There is a reason why people do not prefer eating an food that is past its ‘use-by’ date, even if it looks and smells okay as consuming food beyond its date of expiration can lead to food poisoning or other potential health risks.
Packaged foods may pose less risk if consumed a short time after their expiration date, dairy products and canned meat, on the other hand, can become hazardous relatively quickly after expiration.
So what happens if foods are consumed beyond the date of expiration?
1) Food poisoning
Expired food may contain bacteria which can cause foodborne illnesses. Symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and in severe cases, dehydration and organ damage.
2) Develop toxicity
Consuming expired food that has developed mold can lead to mold toxicity, which can cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems, headaches, and in severe cases, neurological symptoms.
3) Meals spoilage
Expired food may change taste, texture, colour, and smell, indicating spoilage. While not necessarily harmful, spoiled food may cause discomfort or gastrointestinal issues.
4) Harmful chemicals
Certain foods, especially canned goods, may contain harmful chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) or phthalates, which can leach into the food over time. Consuming expired canned goods may increase the risk of exposure to these chemicals.
In a nutshell, consuming expired food increases the risk of ingesting harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, or Listeria, which can lead to various troublesome health consequences.
