity. With proper storage, unopened cream cheese can be safe long past the “Best By” or expiration dates on the package. However, quality slowly declines over time.
Does Low-fat or Fat-free Cream Cheese Spoil Faster?
Lower fat cream cheese does not keep as long as regular full-fat cream cheese. Here are the differences in shelf life:
- Full-fat – 3 to 4 weeks after “Best By” date when refrigerated.
- Low-fat or Fat-free – 2 to 3 weeks after “Best By” date when refrigerated.
Fat content plays a role in how long cream cheese lasts. The less fat a product has, the quicker it spoils. Low-fat and fat-free varieties have a shorter shelf life compared to full-fat cream cheese.
Does Opening Cream Cheese Reduce Its Shelf Life?
Once opened, the shelf life of cream cheese is reduced. Here are some guidelines for opened packages:
- Refrigerator – About 2 weeks after opening.
- Freezer – Not recommended to freeze opened cream cheese.
Opening the cream cheese exposes it to air, introducing mold spores and oxygen that accelerate spoilage. Properly stored, unopened packages last significantly longer than opened ones.
How to Store Cream Cheese to Maximize Freshness
To get the most shelf life out of cream cheese once opened or purchased, proper storage is key:
- Keep cream cheese tightly sealed in its original packaging until you are ready to use it.
- Once opened, rewrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate.
- Do not store cream cheese in the door of your refrigerator, where the temperature fluctuates.
- Use opened cream cheese within 14 days and don’t freeze it.
- If freezing unopened packages, use freezer bags or airtight containers.
- Always check for signs of spoilage before consuming, even if stored properly.
Following these tips minimizes air exposure and keeps cream cheese fresher longer after opening or purchasing.
Is it Safe to Taste Expired Cream Cheese?
It is not recommended to taste expired cream cheese to determine if it is still good. Here’s why:
- Harmful bacteria may be present without obvious signs of spoilage.
- Off flavors or textures don’t always manifest right away with spoilage.
- Tasting can transfer bacteria from the cheese into your mouth.
Instead, inspect the cream cheese visually for mold, separation, odd colors or sliminess. Smell it for any rancid or sour odors. Never taste expired dairy products, even if they appear normal.
Can You Bake or Cook With Slightly Expired Cream Cheese?
Baking or cooking cream cheese that is past its “Best By” date is generally safe, with a few precautions:
- Make sure cream cheese shows no signs of spoilage (mold, smell, etc).
- Avoid using it in unbaked dairy desserts like cheesecake.
- Cook fillings, dips and frostings containing cream cheese thoroughly to 165°F.
- Consume baked goods containing expired cream cheese quickly.
- Avoid giving baked goods with expired cream cheese to those with compromised immunity.
The heat from baking or cooking can destroy harmful bacteria in cream cheese. However, it is still a better idea to use fresh cream cheese in recipes that call for it.
Risks of Eating Spoiled Cream Cheese
Consuming cream cheese that has gone bad introduces potentially dangerous bacteria into your digestive tract. Here are some risks:
- Food poisoning – Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, and abdominal pain.
- Listeriosis – Rare but dangerous infection that can cause fever, headache, confusion and convulsions.
- Salmonellosis – Foodborne illness with symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
To avoid getting sick, inspect cream cheese carefully and never consume any that shows signs of spoilage. Severe foodborne illnesses are most likely to affect those with weakened immune systems like the elderly, pregnant women, infants and young children.
Can You Freeze Cream Cheese to Extend Its Shelf Life?
Freezing is an effective way to extend the shelf life of unopened cream cheese. Here are some freezing guidelines:
- Freeze cream cheese in its original packaging for 6-8 months past the printed “Best By” date.
- For storage over 2 months, wrap the package in freezer bags or foil.
- Thaw frozen cream cheese overnight in the refrigerator before use.
- Let cream cheese reach room temperature before whipping for maximum volume.
- Freeze in recipe-sized portions to avoid repeated thawing and refreezing.
- Don’t refreeze thawed cream cheese; use within 3-4 days.
Properly frozen cream cheese retains its freshness much longer. However, freezing does cause some degradation in texture. Thoroughly thawed cream cheese regains a smooth, spreadable consistency.
Is It Safe to Freeze Opened Cream Cheese?
It is not recommended to freeze cream cheese once opened. Here’s why:
- Opened packaging allows oxygen exposure, even when rewrapped.
- Freezing cannot stop mold growth once cream cheese is exposed to air.
- Thawing leads to higher moisture content and faster spoilage.
- Texture and flavor suffers more compared to unopened packages.
For best quality and safety, use opened cream cheese within the recommended 2 week refrigerated shelf life. Freeze only unopened, well-sealed packages of cream cheese.
Signs Your Thawed Cream Cheese Has Spoiled
Look for these signs that previously frozen cream cheese has deteriorated in quality:
- Mold growth – Check packaging carefully for tiny spots of mold.
- Separation – Thawed cream cheese should still have a smooth, uniform consistency.
- Curdled texture – Properly thawed cream cheese should be creamy, not lumpy or grainy.
- Sour odor and flavor – Fresh cream cheese has a mild dairy aroma and flavor.
- Excess moisture – Small droplets of water on thawed cream cheese signal spoilage.
Never consume thawed cream cheese that exhibits any of these qualities. Use your thawed cream cheese promptly within 3-4 days and watch closely for spoilage signs.
How Can You Restore Spoiled Cream Cheese?
There is no safe way to restore cream cheese that has already begun to spoil. Moldy, sour or slimy cream cheese that is past its prime should be discarded. Here’s why:
- Once harmful bacteria colonize cream cheese, they are impossible to remove.
- No amount of cooking, freezing, culturing or processing can undo spoilage.
- Spoiled cream cheese can still harbor dangerous toxins even if bacteria are killed off.
- Off-flavors or textures due to chemical breakdowns cannot be reversed.
When in doubt with expired cream cheese, don’t risk illness trying to restore it. Trust your senses, monitor carefully for any signs of spoilage and don’t hesitate to throw it out.
How to Know if Your Cream Cheese Has Gone Bad
Here are quick tips for identifying bad cream cheese:
- Check for mold growth, even tiny spots.
- Give it a sniff test – rancid odors mean toss it.
- Sliminess, slippery texture or watery separation is a red flag.
- Grayish, dull or spotty coloration equals spoilage.
- Note any bitter or unpleasant flavors.
- If in doubt at all, play it safe and throw it out.
Trust your senses. Your eyes, nose and taste buds can reliably detect spoiled cream cheese that could make you sick. When inspecting older cream cheese, a little caution goes a long way.
Conclusion
Unopened packages of cream cheese can often be safely consumed within 2-3 weeks of the printed expiration date if properly stored in the refrigerator. However, signs of spoilage like mold, off-flavors, separation or sliminess mean it should be discarded immediately. Freezing extends shelf life of unopened cream cheese significantly. Opened packages have a much shorter shelf life of only around 2 weeks in the fridge. Ultimately, using your best judgment along with your senses of sight, smell and taste are the best defenses against consuming spoiled cream cheese. When in doubt, throw it out!
