Quick Summary
Swiss cheese, like most cheeses, is generally still safe to eat even after its expiration date has passed, as long as it has been stored properly and shows no signs of mold or spoilage. The biggest risk with expired Swiss cheese is texture and flavor defects rather than food safety issues. Hard cheeses like Swiss tend to have a longer shelf life than soft cheeses. Smelling and visually inspecting the cheese before eating can help determine if it is still good quality. Expired pre-sliced or shredded Swiss cheese will go bad more quickly than a solid block. As a general rule, unopened blocks of Swiss cheese can last 3-6 months past the printed expiration date if refrigerated. An opened package should be used within 1-2 weeks. Freezing Swiss cheese can extend its shelf life significantly.
What Happens When Swiss Cheese Expires?
The expiration date on Swiss cheese, as with most food products, is more of a guideline than a hard rule. It represents the date up to which the manufacturer guarantees the best quality and flavor. After this date, deterioration slowly begins but the cheese does not necessarily become unsafe to eat right away.
Swiss cheese is a hard cheese that has been aged, giving it a lower moisture content and higher acidity than soft fresh cheeses. This makes it less hospitable to harmful bacteria growth. As Swiss cheese ages past its prime, the first things you will notice are changes in texture and flavor:
Texture Changes
As Swiss cheese expires, its texture will become drier and more crumbly. The body may also become uneven, with tiny holes or cracks forming. Mold growth will change the texture to fuzzy or slimy.
Flavor Changes
The rich, nutty, slightly sweet flavor of Swiss cheese will dull and fade over time. Bitter, sour or “off” flavors may develop as the fats break down. If mold grows, it imparts musty or otherwise unpleasant tastes. The cheese may also smell stale or chemically.
While not as enjoyable, these changes do not necessarily make the cheese unsafe. You need to use your senses to determine if expired Swiss cheese is still good to eat.
How to Tell if Expired Swiss Cheese is Still Good
Here are some tips for evaluating if an expired block of Swiss cheese is still safe to eat:
Look
Visually inspect the cheese. There should be no signs of mold growth – fuzzy spots or dry black, blue or green areas. The surface should not look slimy or watery. There should not be any dark spots from bacteria growth. The color should be evenly pale yellow. Crystals along the cut surface are normal.
Smell
Swiss cheese should smell mildly nutty, not too sharp or ammonia-like. It should not smell moldy, spoiled, sour or stale. Any unpleasant or strong odors mean the cheese should be discarded.
Feel
The cheese should feel firm and sliceable, not soft, sticky or dried out. Press on the cheese with your finger – it should hold its shape and not dent deeply. The body should be smooth, not gritty or crumbly.
Taste
Take a small nibble of the cheese. It should taste mellow and buttery, without any bitterness, sourness or very strong flavors. Any bitterness or off-tastes mean it should not be eaten.
How Long Does Swiss Cheese Last After Expiring?
How long Swiss cheese lasts beyond its sell-by date depends on several factors:
Storage Method
Proper storage is key to maximizing Swiss cheese’s shelf life. An unopened block will keep significantly longer than an opened package. Reseal opened cheese tightly in plastic wrap or a storage bag. Keep all cheese refrigerated at 40°F or below. Higher temperature promotes faster bacteria growth.
Pre-Sliced vs. Block
Cheese stored in one solid block lasts longer than pre-sliced cheese. Each slice exposes more surface area to air and potential contaminants. Buy Swiss cheese in a block and slice it as needed.
Age at Time of Purchase
Fresher Swiss cheese will have a longer shelf life than cheese that was already aged for a longer time before purchase. Check the production date if available.
Type of Cheese
Natural Swiss cheese without any additives or preservatives will not keep as long as some processed varieties. Check the ingredients for additives that extend shelf life.
Exposure to Air
Once opened, rewrap Swiss cheese tightly. Exposure to air dries it out and introduces mold spores. Minimize contact with air to maximize shelf life.
Storage Conditions
Proper refrigerator temperature and minimal temperature fluctuations prolong shelf life. Store Swiss cheese in its original packaging until opened, then rewrap tightly. Keep away from foods with strong odors.
Signs of Spoilage
Discard Swiss cheese at the first signs of mold growth, sliminess, bitter/sour smell or very dry stiff texture. Safety overrides shelf life.
Guidelines for Refrigerated Swiss Cheese
As a general guideline, you can expect properly refrigerated Swiss cheese to remain good for approximately:
Unopened Block
3-6 weeks past the “best by” date.
Opened Block
1-2 weeks past the “best by’ date. Use within 5-7 days for optimum freshness.
Pre-Sliced Package
1 week past the “best by” date. Discard if drying out.
Shredded Cheese
3-5 days past the “best by” date.
Note that these times are not guaranteed. Certain signs of spoilage as outlined above override shelf life. Use your observation skills when evaluating aged Swiss cheese.
Does Freezing Extend Shelf Life?
Freezing is an excellent way to significantly extend the shelf life of Swiss cheese beyond its recommended best-by date. Properly frozen, it can keep 6 months or longer without compromising quality or safety.
To freeze Swiss cheese:
– Cut the cheese into slices or blocks for easy use. Grate if desired.
– Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, aluminum foil or a freezer bag. Exclude as much air as possible.
– Label package with name and date.
– Freeze at 0°F or below. Consistent temperature preserves quality better than fluctuations.
– Once thawed, use refrigerated Swiss cheese within 1 week. Do not refreeze.
Thawed Swiss cheese may have a slightly different texture but will be perfectly safe to eat. Freezing stops bacteria and mold growth very effectively.
What Are Signs of Spoiled Swiss Cheese?
While expired Swiss cheese may still be safe if it has been continuously refrigerated, cheese that has truly spoiled and may cause food poisoning will show distinct signs:
– Presence of black, blue, green or white mold. This may appear in spots or cover the entire block.
– Slimy or watery texture and appearance.
– Unpleasant sour, bitter, ammonia, fruity or yeasty smell.
– Change in color to grey, green or black.
– Dark spots from microbial growth.
– Dry, cracked texture with hard pockets or crystals.
– Wet or sticky surface, perhaps with liquid oozing.
Swiss cheese exhibiting any of these signs should be immediately discarded. Do not taste cheese that looks or smells abnormal. The toxins from bacteria or mold can cause illness even with a tiny amount.
What Makes Swiss Cheese Spoil Faster?
Certain conditions can accelerate the spoilage of Swiss cheese:
– Exposure to air: Repeated opening of package or improperly rewrapping allows oxygen to support more microbial growth. Minimize air contact.
– Temperature fluctuations: Heat accelerates chemical reactions and bacteria growth. Store consistently at 40° F or below.
– Age of cheese: The older cheese is when purchased, the less time it will keep. Check production dates.
– Physical damage: Cracks, holes or excessive handling introduce contamination. Keep cheese intact.
– Moisture: Softer cheeses with higher moisture levels spoil faster. Swiss cheese has low moisture.
– Contaminants: Storage next to foods with strong odors or microbial growth can cross-contaminate.
– Improper food handling: Dirty utensils, unsanitary conditions and failure to wash hands can introduce unwanted bacteria. Follow good food safety practices.
– Opening too far in advance: After opening Swiss cheese, consume within 1-2 weeks. Don’t open too far ahead.
– Poor packaging: Poor quality wrap or improper sealing after opening cheese allows dehydration and mold growth. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or storage bag with no air trapped inside.
Can You Get Food Poisoning from Expired Swiss Cheese?
It is uncommon to get food poisoning directly from eating expired Swiss cheese alone, if it has been continuously refrigerated below 40°F. Hard cheeses like Swiss are not a hospitable environment for most foodborne pathogens to grow and multiply, due to their low moisture and high acidity.
However, certain dangerous bacteria like Listeria, Brucella, Salmonella and E. Coli can grow on cheese. Contamination is more likely from improper handling, storage and unsanitary production conditions than eating properly aged cheese.
Those at higher risk for illness should avoid moldy, expired or damaged cheese. This includes young children, elderly, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy adults are unlikely to get sick from eating over the hill but not spoiled Swiss cheese.
That said, mold itself can produce mycotoxins that cause illness. Cheese heavily contaminated with visible mold should be discarded. With extensive fungal growth, even a small amount of cheese can make someone sick. Know the signs of spoiled cheese and when to throw it out.
Tips for Safely Consuming Expired Cheese
Here are some recommendations for safely consuming Swiss cheese past its prime:
– Check the cheese carefully for signs of spoilage like mold, sliminess or bad aroma. Never taste cheese that looks or smells bad.
– Cut off outer layer: Mold can penetrate 1/4-1/2 inch below cheese surface. Cut this away before eating expired cheese with surface mold.
– Avoid Cross-Contamination: When cutting cheese, don’t allow the knife to touch surfaces that may contaminate it with bacteria, like raw meat.
– Cook thoroughly: Heating cheese to over 165°F kills most pathogens. Use expired cheese in cooked foods rather than eating raw.
– Take small bites: If taste is off, you limit exposure by starting with just a bite or two.
– Watch for symptoms: Discard any remaining cheese at first sign of illness or allergic reaction. Seek medical care if severe.
– Use your nose: Rely on smell as well as sight to detect spoilage. Even a small spot of mold can give off distinct aromas.
– When in doubt, throw it out: If there is any uncertainty about cheese safety, it is not worth getting sick. Be proactive about discarding expired dairy.
Best Practice for Maximizing Shelf Life
To safely prolong the shelf life of Swiss cheese:
– Purchase cheese fridge-cold from a reputable seller with good stock rotation and hygienic practices. Check for signs of mold before buying. Select packaged cheese that feels firm and looks freshly cut.
– Avoid pre-grated, sliced or shredded cheese. Cut from a block as needed.
– Check production or pack date and buy the freshest option.
– Keep refrigerated below 40°F immediately after purchase and throughout storage. Use within 5 days of purchase for best quality.
– Keep cheese tightly wrapped at all times. Rewrap immediately after use with minimal air exposure. Plastic wrap or storage bags work well for wrapping.
– Wipe down wrapper or bag with a clean cloth or paper towel before opening to prevent cross-contamination.
– Keep storage conditions consistent. Avoid temperature fluctuations that accelerate deterioration.
– Store cheese separately from strong smelling foods like onions that can impart odors.
– Clean utensils and cutting boards before handling cheese to prevent cross-contamination.
– Consume refrigerated cheese within recommended time frames: block cheese within 3-6 weeks and sliced within 1 week.
– Check cheese visually, by feel and smell before eating. Monitor for any signs of mold, sliminess or off-odors. When in doubt, throw it out.
Following proper storage methods and using your senses to evaluate quality will allow you to safely enjoy delicious Swiss cheese past its prime date. Just be alert to potential spoilage. With hard cheeses, shelf life can extend well beyond the printed date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Swiss cheese be frozen?
Yes, freezing extends the shelf life of Swiss cheese. It keeps frozen for 6 months or longer without losing quality or safety. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before use.
Can moldy cheese make you sick?
Yes, visible mold growth on cheese can contain harmful mycotoxins that cause illness even in tiny doses. Discard moldy cheese.
How can you tell if Swiss cheese has gone bad?
Signs that Swiss cheese has spoiled include mold, slimy texture, foul or bitter smell, change in color, dry pockets, and very firm texture.
Does expired Swiss cheese taste different?
As Swiss cheese ages past its prime, the flavor becomes progressively sharper, bitter, dull and less sweet. The texture also becomes dry and crumbly over time.
Can I eat Swiss cheese that smells bad but has no mold?
No, spoiled cheese gives off distinct ammonia, fruity or sour smells even if visibly mold-free. Do not eat Swiss cheese with an unpleasant or strong odor.
The Bottom Line
While Swiss cheese can maintain acceptable flavor and texture well past the printed date, rely on visual and smell clues to determine if it is still safe to eat. Be proactive about discarding cheese at the first signs of spoilage. When stored properly in the refrigerator, unopened blocks generally last 3-6 weeks past the best-by date, opened packages 1-2 weeks. Freezing can extend shelf life significantly. With hard cheeses like Swiss, using your senses is better than relying on dates alone to maximize enjoyment while avoiding foodborne illness.
