Quick Answer
Nutella that has passed its “Best Before” date but is still sealed and unopened can still be safely consumed. The “Best Before” date refers to quality rather than safety, and an unopened jar of Nutella will stay fresh for 1-2 years after this date. As long as there is no mold growth or unpleasant odors, eating expired Nutella will not make you sick. However, the taste and texture may slowly degrade over time.
What Do Expiration Dates Mean?
Food expiration dates can be confusing. Here’s what the different terms mean:
Use By/Expiration Date
This is the last date that a food should be eaten by for food safety reasons. Eating foods past the use by or expiration date risks food poisoning from bacterial growth. Use by dates are found on perishable foods like meat, dairy and prepared meals.
Sell By Date
This date tells retailers when to remove a product from shelves. You can still safely eat foods for some time after the sell by date as long as they have been properly stored.
Best Before/Best By Date
This refers to the estimated date that optimal flavor and texture will last. Foods will slowly lose quality after this date but are still perfectly safe to eat if kept sealed. Best before dates are commonly found on shelf-stable pantry items like Nutella.
So in summary, use by and expiration dates are about safety. Sell by and best before dates are about quality.
Why Does Nutella Have a Best Before Date?
Nutella and other sealed foods like jams, peanut butter and canned goods are assigned best before dates rather than expiration dates. This is because foods in air-tight packaging can remain shelf-stable and safe to eat for prolonged periods.
Once a jar of Nutella is opened, it should be consumed within 3-4 months. But as long as the seal remains intact, an unopened jar of Nutella will maintain quality and safety far past its best before date.
Nutella’s ingredients – sugar, palm oil, hazelnuts, cocoa, etc. – do not easily spoil. The high sugar content prevents microbial growth. And the airtight packaging protects the Nutella from oxygen, light and moisture that could cause premature spoilage.
Best before dates are added more for consumer guidance and inventory purposes than safety reasons. Nutella’s manufacturer wants consumers to enjoy its product at peak freshness. The best before date tells you when optimal flavor and texture start to decline.
How Can You Tell if Unopened Expired Nutella is Still Good?
Here are some tips for evaluating the safety and quality of Nutella past its best before date:
Check the Packaging
Inspect the packaging to make sure it is still intact with no punctures, tears or other damage that would allow air inside. Also make sure the lid/seal has not popped up which would compromise the vacuum.
Look for Mold
Mold is one of the biggest concerns with expired Nutella. Check closely to ensure there is no fuzzy growth or spotting on the surface of the Nutella or inside the jar. This is a tell-tale sign the Nutella has spoiled.
Give it a Sniff
Open the Nutella and give it a smell. It should smell sweet and chocolatey with no sour, rancid or off odors. Any change in smell from normal means it is time to toss.
Inspect the Texture
Expired Nutella may begin separating with the oils rising to the top. It may also become thicker and grainy. However, these changes do not make it unsafe, only less smooth and spreadable.
Taste a Small Amount
The ultimate test is tasting the Nutella. Sample a small amount to check for changes in flavor. Rancid Nutella will taste bitter, metallic or soapy.
As long as it looks, smells and tastes normal, consider it good to go. But quality will slowly decline so it’s best to eat opened Nutella within 3-4 months. Discard any Nutella that shows signs of spoilage.
How Long Does Sealed Nutella Last Past its Best Before Date?
Properly stored, unopened Nutella lasts surprisingly longer than the best before date. An airtight container provides ideal storage conditions. Here’s how long you can expect Nutella to stay fresh and edible:
| Storage Method | Time After Best Before Date |
|---|---|
| Pantry (unopened) | 12-24 months |
| Pantry (opened) | 3-4 months |
| Refrigerator (opened) | 6-8 months |
| Freezer (opened) | 1 year |
As you can see, keeping Nutella sealed in the pantry potentially doubles its shelf life from the best before date compared to after opening. The refrigerator further extends the life of opened Nutella. Freezing is ideal for long term storage.
Should You Refrigerate Unopened Nutella?
Nutella will remain safe at room temperature unrefrigerated for the times listed above. However, some people prefer refrigerating unopened Nutella simply to extend the freshness as long as possible.
The low storage temperatures of the refrigerator slow down the natural deterioration. Refrigeration can prolong Nutella’s shelf life by a few extra months. Just be aware that cold Nutella will be thicker and harder to spread. Let refrigerated Nutella return to room temp before using.
So in summary, refrigeration is not mandatory for unopened products, but will keep the Nutella freshest if you don’t plan on eating it right away.
Can Eating Expired Nutella Make You Sick?
Eating expired foods is inherently risky. However, the chances of getting sick from Nutella that has passed its best before date but remains properly sealed are very low.
Here are some pathogens to be aware of:
Salmonella
Salmonella is uncommon in chocolate spreads, but its presence in the raw eggs and raw milk ingredients means Nutella carries a slight risk if those ingredients were originally contaminated. Nutella thoroughly cooks its eggs to eliminate salmonella. And salmonella cannot grow in Nutella’s low moisture environment.
Mold
Unopened Nutella does not support mold growth. But spotting or fuzzy growth means toss it. Inhaling mycotoxins from mold can cause allergic reactions. Consuming mold may lead to intestinal distress.
Staph aureus
This bacteria thrives on high sugar and low moisture foods. Toxin production can cause severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. But staph cannot penetrate unopened packaging.
Proper storage is key. An intact seal prevents microbial entry. Refrigeration prevents toxins from forming even if bacteria is present. By keeping Nutella from moisture, light and air, the original safety is maintained.
So while eating very expired Nutella could theoretically make you sick, your actual risk is very low if it has been continuously sealed.
How to Store Nutella to Maximize Shelf Life
Here are some tips on storing Nutella correctly to maintain the highest safety and quality:
– Keep Nutella sealed in its original jar until ready to use. Do not transfer to a container without a tight seal.
– After opening Nutella, press plastic wrap directly on the surface before replacing the lid to keep out excess air.
– Store Nutella in a cool, dry pantry away from light sources and humidity. Avoid warm spots like near the oven.
– Refrigerating after opening will prolong freshness. Let refrigerated Nutella come to room temp before serving.
– Nutella can be frozen for long term storage. Thaw in the refrigerator before use.
– Keep Nutella jars clean when scooping. Do not introduce water or double-dip with dirty utensils.
– Watch for signs of spoilage like mold, smell, texture and taste changes. Discard if any are detected.
Following proper storage methods and using your senses to check for spoilage will allow you to safely enjoy Nutella past its prime.
How To Use Up Nutella After Its Best Before Date
Nutella still has plenty of life left after its best before date. Here are creative ways to use up Nutella:
– Swirl into oatmeal or yogurt for a protein-packed breakfast
– Stuff into crepes or pancakes along with fruit
– Use in place of frosting between cake or cookie layers
– Mix into milk/ice for Nutella hot chocolate or milkshakes
– Dip whole fruits like strawberries, bananas, and apple slices
– Spread on toasted bread or waffles instead of butter
– Swirl into peanut butter for a chocolate hazelnut combo
– Use in truffles, fudge, or other no-bake candy recipes
– Add to coffee as a mocha flavored creamer
– Freeze in popsicle molds for Nutella fudge pops
– Bake into Nutella muffins, quickbreads or chocolate chip cookies
– Stir into vanilla Greek yogurt and top with berries for a simple dessert
With a little creativity, you can take expired Nutella from the pantry to delicious desserts, drinks and snacks. Get the most out of your Nutella by repurposing it in recipes.
Nutella Nutrition Facts
Here is the nutrition breakdown for a 2 tablespoon serving of Nutella:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 200 |
| Fat | 11g |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Carbohydrates | 21g |
| Sugar | 17g |
| Protein | 2g |
| Sodium | 10mg |
| Calcium | 44mg |
Nutella is high in sugar and fat, but can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet. The protein from the hazelnuts and skim milk provide satiety. Just be mindful of portion sizes as the calories quickly add up.
Conclusion
While it may seem risky to eat expired foods, Nutella that has safely remained sealed provides a long shelf life. Storage conditions are more important than the best before date for determining safety and quality of unopened Nutella.
Inspect packaging for damage, check for signs of spoilage, and evaluate taste/texture before consuming very expired Nutella. But the product should retain original freshness up to 1-2 years past its best before date if properly stored.
Pantry storage works for unopened Nutella. Then refrigerate after opening for maximum shelf life. Nutella still has uses in recipes even if it has passed its prime. So avoid throwing out old Nutella as long as common sense precautions are followed.
