Quick Answer
Eating bacon past the expiration date printed on the package can increase your risk of foodborne illness. However, if the bacon has been continuously refrigerated and the package is fully vacuum sealed with no tears, it may retain quality and safety for some time past the printed date. Properly stored, unopened bacon can last 1 week past the “sell by” date and up to 4 weeks past the “best by” date. Once opened, reseal and use within 3-5 days. Discard bacon that smells off, is sticky or slimy, or shows any discoloration. When in doubt, throw it out.
Can you eat bacon after the expiration date?
The expiration date printed on bacon packaging is not necessarily a hard-and-fast deadline. Depending on how it has been stored, bacon may still be safe to eat for a period after the date on the package. However, it’s impossible to know just how long past the date that bacon can safely be eaten. After the printed date, quality and safety diminish over time.
There are two main types of dates on bacon packaging:
Sell by date
The “sell by” date is meant to guide retailers on how long the product can be displayed for sale. Bacon should be sold by this date for maximum freshness. Consumers can still store and use bacon for about 1 week after the sell by date if it has been continuously refrigerated.
Best by/Use by date
The “best by” or “use by” date indicates the end of the estimated period during which bacon will retain optimal flavor and quality when stored properly. Bacon may still be safe to eat for some weeks beyond this date, but quality declines over time. Unopened, vacuum-sealed bacon is generally fine for up to 4 weeks after the printed best by date if refrigerated at 40°F or below.
So in summary, while not a definite safety cutoff, the printed expiration date can serve as a helpful reference point. Bacon should optimally be consumed before this date, but may still be safe for some time after depending on type of date, storage conditions, and evidence of spoilage.
How to tell if bacon is bad after the expiration date
Because bacon can sometimes still be good even after its sell by or use by date, it’s important to fully assess signs of spoilage before consuming. Here are tips for determining if bacon has gone bad and should be discarded:
Check the package
Bacon packaged in vacuum-sealed wrapping that has no tears or holes should maintain quality longer after the date on the label, provided it has been continuously refrigerated. Punctures or loose packaging allow air exposure which causes faster spoilage. Discard if package seal is compromised.
Give it a sniff test
Fresh bacon has a meaty, savory smell. Rancid bacon gives off an unpleasant odor that is strong and offensive. If it smells bad or “off,” it’s safest to throw it out.
Look for sticky or slimy texture
Bad bacon can become slimy and sticky to the touch. This texture change happens when fats start to break down. Discard any bacon with an abnormal texture.
Watch for color changes
The color of raw bacon can change from pink to grey or brown as it spoils. Cooked bacon can turn brown or grey. If you notice discoloration before or after cooking, it should not be eaten.
When in doubt, throw it out
If there are any signs of spoilage or you are uncertain about the safety of bacon past its date, don’t risk getting sick. Play it safe and discard bacon that is questionable.
How long does unopened bacon last after the sell by date?
Properly stored in its original vacuum-sealed packaging, unopened bacon will generally remain fresh and usable for:
– 1 week past sell by date
– 3-4 weeks past best by/use by date
These timeframes assume continuous refrigeration at 40°F or below. The colder bacon is kept, the longer it will last. Freezer storage can extend shelf life even further. Opened packages have a much shorter shelf life.
How long does opened bacon last after being opened?
Once opened, bacon will only keep 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Make sure to tightly rewrap or seal any leftover bacon pieces in an airtight container or bag. Cooked bacon leftovers also need to be eaten within 3-5 days.
To maximize shelf life after opening:
– Refrigerate bacon at 40°F or below
– Seal tightly in an airtight container
– Use within 3-5 days
– Cook leftovers within 3-5 days
Discard any bacon that smells bad or looks off after opening, even if within the 3-5 day timeframe. When air and microbes interact with bacon after opening, spoilage happens faster.
What are the signs of spoiled bacon?
Here are the main indications that bacon has spoiled and is no longer safe to eat:
Change in smell
Fresh bacon has a distinctive savory, meaty smell. As it starts deteriorating, the odor becomes rancid, sharp, or sour.
Change in texture
Bad bacon feels sticky, slimy, or mushy. The fat can start breaking down, causing texture changes.
Change in color
The pink meat color becomes brown or grey. Cooked bacon also turns brown or grey as it goes bad.
Mold growth
You may see fuzzy mold growing on the surface of spoiled bacon. Mold is a clear sign to discard the bacon.
Discoloration in package
Accumulation of liquid in the packaging and discoloration of the meat itself or drippings indicates spoilage.
Can spoiled bacon make you sick?
Yes, eating spoiled, out of date bacon can make you sick. Here are some of the risks:
Food poisoning
Consuming rancid bacon can lead to foodborne illness caused by bacteria like Salmonella, Listeria, Staphylococcus, and E. coli. Typical symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.
Toxins
Microbial toxins can build up in spoiled bacon, causing symptoms like headache, fever, and muscle cramps if ingested.
Mold toxicity
Some molds that grow on spoiled bacon can produce mycotoxins leading to illness. Symptoms may include vomiting, abdominal pain, and jaundice.
Increased disease risk
Eating spoiled bacon may potentially increase susceptibility to infection or disease due to bacteria present. People with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable.
While normally harmless to ingest in small amounts, high levels of spoiled bacteria and toxins can overwhelm the body, so it’s critical to avoid consuming out of date or otherwise contaminated bacon.
How should you store unopened bacon?
To help bacon retain quality and safety for as long as possible, follow these proper storage methods:
– Keep bacon refrigerated at 40°F or below until ready to use. Consistent cold temperatures slow bacteria growth.
– Leave bacon in its original commercial packaging. The vacuum-sealed wrapping protects against air exposure.
– Check sell by and use by dates. Use bacon by the recommended timeframes.
– Place bacon on a shelf or in a drawer away from raw meats to avoid cross-contamination.
– Avoid freezing and thawing bacon more than once, as this speeds up deterioration.
– Discard bacon if packaging seal is broken or damaged. Air causes faster spoilage.
Following safe refrigeration guidelines gives you the best chance of bacon lasting past its printed date while retaining good quality.
How should you store opened bacon?
Once opened, bacon needs more protection to prevent premature spoilage. Follow these tips:
– Immediately rewrap unused bacon slices or pieces in plastic wrap or foil. Remove as much air as possible.
– Place rewrapped bacon in an airtight container or resealable bag. Push out excess air before sealing.
– Ensure cooked bacon leftovers are stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
– Keep refrigerated at 40°F or below. Use within 3-5 days.
– Make sure packaging is intact with no holes or openings through which air or moisture can enter after opening. This maintains quality and freshness longer.
– Consider freezing leftovers or unused portions for longer storage. Thaw refrigerated in packaging before use.
Proper storage methods after opening help prolong bacon’s shelf life and reduce food safety risks. Discard if any off-smells, textures, or discoloration become evident.
Can you freeze bacon after the expiration date?
Yes, freezing can extend the shelf life of bacon past its printed sell by or use by date. To freeze bacon after its expiration date:
– Check for signs of spoilage like sticky texture, grey color, or sour odor. Discard if bacon seems spoiled.
– Put bacon in airtight packaging like freezer bags or containers, removing as much air as possible.
– Label package with contents and freeze-by date (3-4 months from packaging date).
– Freeze at 0°F or below. Consistent freezer temperatures stop bacteria growth.
– Once thawed, use refrigerated bacon within 1 week for best quality.
– Do not refreeze bacon after thawing. Refreezing increases risk of bacterial contamination.
Freezing can buy you extra time to use up bacon, but it won’t improve the quality or make bacon last indefinitely. For optimal freshness and food safety, the freezer storage time should not exceed 3-4 months.
What are some safe ways to use bacon past its date?
If stored properly in the fridge or freezer, bacon may still be fine to eat even after passing the date on the package. Here are some safer ways to use potentially past-prime bacon:
– Cook bacon thoroughly until crispy to reduce bacteria risk.
– Use cooked bacon immediately after cooking rather than storing leftovers.
– Add small amounts of cooked bacon as a flavoring to other dishes like salads, baked potatoes, soups, or casseroles.
– Bake bacon into casseroles, quiches or tarts to heat it thoroughly.
– Boil pasta, vegetables, or potatoes in water that bacon has been cooked in. The boiling water helps destroy bacteria.
– Fry other foods like eggs or potatoes in bacon grease for extra flavor.
– Use bacon fat drippings to add smoky flavor to dishes like green beans or collard greens.
Proper cooking and using bacon as an ingredient rather than eating it plain helps minimize potential food safety issues if bacon is past recommended dates. But when in doubt, do not risk it – throw it out.
Can you eat bacon that smells bad but not expired?
No, you should not eat bacon that smells spoiled or rancid even if the date on the package indicates it is still within the expiration timeframe.
Trust your nose. Rancid odors in bacon signify bacteria growth and/or chemical changes from spoilage. Some common signs that bacon has gone bad and should be discarded:
– Sharp, sour, or ammonia-like smell
– Rotten odor
– Very rubbery or rigid texture
– Grey, green, or brown color
– Slime formation
– Mold growth
The sell-by and use-by dates are not definitive cut-offs. Other signs of spoilage mean bacon is no longer safe, even if the date hasn’t passed. The off-smells indicate bacteria or toxins are present. Consuming bacon that smells rancid or rotten can cause foodborne illness. Don’t take risks – when in doubt, throw it out.
Conclusion
While the sell by and use by dates on packages provide helpful guidance, a variety of factors determine just how long after the printed date bacon can still be safely consumed. Properly stored bacon may retain quality and safety for some time past the label date, but over time natural deterioration will occur.
Carefully check bacon for visual and olfactory signs of spoilage before eating. Be extra vigilant once packaging is opened, as air exposure decreases shelf life rapidly. Refrigeration, freezing, reheating, and cooking bacon thoroughly can help minimize food safety risks. However, it’s impossible to know exactly when bacon stops being edible. When in doubt, remember it’s better to be safe than sorry. Follow your intuition, and discard bacon at the first hints of anything off.