10 Foods You Must Never Eat Past the Expiration Date

6. Jarred Condiments

Risk	Why
Bacterial exposure	Tends to have more exposure to bacteria; can lead to foodborne illness
Signs of spoilage	Water floating on top, discoloration, or weird smells

Safety tip: Discard immediately if you notice any signs of spoilage. Disinfect areas they may have splashed on during opening.

7. Cold-Pressed Juice

Risk	Why
No pasteurization	Unlike typical processed juices, cold-pressed juices are not pasteurized
Bacterial contamination	Much more prone to bacteria contamination

Safety tip: Consume cold-pressed juices quickly and never past their expiration date.

8. Shellfish

Risk	Why
Bacteria	Like other seafood, raw shellfish can only last 1–2 days in the fridge
Signs of spoilage	Strange color or unusual odor

Safety tip: If you notice any strange color or odor, throw it out immediately.

9. Potato Salad (and Egg Salads)

Risk	Why
Bacterial growth	Similar to jarred spreads, potato and egg salads are more susceptible to bacteria
Why they are risky	Taking a few scoops at a time from the container introduces more bacteria, increasing the risk of contamination

Safety tip: Discard potato and egg salads past their expiration date and avoid leaving them out at room temperature for extended periods.

10. Fresh Berries

Risk	Why
Short lifespan	Raspberries and strawberries are only good for about three days after purchase
Blueberries	Can last a few days longer in the fridge

Safety tip: Freeze berries that you will not be eating anytime soon.

Quick Reference: Expired Foods to Avoid

Food	Key Risk	Shelf Life	Action
Leafy greens	E. coli, bacteria	By posted date	Discard after date
Ground meat	Bacterial growth	2 days	Freeze if not using
Deli meat	Listeria	By posted date	Never eat past date
Soft cheese	Bacteria, mold	Short shelf life	Discard past date
Fish	Bacterial growth	1–2 days	Freeze if not using
Jarred condiments	Bacterial exposure	By posted date	Discard if signs of spoilage
Cold-pressed juice	No pasteurization	By posted date	Consume quickly
Shellfish	Bacterial growth	1–2 days	Discard if off color/odor
Potato salad	Bacterial growth	By posted date	Discard past date
Fresh berries	Short lifespan	3–5 days	Freeze if not eating soon

Final Thoughts

Food safety is not something to guess about. While some foods are perfectly fine past their “best by” dates, others can become dangerous. The foods listed above are particularly risky due to their susceptibility to bacterial growth.

Do	Don’t
Check expiration dates regularly	Assume all foods are safe past their dates
Freeze items you will not use in time	Leave perishable foods at room temperature
Trust your senses—if it looks or smells off, throw it out	Eat anything that seems spoiled
Clean surfaces that come into contact with expired food	Risk food poisoning by eating questionable items