Quick Answer
Bologna that has been properly refrigerated and remains sealed in its original packaging can generally be eaten within 5-7 days of the sell-by date printed on the package. However, it’s important to inspect the bologna and your senses to check for signs of spoilage like discoloration, sliminess, or foul odors before eating. If any doubts exist about the bologna’s safety, it’s best to discard it.
What is Bologna?
Bologna is a type of cooked, smoked sausage made of finely ground beef and/or pork along with salt, spices, and other flavorings. It gets its name from the Northern Italian city of Bologna, where it originated.
Bologna can come in a few different forms:
- Whole or ring bologna is made in a tube shape.
- Sliced bologna comes presliced into round, flat pieces.
- Chicken bologna or turkey bologna swaps out the traditional beef and pork for poultry.
- Lebanon bologna uses a Pennsylvania Dutch recipe with beef and spices like nutmeg and red pepper.
In the U.S., bologna is mass-produced and inexpensive. It’s fairly low in fat yet still has a smooth, fatty mouthfeel. The flavor is mild with a salty, smoky taste.
How Long Does Bologna Last Refrigerated?
Properly stored, sealed bologna lasts for the following amounts of time in the refrigerator:
| Type of Bologna | Refrigerator Life |
|---|---|
| Unopened package | 2 weeks past the sell-by date |
| Opened package | 3-5 days |
| Cooked bologna | 3-4 days |
The sell-by date printed on the bologna package indicates the last recommended day to use the bologna for best quality. But it remains safe to eat for an additional 1-2 weeks past this date.
Once opened, bacteria are introduced which reduces the shelf life to just 3-5 more days. Cooked bologna also has a shorter shelf life of 3-4 days since cooking kills any bacteria initially present but can allow new bacteria to grow more quickly.
How to Tell if Bologna is Bad
Bologna, like many perishable foods, can cause foodborne illness if consumed past its prime. Here are some signs that indicate spoiled, bad bologna:
- Discoloration – Fresh bologna is uniformly pink. Grey, green, or brown hues indicate spoilage.
- Sliminess – Spoiled bologna develops a wet, sticky or tacky texture.
- Mold – Fuzzy mold spots mean the bologna should be discarded.
- Yeasty smell – Bologna gives off a beer-like, yeasty or sour odor when bad.
- Rotten smell – Rancid, putrid or rotten smells mean the bologna has spoiled.
- Off tastes – Bad bologna simply doesn’t taste right or taste pleasant.
Any bologna that exhibits these signs of spoilage should be thrown out. Do not taste questionable bologna to check if it’s gone bad! Discarding spoiled food is the safest option.
Can You Eat Bologna After 7 Days?
Bologna that has been continuously refrigerated can be eaten within 5-7 days past the sell-by date printed on the package. This window gives a buffer of time to enjoy the bologna at peak freshness and flavor.
However, it’s essential to use your senses before eating bologna that is nearing the end of its recommended shelf life. Check that:
- The color remains bright pink with no grey, brown or green hues
- The texture is firm with no stickiness or slime
- There are no signs of mold growth
- The bologna has a mild, meaty smell without any sour, rancid or yeasty odors
- The taste is normal, without any bitter, chemical or rotten flavors
As long as properly refrigerated bologna passes these sight, smell and taste inspections, it should be fine to eat within a week after the sell-by date. But when in doubt, remember it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Does Refrigerating Bologna Make it Last Longer?
Refrigerating bologna is the best way to maximize its shelf life and prevent premature spoilage. Proper refrigeration helps slow the growth of bacteria that causes bologna to go bad.
Here are some refrigerator storage tips for keeping bologna fresher longer:
- Keep refrigerator temperature at 40°F or below. Use a refrigerator thermometer to monitor.
- Store unopened bologna on a lower shelf away from the door where the temperature is most stable.
- Keep opened packages tightly wrapped and towards the back of the top shelf where colder.
- Don’t overcrowd the refrigerator. Air circulation helps maintain cold temps.
- Regularly clean the refrigerator and wipe up spills which can spread bacteria.
- Avoid opening the refrigerator door unnecessarily.
Proper refrigeration can prolong the shelf life of sealed, unopened bologna by 2 weeks past the sell-by date. An opened package will last 3-5 more days when refrigerated compared to just 1-2 days at room temperature.
Does Freezing Bologna Make It Last Longer?
Freezing bologna below 0°F can nearly stop bacteria growth allowing it to last significantly longer – up to 2-3 months in the freezer.
To maximize freezer shelf life:
- Wrap bologna tightly in plastic wrap or place in airtight containers.
- Remove as much air as possible prior to freezing.
- Label packages with contents and freeze-by date.
- Freeze at 0°F or colder. Use a freezer thermometer to verify temperature.
- Once thawed, use bologna within 3-5 days.
- Do not refreeze thawed bologna.
Properly frozen bologna remains safe almost indefinitely. But frozen storage will gradually degrade the quality and taste over time. Bologna that has been frozen longer than 2-3 months may suffer some texture changes with a mushier bite. But it remains completely safe to eat.
Can You Eat Cooked Bologna After 7 Days?
Cooked bologna has a slightly shorter shelf life compared to fresh bologna. But cooked bologna stored in the refrigerator can still be safely eaten within 3-4 days of cooking.
It’s especially important to check cooked bologna for signs of spoilage before eating as the cooking process introduces new bacteria that can multiply faster. Look for:
- Unusual odors
- Slimy texture
- Discoloration or greenish tint
- Mold growth
Make sure cooked bologna is refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking. Only reheat cooked bologna to 165°F once before discarding any leftovers after 3-4 days. Do not leave bologna unrefrigerated longer than 1-2 hours.
When reheating cooked bologna, check the internal temperature using a food thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F for safety. Reheated bologna can be kept hot in a slow cooker or warming tray for serving.
Signs Bologna Has Gone Bad After 7 Days
While refrigerated bologna keeps for 5-7 days past the sell-by date if unopened, and 3-5 days once opened, there are certain warning signs that indicate spoiled bologna:
- Mold – Mold colonies growing on the surface of the bologna are a sure sign it has spoiled and should be discarded. Mold can come in different colors like white, green or blue and fuzziness. Even a small spot means bologna should not be eaten.
- Slimy Texture – Bologna that feels sticky, tacky or excessively wet indicates bacteria growth. The slimy consistency is a result of enzymes breaking down the meat and should not be consumed.
- Discoloration – As it spoils, bologna can become grey, brown or greenish losing its bright pink color. Unnatural colors are a red flag for spoiled meat.
- Sour Smell – Bad bologna gives off a sour, ammonia-like stench instead of a mild meaty aroma. This overpowering acidic odor alerts that bacteria has multiplied and made it unfit to eat.
- Off Flavor – Rancid, bitter or chemical-like tastes when sampling a small bite means the bologna has turned and should not be finished.
Trust your senses – if bologna smells bad, looks weird or tastes off after a week in the fridge, don’t risk eating it. Better safe than sorry.
What Happens If You Eat Bad Bologna?
Eating bad bologna that has spoiled can cause foodborne illness with symptoms like:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
Food poisoning from bologna most commonly results from bacteria like Listeria, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, and Clostridium botulinum.
Mold growth can also make bologna unsafe by producing mycotoxins that can cause illness.
Symptoms typically start within hours of eating contaminated bologna and last 1-3 days or longer. Severity depends on the amount eaten, your health, and the type of bacteria or toxin involved.
At-risk groups like pregnant women, children, elderly and those with weak immune systems are more prone to severe complications from foodborne toxins. Seek medical treatment if food poisoning symptoms persist or worsen.
How to Safely Handle Bologna
Practice proper hygiene and food safety when handling, preparing and storing bologna to prevent foodborne bacteria:
- Wash hands before and after touching bologna.
- Use clean utensils and cutting boards.
- Separate raw bologna from other foods during storage and prep.
- Refrigerate bologna within 2 hours of buying or opening.
- Cook bologna to an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Store leftovers within 2 hours and reheat to 165°F before serving.
- Discard bologna if left at room temperature longer than 2 hours.
- Avoid cross-contaminating ready-to-eat foods with raw bologna.
Following safe food handling practices reduces the risk of foodborne illness from bologna and other luncheon meats. Discard bologna if uncertain about its freshness or you see any mold, smell spoilage odors or note other signs of bacteria growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you eat vacuum sealed bologna after 7 days?
Properly sealed, vacuum-packed bologna can be eaten within 5-7 days past the sell-by date if continuously refrigerated. Vacuum sealing removes oxygen to inhibit bacteria growth and keep bologna fresh longer. Check for signs of spoilage before eating after a week.
Can I eat bologna 10 days after opening?
Bologna that has been refrigerated after opening has a shelf life of just 3-5 more days. It’s unlikely bologna will still be good 10 days after the package was first opened. However, always check for foul odors, slime, and other signs of spoilage before consuming to be safe.
What happens if you eat expired cold cuts?
Eating expired deli meats like bologna increases the risk of foodborne illness. Old, expired cold cuts are more prone to harbor dangerous bacteria growth causing symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain if ingested. Never eat deli meats that are past expiration, even if refrigerated.
Can I eat packaged lunch meat that is 5 days past expiration date?
It’s not recommended to eat packaged lunch meats more than 1-2 days past the expiration or sell-by date, even if refrigerated. Bacteria can multiply quickly in deli meats after opening. Discard any pre-packaged bologna, ham, turkey or other lunch meat that is 5 days past its expiration for optimal safety and quality.
Conclusion
In most cases, refrigerated bologna remains safe to eat within 5-7 days after the sell-by date if it stays sealed, and 3-5 days once opened. However, always inspect refrigerated bologna that is nearing expiration for signs of spoilage like odor, color and texture changes before consuming. It’s better to be safe than sorry when dealing with perishable meats. Discard bologna left at room temperature for over 2 hours. Following proper refrigeration and food safety practices helps prevent foodborne illness from bologna and other luncheon meats.