Kraft mac and cheese is a staple in many households. The convenient boxes with powdered cheese sauce and pasta are popular because they’re tasty, easy to make, and have a long shelf life. But can Kraft mac and cheese really last indefinitely, or does it have an expiration date?
Does Packaged Mac and Cheese Expire?
Yes, even packaged mac and cheese has an expiration or “best by” date printed on the box. Kraft mac and cheese, like other pre-packaged foods, has a shelf life based on when it was manufactured. The expiration date tells you how long the product will retain its freshness and flavor.
How to Read Expiration Dates on Kraft Mac and Cheese Boxes
Kraft prints the expiration date in a few different ways on their mac and cheese boxes:
- “Best when used by” date – This tells you when the product will taste its absolute best. You can still safely eat it for some time after this date.
- “Sell by” date – Not meant for consumers, this is more of an inventory management date for retailers.
- Month and year – The last month of the year by which the product should be consumed.
- Numeric julian date – The three digit code indicates the day of the year (001-365) by which it should be used.
Kraft does not use words like “expires on” or “use by” which indicate the last date a product should be consumed by. Their dates are more about peak freshness than an expiration warning.
How Long Does Kraft Mac and Cheese Last After the Printed Date?
The shelf life past the printed date depends on the type of mac and cheese:
- Dry pasta and cheese packet: If unopened, these will stay fresh 6-12 months past the best by date.
- Microwaveable cups: These have a shorter shelf life of just 4-6 months past the date.
- Easy Mac cups: Slightly longer at 9 months past the date.
So you generally have quite a wide window of time after the printed date to safely eat Kraft mac and cheese without any noticeable decline in flavor or texture.
How to Tell if Kraft Mac and Cheese is Bad?
Although it’s very durable, Kraft mac and cheese can eventually spoil. Here are signs that your box of mac and cheese has gone bad:
- Mold visible on pasta or cheese powder
- Sour or off smell
- Change in color or texture
- Dry, crunchy pasta
- Extremely hard cheese block
- Separated or clumpy cheese powder
If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to throw the mac and cheese away rather than risk eating spoiled food.
How to Store Kraft Mac and Cheese to Prolong Shelf Life
Kraft mac and cheese can last even longer if stored properly. Here are some storage tips to get the most out of your boxes:
- Store unopened box in a cool, dry pantry away from direct sunlight and heat.
- Once opened, keep cheese packet and dry pasta sealed tightly in original box.
- To prevent moisture from getting in, do not refrigerate opened mac and cheese.
- Keep tabs on expiration dates and use oldest boxes first.
- Do not freeze mac and cheese, as this can negatively affect texture.
Proper storage helps prevent the pasta from getting stale or the cheese powder from clumping before the expiration date.
Does Eating Expired Kraft Mac and Cheese Make You Sick?
Consuming Kraft mac and cheese a few months past its date is very unlikely to cause food poisoning or sickness. Here’s why:
- It’s low moisture and high sodium content make it inhospitable for dangerous bacteria growth.
- Any bacteria introduced after opening would take a very long time multiply to hazardous levels.
- Preservatives in the cheese powder also prevent bacterial growth and spoilage.
- Stale mac and cheese may taste unpleasant but is not inherently unsafe to eat.
The pasta and cheese powder simply dry out over time rather than growing dangerous toxins. However, if the food smells rotten or grows mold, it may bebest to discard it instead. Sickness is still unlikely but better to be safe.
Can Expired Mac and Cheese be Salvaged?
If your Kraft mac and cheese has passed its prime don’t toss it out just yet. There are ways you may be able to salvage and safely eat it:
- Smell and inspect it first. Any foul odors, visible mold, or slime means it’s time to throw it away.
- For stale dry pasta, you can rehydrate it in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
- To make the cheese sauce, add a bit of milk or cream to get a smoother consistency.
- Sprinkle extra spices and herbs to mask any old flavors.
- Use it up in a baked mac and cheese casserole topped with breadcrumbs or cheese.
While we don’t recommend eating mac and cheese years past its prime, you can freshen up slightly expired boxes with extra ingredients and use in cooked dishes.
The Bottom Line
So does Kraft mac and cheese expire? Yes, it does eventually expire and degrade in quality. However, it lasts significantly longer than the “best by” date if stored properly. Unopened boxes keep for over a year, and opened packages are still good for several months after opening. While expired mac and cheese may not taste as fresh, it’s unlikely to make you sick unless mold develops. With a few tweaks like adding milk and spices, you may be able to salvage and still enjoy mac and cheese that’s a bit past its prime. So you don’t necessarily have to toss out those Kraft mac and cheese boxes the second the date has passed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Kraft mac and cheese last so long?
Kraft mac and cheese has an extended shelf life because the dry pasta and cheese powder have very little moisture, preventing microbial growth. The added preservatives also help prevent spoilage. When kept sealed, the contents remain preserved for months or years.
Can old Kraft mac and cheese make your stomach hurt?
Eating very expired mac and cheese that has become moldy can cause stomach upset in some people. However, just being past the best by date will not inherently cause issues. The worst that is likely to happen is you experience some mild digestive discomfort from stale ingredients.
Is eating expired Kraft mac and cheese dangerous?
No, eating expired Kraft mac and cheese is generally not dangerous. While it may not taste very appealing past its prime, the shelf-stable ingredients do not usually harbor harmful toxins or bacteria. As long as it was stored properly and shows no signs of spoilage, it is unlikely expired mac and cheese will cause food poisoning.
How can you restore dried out Kraft mac and cheese?
If the macaroni pasta is dried out from sitting too long on the shelf, you can restore it by boiling the noodles in water for 5 to 10 minutes to rehydrate them. You can also add a splash of milk or cream to the cheese powder to get a smoother, creamier sauce if it has become clumpy. These tricks freshen up the texture.
Are the noodles or cheese packet the first to expire in mac and cheese?
The cheese powder packet will generally expire before the dry macaroni pasta in Kraft mac and cheese. The oils in the powdered cheese cause it to degrade in flavor sooner. The firm pasta can keep for years with less change in texture or taste. Always inspect the cheese powder first before consuming old mac and cheese.
In Conclusion
Kraft mac and cheese does gradually lose optimal flavor and texture past the printed best by date. However, thanks to its low moisture content and preservatives, it enjoys an impressively long shelf life of up to a year. With unopened boxes remaining fresh for over 6 months in the pantry after that date, you definitely don’t have to toss boxes the second the date is up. Even opened boxes keep for weeks or months. While very old mac and cheese may not taste great, it’s unlikely to become unsafe to eat as long as mold hasn’t developed. Storing Kraft mac and cheese properly and using your oldest boxes first are the best ways to maximize the shelf life. With a few tricks to restore dried out pasta and cheese sauce, you may even be able to salvage boxes that are expired. So contrary to what you may expect, that Kraft mac and cheese in your pantry has a good chance of still being perfectly edible even after it’s expiration date.
