Kraft grated Parmesan cheese, like many dairy products, does have an expiration date printed on the container. However, expiration dates are not always a definitive indication of whether or not a food is safe to eat. With proper storage, Parmesan cheese can often last well beyond its printed date. Here is a closer look at how to tell if your Kraft grated Parmesan has gone bad and whether expired Parmesan is safe to eat.
Does Parmesan cheese expire?
Yes, Parmesan cheese does technically expire. All dairy products contain perishable ingredients like milk and milk proteins that can eventually go bad. Dairy products are given expiration dates to indicate the date up until which the manufacturer guarantees the best flavor and texture.
For grated Parmesan cheese sold in containers, the expiration date is typically printed on the bottom or along the rim. Kraft grated Parmesan has a production code stamped on the container that can be used to determine the expiration date. The first digit indicates the year (for example, 3 = 2013) and the next three digits indicate the day of that year (001-365).
So a code of 3265 would translate to March 26, 2013 being the expiration date. Once Parmesan cheese passes its printed expiration date, decreases in quality like flavor, texture, and aroma can occur. However, the cheese may still be safe for consumption after that date if it has been stored properly.
How to tell if grated Parmesan cheese is expired
There are a few signs that can indicate your grated Parmesan has spoiled and should be discarded:
- Mold – Any mold growth, usually appears powdery and green/blue
- Off odors – Foul, sour, or unpleasant smells
- Change in color – Significant darkening or unnatural colors
- Hard texture – Extremely hard chunks that are difficult to grate
- Taste – Bitter, sour, or unpleasant flavor
If your grated Parmesan exhibits any of those characteristics, it should be discarded. Safety is the priority with perishable dairy products. If you notice your cheese separating into liquid and solids, that is also a sign it is past its prime.
Does expired grated Parmesan go bad?
Grated Parmesan can go bad once it is past its expiration date, but it may still be safe to consume for a period after that date. Dairy products don’t necessarily spoil as soon as their expiration date passes. How long it stays fresh depends on factors like:
- Food quality – Fresher cheeses last longer
- Storage temperature – Cooler is better
- Packaging – Intact, well-sealed container
- Exposure to air – Minimal exposure once opened
High-quality Parmesan stored in optimal conditions may retain good flavor and texture for several weeks or longer past its printed expiration date. Lower moisture cheeses like Parmesan naturally resist spoilage better than soft, perishable cheeses.
Is it safe to eat expired Parmesan cheese?
It’s generally safe to consume grated Parmesan cheese even after its expiration date as long as it was stored properly and there are no signs of spoilage like mold, off-odors, or very dry texture. Hard cheeses usually keep from one week to several months past their printed date.
Safety does depend on storage conditions. If the cheese shows any odd colors, smells, tastes unpleasant, or feels excessively dry or slimy, it’s best to discard it. With moldy cheese, scraping off the mold doesn’t make it safe since mold can penetrate deeply. Don’t taste test cheese that might be spoiled.
If the Parmesan smells and looks normal but is past its date, it should be safe to eat, but may have diminished flavor and texture at that point. Always use your judgment and remember that consumption of expired foods is at your own risk.
How long does grated Parmesan last after opening?
After opening, grated Parmesan will usually stay fresh for:
- Refrigerator: 2 to 4 months
- Freezer: 6 to 8 months
Make sure to reseal the bag or container tightly and store in the coldest area of the fridge or freezer. Minimizing exposure to air helps prevent moisture loss. If you transfer the cheese to another airtight container, you can often extend its shelf life. Properly stored, unopened grated Parmesan can last for over a year past its sell-by date.
How to extend the life of grated Parmesan
Here are some tips for getting the longest possible shelf life out of your grated Parmesan cheese:
- Purchase smaller containers for a single household if you won’t use large amounts quickly.
- Keep sealed container in the refrigerator once open.
- Press out air and seal container tightly after each use.
- Use clean utensils to remove cheese.
- Don’t mix fresh grated cheese with older cheese.
- Transfer to freezer if you won’t finish within 4 months.
Avoiding contamination, minimizing air exposure, and storing in cold temperatures optimizes freshness. Use cheese within recommended timeframes or freeze for later use.
How to store grated Parmesan cheese
For best preservation of flavor and texture:
- Refrigerate unopened cheese in original packaging.
- Keep unused portions in the fridge inside sealed containers or bags.
- Make sure cheese is tightly wrapped with minimal air exposure.
- Store in the coldest section, not the door.
- If freezing, use air-tight containers or freezer bags.
The refrigerator temperature should be at or below 40°F. The freezer should maintain a steady 0°F for long-term storage. Follow any specific storage instructions on packaging.
Can you refreeze grated Parmesan cheese?
It’s best to just thaw the amount of grated Parmesan you plan to use rather than refreezing any thawed portion. However, if necessary, it is safe to refreeze Parmesan cheese one time if it was originally frozen properly and has been kept frozen solid. Make sure there are no signs of spoilage before refreezing.
Refreezing may impact texture and cause the cheese to become more crumbly. Thaw the cheese in the refrigerator prior to refreezing to help retain quality. Refreeze promptly in an airtight container or freezer bag. Label with the new date and plan to use within a couple months.
What happens if you eat expired Parmesan cheese?
Eating small amounts of expired Parmesan is unlikely to cause illness if it hasn’t developed any mold or very unpleasant odors. Consuming heavily spoiled, dried out, or moldy cheese could potentially cause food poisoning or digestive upset.
Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain or cramps. Mold ingestion can trigger allergic reactions. Seek medical care if you experience severe symptoms after eating expired or contaminated cheese.
To avoid any risk of illness, stick to grated Parmesan before its expiration date and within the recommended storage times after opening. Rely on your senses – if the cheese smells, looks, or tastes off, err on the side of caution and throw it out.
Can Parmesan cheese be frozen?
Grated Parmesan can be frozen for prolonged storage either in its original packaging or transferred to a freezer bag or container. Make sure packaging is sealed tightly. Frozen, it will keep for 6 to 8 months before quality starts to decline. Thaw in the refrigerator before use.
Freezing stops the cheese’s aging process to help maintain quality. It may get slightly drier in texture but will be safe. Whole Parmesan wedges can also be frozen by double wrapping in plastic wrap and foil. Allow to thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
What’s the best way to thaw frozen Parmesan cheese?
Refrigeration is the safest way to thaw frozen Parmesan. This helps prevent bacterial growth. Transfer the frozen cheese to the refrigerator 12-24 hours before needed. Remove any store packaging and place in a bowl or storage container to let thaw. Thawing time depends on how much you’re thawing.
You can quicken the process slightly by sealing the cheese in a plastic bag and placing in a bowl of cool water. Change the water every 30 minutes so it stays chilled. Never thaw cheese at room temperature or in hot water.
Once thawed, use immediately. Don’t refreeze thawed cheese without cooking it first. Make sure the cheese hasn’t developed any signs of spoilage before consuming.
Can you cook with expired Parmesan?
It’s generally safe to use expired Parmesan cheese that still appears and smells normal in cooked dishes. The heat from cooking helps destroy any bacteria. Stir expired Parmesan into sauces, soups, casseroles, baked ziti, and other heated applications.
Avoid eating large chunks of expired Parmesan on its own. As long as the cheese hasn’t become dried out or developed mold, using it in cooked foods poses minimal risks when stored and handled properly. But never taste expired cheese before adding to a dish.
If the Parmesan has become very hard and crumbly or smells odd, it’s safer to discard it altogether. With any spoiled food, there’s always a small risk of illness, even after cooking.
Will cooking improve bad Parmesan cheese?
Cooking can destroy some bacteria in Parmesan that’s begun to spoil, but it can’t reverse signs of severely spoiled cheese. If the Parmesan has visible mold, unpleasant odors, unnatural sliminess, or tastes very bitter or rancid, cooking won’t make it safe to eat. At that point, throw it out.
If it is just past its prime freshness but shows no signs of contamination or heavy spoilage, brief cooking may help eliminate potential harmful pathogens. Using extra caution like avoiding consumption of large amounts is advised.
However, cooking can’t restore the original texture and flavor of cheese that has gone significantly bad. Your best bet is to rely on properly stored cheese used by recommended dates for optimal safety and quality.
Can you eat moldy Parmesan cheese if you cut the mold off?
It’s not considered safe to simply cut away moldy areas on Parmesan cheese and consume the rest. With hard cheeses like Parmesan, the mold roots often spread deeper than visible mold growth on the surface. This can contaminate the entire block or wedge, even if you can’t see it.
Mold also gives off toxins that permeate through soft cheeses. Cutting away visible mold still leaves potential spores and toxins behind. For this reason, all moldy soft and semi-soft cheeses should be discarded.
With firmer cheeses like Parmesan, you may safely cut away at least 1 inch around any mold spot. But this applies only to spot mold and the cheese should still be consumed quickly. Any mold signifies the cheese is nearing spoilage.
Does pre-grated or shaker Parmesan expire faster?
Pre-grated Parmesan in containers or shaker cans does tend to expire faster than block Parmesan you grate yourself. Grating the cheese exposes more surface area to air and increases the risk of contamination.
Also, cellulose powder is often added to prevent caking in pre-grated cheeses. This fills in space between the cheese particles, allowing oxygen to penetrate and degrade the quality faster. Check expiration dates and store pre-grated cheese properly.
Tightly resealing containers after opening and minimizing air exposure helps extend the shelf life. But in general, grated Parmesan has a shorter prime freshness window than block Parmesan. Plan to use opened grated cheese within 2 to 4 months.
Does unopened Parmesan cheese expire?
Even if the Parmesan is unopened in its original packaging, it does have an expiration date printed on the label. Hard Parmesan cheeses can last up to 10 years unopened, but the manufacturer selects a much earlier “best by” date to ensure optimal flavor and texture.
An unopened package stored in proper conditions may retain good quality for a year or two after that printed date. Storage at cooler fridge temperatures extends shelf life. But eventually unopened Parmesan can expire and develop mold, off-flavors, or very dry texture.
For the best flavor, use Parmesan within about 6 months of purchasing for grated cheese or 1 year for cheese blocks. Monitor unopened packages and discard if any bulging or mold occurs.
Does Parmesan cheese need to be refrigerated?
Refrigeration extends the shelf life of all Parmesan types. To maintain quality and reduce spoilage risk, both opened and unopened Parmesan should be stored in the refrigerator. Keep Parmesan wedges in original packaging until first use.
Once opened, tightly rewrap cheese blocks in plastic wrap or wax paper and store in the warmest area of the fridge, usually the bottom shelf. Grated Parmesan should always be refrigerated in a sealed container after opening.
Proper refrigeration preserves the texture and signature nutty, salty flavor. It slows moisture loss and mold growth. While it’s preferred to refrigerate Parmesan, brief periods at room temperature of a couple hours won’t significantly affect an unopened block.
How to store Parmesan cheese
Here are some tips for storing Parmesan cheese:
- Keep tightly packaged cheese in the refrigerator.
- Change packaging of cheese blocks if opened.
- Seal grated cheese in an airtight container.
- Wrap cheese blocks in parchment paper if cut.
- Avoid exposing cheese to moisture or steam.
- Use clean, dry utensils to remove portions.
- Keep cheese separated from foods with strong odors.
Proper storage helps prevent drying out, mold growth, and contamination. Date cheese containers and use within recommended time frames. Freeze for longer storage.
Can you freeze Parmesan cheese?
Yes, it’s possible to safely freeze Parmesan cheese for extended storage. Parmesan’s low moisture content makes it suitable for freezing. Use these guidelines:
- Double wrap wedges in plastic wrap and foil.
- Portion grated cheese in amounts you’ll use up quickly.
- Remove as much air as possible.
- Use freezer-safe bags or containers.
- Freeze for up to 6 months.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
Freezing stops the aging process and preserves the texture well. Thawed cheese may be slightly crumbly but can be used for cooking. Allow extra time for a block to thaw.
How to freeze Parmesan cheese
Follow these simple steps to freeze Parmesan cheese:
- Double wrap cheese wedge tightly in plastic wrap, pressing out air.
- Wrap again tightly in foil, label, and date.
- Place in freezer bag if desired and return to freezer.
- For grated cheese, portion into amounts needed for recipes.
- Put in freezer bags or containers, removing excess air.
- Lay bags flat in the freezer.
- Once frozen, cheese can be stored upright.
- Always thaw overnight in the refrigerator before use.
Freezing stops the aging process and preserves the Parmesan’s freshness. Use frozen cheese within 3 to 6 months for best flavor.
Conclusion
Grated Parmesan cheese does expire and will eventually spoil if not stored properly, but its shelf life can be prolonged with proper refrigeration and handling. Hard cheeses like Parmesan may be safe to eat even after expiration, but quality and taste suffer over time.
Discard Parmesan once it grows mold, develops an unpleasant odor, changes color, or becomes very dry or slimy in texture. Freezing extends the shelf life significantly. With optimal storage conditions and avoiding contamination, Parmesan can retain good flavor and texture for a period after its printed expiration date.
