🕷️ Crawler Inspector

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Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 199 (from laksa067)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa199.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://parade.com/health/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://parade.com/health/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/parade.com\/health\/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food","crawl_time":1775870336,"first_indexed_time":1714891085,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,parade!\/health\/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food s443","src_root_hash":"775817337250875599","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"What Happens if You Eat 'Expired' Food? - Parade","meta_descriptions":["Is eating expired food bad? When does food expire? Food experts weighed in, including on what the date on the package really means."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Picture this: You’re hankering for an afternoon snack, and find an old bag of\nchips\nthat look good enough. After eating a few handfuls, you happen to look at the package and realize it expired 12 weeks ago. Oops. Now what? What happens if you eat expired food? Is eating\nexpired food\nbad? \nFun fact: “Food does not expire,” says \nMitzi Baum,\nthe chief executive officer at\nStop Foodborne Illness\n. “Food can spoil and become unsafe, but it doesn’t expire.”\nLooking at the\nUSDA website\n, you’ll see the statement: “Many dates on foods refer to quality, not safety.” Baum says a notable exception is\nbaby food\n, which does expire.\nIf you’re reading this, baby food likely isn’t on your menu. So, at what point does eating food after the date listed on the package become unsafe for an adult? Experts explained.\nRelated:\nIs It 100% Safe To Drink Tap Water? Here’s the Truth\nTable of Contents\nWhat Happens if You Eat 'Expired' Food\nHow To Tell if Food Is Spoiled or Unsafe To Eat\nIs It Okay To Eat Food After It Has Expired?\nFood Safety Guidelines To Prevent Foodborne Illnesses\n1. Nothing\nThe chances are that you’ll be OK if you consume food that’s technically past its expiration date. That’s because it’s not an expiration date. \n“A ‘best if used by,’ ‘better if used by’ or ‘BIUB’ date refers to the date by which the food producer suggests you eat or use the product to optimize taste or appearance,” says\nJason Levee, RD,\na registered dietitian with\nWhole Family Health\n. “Quality can diminish over time without affecting food safety. A sell-by date is for inventory management for food retailers and has no direct bearing on food safety.”\nWhich is why you’ll probably be just fine. “If an individual eats a food that is past its quality date—or best-by, consume-by or tastiest-by date—typically nothing will happen,” Baum says. “If it doesn’t taste fresh or has an off-putting odor, most individuals will naturally decide not to consume it and throw it out.”\n😋😋\nSIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Parade Eats newsletter\n. 🍳🍔\n2. You’ll Get a Tummy Ache\nSometimes, you may experience a stomach ache with other unpleasant side effects like vomiting and diarrhea. “Often our body knows that it is not good, so [you] will vomit in order to get every part of it out of your system,” Levee says. \nDitto for diarrhea: Levee says that GI irritation can also trigger the runs. \n3. You’ll Consume Fewer Nutrients\nFood provides vital nutrients that help keep our bodies functioning well. A lower nutritional value may be part of the quality decline.\n“Food labeling regulations state nutritional value must be maintained during the shelf life of products,” says \nJill Stuber\n, a food safety consultant and coach at Catalyst LLC. “Therefore, consuming expired products may simply mean the consumer will receive less nutrients from the food than they thought were present.”\nThat doesn’t mean you can’t eat it. You just may not be getting the vitamins, minerals or\nprotein\nyou were hoping for from the dish.\nRelated:\nAllergies Might Be To Blame for Your Upset Stomach—Here’s How To Know, and What To Do About It\n4. You’ll Feel Less Satisfied\nBesides nutrients, food is a sensory experience—the taste and smell, in particular. Stuber says that the lower quality after the “best-by” date may leave you feeling disappointed. Think stale chips or cookies that simply don’t taste the same.\n“The chips may not be as crispy, the crackers may be a little stale and the seasonings will likely not be as potent,” Baum says. “However, it will not harm you.”\n5. You’ll Deal With Dehydration\nThis one is a byproduct of the stomachache you may have gotten from eating food after the date on the package. “Vomiting and diarrhea can lead to high levels of fluid loss, which can be hazardous to your health,” Stuber says. “Severe\ndehydration\nmay lead to hospitalization.”\n6. You’ll Contract an Illness Like E. Coli or Salmonella\nThis potential side effect of eating “expired” food—or food that’s spoiled—is one of the more severe. “For products past expiration dates, namely perishable products, there is a risk that harmful bacteria has grown to levels that can make consumers sick,” Stuber says.\nSymptoms of foodborne illness include the aforementioned\nnausea\n, vomiting and diarrhea.\nRelated:\nGood Question: How Long Are Eggs Good After the Expiration Date?\nHow To Tell if Food Is Spoiled or Unsafe To Eat\nPhoto by RyanKing999\/Canva\nWe know expiration dates don’t actually mean all that much. If that’s the case, how can we tell if food is no longer safe to eat? “Not all spoilage is easily visible, like mold on bread or slimy\nlettuce\n, so at times, people may consume products that have had microbial growth,” Stuber says. \nBecause spoiled food can make you sick, smell is a great indicator that something isn’t safe to eat. If something smells “off” to you—think that sour smell when milk has gone bad—it’s probably not a good idea to consume it. \nRelated:\nI’m Not Pregnant or Hungover—So Why Am I Nauseous?\nIs It Okay To Eat Food After It Has Expired?\nOne more time, for the people in the back: “Food does not expire,” Baum says. “The only food product in the United States that has a regulated expiration date is baby food. The date on all other packaged foods denotes that the quality of a product may be depleted.”\nOK, but what happens when you consume food after the best-by date? Is it bad? Not necessarily. “Eating a shelf-stable food such as crackers, chips and seasonings past a quality date is OK,” Baum says. \nThey may not taste as good, but Baum says that it’s not possible to determine the precise date a food goes from safe to unsafe. The freeze-by date is another one to pay attention to, though. \n“The freeze-by date on proteins is there to assist the consumer with preserving the product,” Baum says. “By freezing the protein, it reduces the incidence of spoilage organisms growing and causing the product to ‘go bad’ and stops harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illness from growing.”\nRelated:\nHere Are the 18 Best Foods To Eat When You’re Nauseous\nFood Safety Guidelines To Prevent Foodborne Illnesses\nPhoto by John Kevin from Getty Images\/Canva\nWhile most food doesn’t expire, consumers can still follow some basic safety rules to ensure their meal hits all the right notes. Baum says these rules include:\nPurchasing food from a reputable source.\nKeeping your refrigerator and freezer at the recommended temperatures: 40 degrees F for a fridge and 0 degrees F or below for a freezer.\nSeparating raw proteins like meat, poultry and seafood from fresh, ready-to-eat foods like produce.\nWash your hands with soap and water after handling raw proteins.\nUse different utensils for raw proteins and ready-to-eat foods.\nCook raw proteins to the recommended internal temperature and check them with a meat thermometer before serving.\nSome people may take extra precautions when considering whether or not to consume food after the date on the package. “Many immune-compromised individuals, such as pregnant people or individuals with a chronic medical condition, choose not to consume foods after the quality date on the label as a preventive measure,” Baum says.\nStuber suggests using the\nFoodKeeper app\nfor insights on proper storage and package dates.\nSources\nMitzi Baum, the chief executive officer at\nStop Foodborne Illness\n.\nBefore You Toss Food, Wait. Check It Out! \nUSDA\n.\nJason Levee, RD, a registered dietitian with\nWhole Family Health\n.\nJill Stuber, a food safety consultant and coach at Catalyst LLC.\nAbout the author\nBeth Ann Mayer is a health and lifestyle writer. For more than a decade, she has specialized in providing fact-based insights on a range of health and lifestyle topics—including physical and mental health, relationships, pets, food, sports and entertainment—to help inspire people to live their best and most informed lives.","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to main content](https:\/\/parade.com\/health\/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food#main-content)\n\nAmerica's Favorite Small Towns 2026\n\n[Find out more about our 40 finalists\\!](https:\/\/americasfavoritesmalltowns.parade.com\/)\n\nNewsletter\n\nSign in\n\n[![](https:\/\/parade.com\/.image\/ODowMDAwMDAwMDAwNTQxODg0\/parade-header.svg?io=1&profile=w256)](https:\/\/parade.com\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/parade.com\/.image\/ODowMDAwMDAwMDAwNTQxODg0\/parade-header.svg?io=1&profile=w256)](https:\/\/parade.com\/)\n\n- [News](https:\/\/parade.com\/news\/)\n- [Entertainment](https:\/\/parade.com\/entertainment\/)\n  Entertainment\n  \n  [All 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[Health & Wellness](https:\/\/parade.com\/health\/)\n\n# Wait—What Happens if You Eat Expired Food?\nThis one goes out to anyone who tends to ignore that ‘sell-by’ date.\n\nFeb 23, 2026 9:30 PM EST\n\n![](https:\/\/parade.com\/.image\/MTkyNjg1Njc4NTYyMTI0ODI5\/mayer-headshot.jpg?io=1&profile=w256&ar=1-1)\n\nBy [Beth Ann Mayer](https:\/\/parade.com\/author\/beth-ann-mayer)\n\nHealth and Lifestyle Writer, Parade\n\n0\n\n[Add us on](https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=parade.com)\n\n![Food with 'best before' label](https:\/\/parade.com\/.image\/MjA2MTc2NzI1OTYzMzgzOTA3\/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food.jpg?io=1&profile=w2560&ar=4-3)\n\nFood with 'best before' labeliStock\n\nRelated Articles\n\n[View post: 1972 Career-Defining Classic Named No. 1 Hit Song Became a Timeless Anthem](https:\/\/parade.com\/news\/1972-career-defining-classic-named-no-1-hit-song-became-a-timeless-anthem)![](https:\/\/parade.com\/.image\/ODowMDAwMDAwMDAxODY1ODQ3\/screenshot-2026-04-10-at-8-44-49-pm.png?io=1&profile=w256&ar=1-1)\n\nNews\n\n[1972 Career-Defining Classic Named No. 1 Hit Song Became a Timeless Anthem](https:\/\/parade.com\/news\/1972-career-defining-classic-named-no-1-hit-song-became-a-timeless-anthem)\n\nNina Derwin\n\n11 minutes ago\n\n[View post: Walmart’s ‘Adorable’ 5-Pack Plant Stand Set Is a Game-Changer for Plant Owners, and It’s Just \\$23](https:\/\/parade.com\/shopping\/walmart-merryhome-metal-plant-stand-flash-sale)![](https:\/\/parade.com\/.image\/ODowMDAwMDAwMDAwNzU1MTY1\/walmart-logo.jpg?io=1&profile=w256&ar=1-1&x=45&y=50)\n\nShopping, Deals & Freebies\n\n[Walmart’s ‘Adorable’ 5-Pack Plant Stand Set Is a Game-Changer for Plant Owners, and It’s Just \\$23](https:\/\/parade.com\/shopping\/walmart-merryhome-metal-plant-stand-flash-sale)\n\nOlivia Bria\n\n34 minutes ago\n\n[View post: Cosmopolitan Names The Romantasy Nora Ephron Fans Will Love: 'You've Got Mail' Meets Mythology'](https:\/\/parade.com\/news\/cosmopolitan-names-divine-rivals-romantasy-nora-ephron-fans-will-love)![](https:\/\/parade.com\/.image\/ODowMDAwMDAwMDAxODY1ODMx\/united-states-december-10-meg-ryan-arrives-for-the-premiere-of-youve-got-mail-she-stars-in-the-film-photo-by-richard-corkeryny-daily-news-archive-via-getty-images-stockpack-gettyimages.jpg?io=1&profile=w256&ar=1-1)\n\nNews\n\n[Cosmopolitan Names The Romantasy Nora Ephron Fans Will Love: 'You've Got Mail' Meets Mythology'](https:\/\/parade.com\/news\/cosmopolitan-names-divine-rivals-romantasy-nora-ephron-fans-will-love)\n\nMeredith Gordon\n\n36 minutes ago\n\n[View post: Heather Locklear, 64, Is Reportedly Dating A Well-Known '90s Heartthrob, 68](https:\/\/parade.com\/news\/heather-locklear-64-is-reportedly-dating-lorenzo-lamas-68)![](https:\/\/parade.com\/.image\/ODowMDAwMDAwMDAxODY1NzQy\/1993-american-actress-heather-locklear-photo-by-bsr-agencygentle-look-via-getty-images-stockpack-gettyimages.jpg?io=1&profile=w256&ar=1-1)\n\nNews\n\n[Heather Locklear, 64, Is Reportedly Dating A Well-Known '90s Heartthrob, 68](https:\/\/parade.com\/news\/heather-locklear-64-is-reportedly-dating-lorenzo-lamas-68)\n\nSheri Reed\n\n1 hour ago\n\nPicture this: You’re hankering for an afternoon snack, and find an old bag of [chips](https:\/\/parade.com\/food\/types-of-chips) that look good enough. After eating a few handfuls, you happen to look at the package and realize it expired 12 weeks ago. Oops. Now what? What happens if you eat expired food? Is eating [expired food](https:\/\/parade.com\/food\/how-long-are-eggs-good-after-expiration-date) bad?\n\nFun fact: “Food does not expire,” says **Mitzi Baum,** the chief executive officer at [Stop Foodborne Illness](https:\/\/stopfoodborneillness.org\/). “Food can spoil and become unsafe, but it doesn’t expire.”\n\nLooking at the [USDA website](https:\/\/www.usda.gov\/media\/blog\/2013\/06\/27\/you-toss-food-wait-check-it-out), you’ll see the statement: “Many dates on foods refer to quality, not safety.” Baum says a notable exception is [baby food](https:\/\/parade.com\/food\/tippy-toes-baby-food-recall-february-2026), which does expire.\n\nIf you’re reading this, baby food likely isn’t on your menu. So, at what point does eating food after the date listed on the package become unsafe for an adult? Experts explained.\n\n**Related: [Is It 100% Safe To Drink Tap Water? Here’s the Truth](https:\/\/parade.com\/health\/is-it-ok-to-drink-tap-water)**\n\n## Table of Contents\n1. [What Happens if You Eat 'Expired' Food](https:\/\/parade.com\/health\/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food#what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food)\n2. [How To Tell if Food Is Spoiled or Unsafe To Eat](https:\/\/parade.com\/health\/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food#how-to-tell-if-food-is-spoiled-or-unsafe-to-eat)\n3. [Is It Okay To Eat Food After It Has Expired?](https:\/\/parade.com\/health\/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food#is-it-okay-to-eat-food-after-it-has-expired)\n4. [Food Safety Guidelines To Prevent Foodborne Illnesses](https:\/\/parade.com\/health\/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food#food-safety-guidelines-to-prevent-foodborne-illnesses)\n## What Happens if You Eat ‘Expired’ Food\n### 1\\. Nothing\nThe chances are that you’ll be OK if you consume food that’s technically past its expiration date. That’s because it’s not an expiration date.\n\n“A ‘best if used by,’ ‘better if used by’ or ‘BIUB’ date refers to the date by which the food producer suggests you eat or use the product to optimize taste or appearance,” says **Jason Levee, RD,** a registered dietitian with [Whole Family Health](https:\/\/wholefamilyhealth.co\/). “Quality can diminish over time without affecting food safety. A sell-by date is for inventory management for food retailers and has no direct bearing on food safety.”\n\nWhich is why you’ll probably be just fine. “If an individual eats a food that is past its quality date—or best-by, consume-by or tastiest-by date—typically nothing will happen,” Baum says. “If it doesn’t taste fresh or has an off-putting odor, most individuals will naturally decide not to consume it and throw it out.”\n\n😋😋 **[SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Parade Eats newsletter](https:\/\/parade.com\/newsletters\/pop-kitchen?utm_source=article&utm_medium=middle)**. 🍳🍔\n\n### 2\\. You’ll Get a Tummy Ache\nSometimes, you may experience a stomach ache with other unpleasant side effects like vomiting and diarrhea. “Often our body knows that it is not good, so \\[you\\] will vomit in order to get every part of it out of your system,” Levee says.\n\nDitto for diarrhea: Levee says that GI irritation can also trigger the runs.\n\n### 3\\. You’ll Consume Fewer Nutrients\nFood provides vital nutrients that help keep our bodies functioning well. A lower nutritional value may be part of the quality decline.\n\n“Food labeling regulations state nutritional value must be maintained during the shelf life of products,” says **Jill Stuber**, a food safety consultant and coach at Catalyst LLC. “Therefore, consuming expired products may simply mean the consumer will receive less nutrients from the food than they thought were present.”\n\nThat doesn’t mean you can’t eat it. You just may not be getting the vitamins, minerals or [protein](https:\/\/parade.com\/1099736\/ashleylauretta\/can-you-eat-too-much-protein\/) you were hoping for from the dish.\n\n**Related: [Allergies Might Be To Blame for Your Upset Stomach—Here’s How To Know, and What To Do About It](https:\/\/parade.com\/health\/can-allergies-make-you-feel-sick)**\n\n### 4\\. You’ll Feel Less Satisfied\nBesides nutrients, food is a sensory experience—the taste and smell, in particular. Stuber says that the lower quality after the “best-by” date may leave you feeling disappointed. Think stale chips or cookies that simply don’t taste the same.\n\n“The chips may not be as crispy, the crackers may be a little stale and the seasonings will likely not be as potent,” Baum says. “However, it will not harm you.”\n\n### 5\\. You’ll Deal With Dehydration\nThis one is a byproduct of the stomachache you may have gotten from eating food after the date on the package. “Vomiting and diarrhea can lead to high levels of fluid loss, which can be hazardous to your health,” Stuber says. “Severe [dehydration](https:\/\/parade.com\/581320\/tamrabolton\/signs-symptoms-dehydration\/) may lead to hospitalization.”\n\n### 6\\. You’ll Contract an Illness Like E. Coli or Salmonella\nThis potential side effect of eating “expired” food—or food that’s spoiled—is one of the more severe. “For products past expiration dates, namely perishable products, there is a risk that harmful bacteria has grown to levels that can make consumers sick,” Stuber says.\n\nSymptoms of foodborne illness include the aforementioned [nausea](https:\/\/parade.com\/1226052\/kaitlin-vogel\/what-to-eat-when-nauseous\/), vomiting and diarrhea.\n\n**Related: [Good Question: How Long Are Eggs Good After the Expiration Date?](https:\/\/parade.com\/food\/how-long-are-eggs-good-after-expiration-date)**\n\n## How To Tell if Food Is Spoiled or Unsafe To Eat\n![Woman throwing out expired food from her refrigerator](https:\/\/parade.com\/.image\/ODowMDAwMDAwMDAwOTU0MTgx\/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food-safety.jpg?io=1&profile=w2560&x=0&y=0)\n\nPhoto by RyanKing999\/Canva\n\nWe know expiration dates don’t actually mean all that much. If that’s the case, how can we tell if food is no longer safe to eat? “Not all spoilage is easily visible, like mold on bread or slimy [lettuce](https:\/\/parade.com\/health\/is-iceberg-lettuce-good-for-you-according-to-registered-dietitians), so at times, people may consume products that have had microbial growth,” Stuber says.\n\nBecause spoiled food can make you sick, smell is a great indicator that something isn’t safe to eat. If something smells “off” to you—think that sour smell when milk has gone bad—it’s probably not a good idea to consume it.\n\n**Related: [I’m Not Pregnant or Hungover—So Why Am I Nauseous?](https:\/\/parade.com\/889608\/krissybrady\/why-am-i-nauseous\/)**\n\n## Is It Okay To Eat Food After It Has Expired?\nOne more time, for the people in the back: “Food does not expire,” Baum says. “The only food product in the United States that has a regulated expiration date is baby food. The date on all other packaged foods denotes that the quality of a product may be depleted.”\n\nOK, but what happens when you consume food after the best-by date? Is it bad? Not necessarily. “Eating a shelf-stable food such as crackers, chips and seasonings past a quality date is OK,” Baum says.\n\nThey may not taste as good, but Baum says that it’s not possible to determine the precise date a food goes from safe to unsafe. The freeze-by date is another one to pay attention to, though.\n\n“The freeze-by date on proteins is there to assist the consumer with preserving the product,” Baum says. “By freezing the protein, it reduces the incidence of spoilage organisms growing and causing the product to ‘go bad’ and stops harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illness from growing.”\n\n**Related: [Here Are the 18 Best Foods To Eat When You’re Nauseous](https:\/\/parade.com\/1226052\/kaitlin-vogel\/what-to-eat-when-nauseous\/)**\n\n## Food Safety Guidelines To Prevent Foodborne Illnesses\n![The words \"food safety\" written with wooden blocks on a blue background](https:\/\/parade.com\/.image\/ODowMDAwMDAwMDAwOTU0MTkz\/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food-safety-guidelines.jpg?io=1&profile=w2560&x=0&y=0)\n\nPhoto by John Kevin from Getty Images\/Canva\n\nWhile most food doesn’t expire, consumers can still follow some basic safety rules to ensure their meal hits all the right notes. Baum says these rules include:\n\n- Purchasing food from a reputable source.\n- Keeping your refrigerator and freezer at the recommended temperatures: 40 degrees F for a fridge and 0 degrees F or below for a freezer.\n- Separating raw proteins like meat, poultry and seafood from fresh, ready-to-eat foods like produce.\n- Wash your hands with soap and water after handling raw proteins.\n- Use different utensils for raw proteins and ready-to-eat foods.\n- Cook raw proteins to the recommended internal temperature and check them with a meat thermometer before serving.\n\nSome people may take extra precautions when considering whether or not to consume food after the date on the package. “Many immune-compromised individuals, such as pregnant people or individuals with a chronic medical condition, choose not to consume foods after the quality date on the label as a preventive measure,” Baum says.\n\nStuber suggests using the [FoodKeeper app](https:\/\/www.foodsafety.gov\/keep-food-safe\/foodkeeper-app) for insights on proper storage and package dates.\n\n### Sources\n- Mitzi Baum, the chief executive officer at [Stop Foodborne Illness](https:\/\/stopfoodborneillness.org\/).\n- Before You Toss Food, Wait. Check It Out! *[USDA](https:\/\/www.usda.gov\/media\/blog\/2013\/06\/27\/you-toss-food-wait-check-it-out)*.\n- Jason Levee, RD, a registered dietitian with [Whole Family Health](https:\/\/wholefamilyhealth.co\/).\n- Jill Stuber, a food safety consultant and coach at Catalyst LLC.\n\n[View post: Is It Normal To Be Nauseous Every Day? Here's What Experts Say](https:\/\/parade.com\/health\/is-it-normal-to-feel-nauseous-every-day)![](https:\/\/parade.com\/.image\/MjA0NTEyMDU0MzUzMDc3NTYz\/is-it-normal-to-feel-nauseous-every-day.jpg?io=1&profile=w2560&ar=1-1)\n\nHealth & Wellness\n\n[Is It Normal To Be Nauseous Every Day? Here's What Experts Say](https:\/\/parade.com\/health\/is-it-normal-to-feel-nauseous-every-day)\n\nDoctors share their tips on what to do when nausea hits and when to see a doctor.\n\nEmily Laurence Sardinha\n\n## About the author\n![](https:\/\/parade.com\/.image\/MTkyNjg1Njc4NTYyMTI0ODI5\/mayer-headshot.jpg?io=1&profile=w256&ar=1-1)\n\n## [Beth Ann Mayer](https:\/\/parade.com\/author\/beth-ann-mayer)\nHealth and Lifestyle Writer, Parade\n\nBeth Ann Mayer is a health and lifestyle writer. For more than a decade, she has specialized in providing fact-based insights on a range of health and lifestyle topics—including physical and mental health, relationships, pets, food, sports and entertainment—to help inspire people to live their best and most informed lives.\n\nStart the Conversation\n\nTrending Stories\n\n01\n\nHealth & Wellness\n\n[Here’s Exactly What Happens to Your Blood Pressure When You Eat Lentils](https:\/\/parade.com\/health\/what-happens-to-blood-pressure-when-you-eat-lentils)\n\nEmily Laurence Sardinha\n\n10 hours ago\n\n02\n\nHealth & Wellness\n\n[The Strange GLP-1 Side Effect Plaguing Patients Months After Starting](https:\/\/parade.com\/health\/glp-1-side-effect-that-may-occur-months-after-starting)\n\nBeth Ann Mayer\n\nApril 9, 2026\n\n03\n\nHealth & Wellness\n\n[People Are Divided After Wife Plays 'Dark' Prank on Paramedic Husband](https:\/\/parade.com\/health\/tiktok-paramedic-husband-heart-attack-prank)\n\nLauren Gordon\n\nApril 9, 2026\n\n04\n\nHealth & Wellness\n\n[‘I’m a Longevity Expert—Add These 3 (Delicious) Foods to Your Diet if You Want To Live Longer](https:\/\/parade.com\/health\/foods-to-add-to-diet-for-longer-life-according-to-longevity-experts)\n\nEmily Laurence Sardinha\n\nApril 9, 2026\n\n[![](https:\/\/parade.com\/.image\/ODowMDAwMDAwMDAwNTQxODgz\/parade-footer.svg?io=1&profile=w256)](https:\/\/parade.com\/)\n***\n- [Entertainment](https:\/\/parade.com\/entertainment\/)\n  Entertainment\n  - 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[Taylor Swift](https:\/\/parade.com\/tag\/taylor-swift\/)\n***\n- [Sitemap](https:\/\/parade.com\/sitemap)\n- [About Parade](https:\/\/parade.com\/about-us)\n- [About Parade Health](https:\/\/parade.com\/about-parade-health)\n- [Editorial Policy](https:\/\/parade.com\/editorial-policy)\n- [Advertise With Us](mailto:paradesales@thearenagroup.net)\n- [Contact Us](https:\/\/thearenagroup.net\/our-brands\/parade\/)\n- [Licensing Request](https:\/\/info.wrightsmedia.com\/the-arena-group-licensing)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/thearenagroup.net\/privacy-policy\/)\n- [Terms of Use](https:\/\/thearenagroup.net\/terms-of-use\/)\n\n© 2026 The Arena Media Brands, LLC PARADE is a registered trademark of Athlon Sports Communications, Inc.","attrs_readable_markdown":"Picture this: You’re hankering for an afternoon snack, and find an old bag of [chips](https:\/\/parade.com\/food\/types-of-chips) that look good enough. After eating a few handfuls, you happen to look at the package and realize it expired 12 weeks ago. Oops. Now what? What happens if you eat expired food? Is eating [expired food](https:\/\/parade.com\/food\/how-long-are-eggs-good-after-expiration-date) bad?\n\nFun fact: “Food does not expire,” says **Mitzi Baum,** the chief executive officer at [Stop Foodborne Illness](https:\/\/stopfoodborneillness.org\/). “Food can spoil and become unsafe, but it doesn’t expire.”\n\nLooking at the [USDA website](https:\/\/www.usda.gov\/media\/blog\/2013\/06\/27\/you-toss-food-wait-check-it-out), you’ll see the statement: “Many dates on foods refer to quality, not safety.” Baum says a notable exception is [baby food](https:\/\/parade.com\/food\/tippy-toes-baby-food-recall-february-2026), which does expire.\n\nIf you’re reading this, baby food likely isn’t on your menu. So, at what point does eating food after the date listed on the package become unsafe for an adult? Experts explained.\n\n**Related: [Is It 100% Safe To Drink Tap Water? Here’s the Truth](https:\/\/parade.com\/health\/is-it-ok-to-drink-tap-water)**\n\n## Table of Contents\n1. [What Happens if You Eat 'Expired' Food](https:\/\/parade.com\/health\/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food#what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food)\n2. [How To Tell if Food Is Spoiled or Unsafe To Eat](https:\/\/parade.com\/health\/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food#how-to-tell-if-food-is-spoiled-or-unsafe-to-eat)\n3. [Is It Okay To Eat Food After It Has Expired?](https:\/\/parade.com\/health\/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food#is-it-okay-to-eat-food-after-it-has-expired)\n4. [Food Safety Guidelines To Prevent Foodborne Illnesses](https:\/\/parade.com\/health\/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food#food-safety-guidelines-to-prevent-foodborne-illnesses)\n### 1\\. Nothing\nThe chances are that you’ll be OK if you consume food that’s technically past its expiration date. That’s because it’s not an expiration date.\n\n“A ‘best if used by,’ ‘better if used by’ or ‘BIUB’ date refers to the date by which the food producer suggests you eat or use the product to optimize taste or appearance,” says **Jason Levee, RD,** a registered dietitian with [Whole Family Health](https:\/\/wholefamilyhealth.co\/). “Quality can diminish over time without affecting food safety. A sell-by date is for inventory management for food retailers and has no direct bearing on food safety.”\n\nWhich is why you’ll probably be just fine. “If an individual eats a food that is past its quality date—or best-by, consume-by or tastiest-by date—typically nothing will happen,” Baum says. “If it doesn’t taste fresh or has an off-putting odor, most individuals will naturally decide not to consume it and throw it out.”\n\n😋😋 **[SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Parade Eats newsletter](https:\/\/parade.com\/newsletters\/pop-kitchen?utm_source=article&utm_medium=middle)**. 🍳🍔\n\n### 2\\. You’ll Get a Tummy Ache\nSometimes, you may experience a stomach ache with other unpleasant side effects like vomiting and diarrhea. “Often our body knows that it is not good, so \\[you\\] will vomit in order to get every part of it out of your system,” Levee says.\n\nDitto for diarrhea: Levee says that GI irritation can also trigger the runs.\n\n### 3\\. You’ll Consume Fewer Nutrients\nFood provides vital nutrients that help keep our bodies functioning well. A lower nutritional value may be part of the quality decline.\n\n“Food labeling regulations state nutritional value must be maintained during the shelf life of products,” says **Jill Stuber**, a food safety consultant and coach at Catalyst LLC. “Therefore, consuming expired products may simply mean the consumer will receive less nutrients from the food than they thought were present.”\n\nThat doesn’t mean you can’t eat it. You just may not be getting the vitamins, minerals or [protein](https:\/\/parade.com\/1099736\/ashleylauretta\/can-you-eat-too-much-protein\/) you were hoping for from the dish.\n\n**Related: [Allergies Might Be To Blame for Your Upset Stomach—Here’s How To Know, and What To Do About It](https:\/\/parade.com\/health\/can-allergies-make-you-feel-sick)**\n\n### 4\\. You’ll Feel Less Satisfied\nBesides nutrients, food is a sensory experience—the taste and smell, in particular. Stuber says that the lower quality after the “best-by” date may leave you feeling disappointed. Think stale chips or cookies that simply don’t taste the same.\n\n“The chips may not be as crispy, the crackers may be a little stale and the seasonings will likely not be as potent,” Baum says. “However, it will not harm you.”\n\n### 5\\. You’ll Deal With Dehydration\nThis one is a byproduct of the stomachache you may have gotten from eating food after the date on the package. “Vomiting and diarrhea can lead to high levels of fluid loss, which can be hazardous to your health,” Stuber says. “Severe [dehydration](https:\/\/parade.com\/581320\/tamrabolton\/signs-symptoms-dehydration\/) may lead to hospitalization.”\n\n### 6\\. You’ll Contract an Illness Like E. Coli or Salmonella\nThis potential side effect of eating “expired” food—or food that’s spoiled—is one of the more severe. “For products past expiration dates, namely perishable products, there is a risk that harmful bacteria has grown to levels that can make consumers sick,” Stuber says.\n\nSymptoms of foodborne illness include the aforementioned [nausea](https:\/\/parade.com\/1226052\/kaitlin-vogel\/what-to-eat-when-nauseous\/), vomiting and diarrhea.\n\n**Related: [Good Question: How Long Are Eggs Good After the Expiration Date?](https:\/\/parade.com\/food\/how-long-are-eggs-good-after-expiration-date)**\n\n## How To Tell if Food Is Spoiled or Unsafe To Eat\n![Woman throwing out expired food from her refrigerator](https:\/\/parade.com\/.image\/ODowMDAwMDAwMDAwOTU0MTgx\/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food-safety.jpg?io=1&profile=w2560&x=0&y=0)\n\nPhoto by RyanKing999\/Canva\n\nWe know expiration dates don’t actually mean all that much. If that’s the case, how can we tell if food is no longer safe to eat? “Not all spoilage is easily visible, like mold on bread or slimy [lettuce](https:\/\/parade.com\/health\/is-iceberg-lettuce-good-for-you-according-to-registered-dietitians), so at times, people may consume products that have had microbial growth,” Stuber says.\n\nBecause spoiled food can make you sick, smell is a great indicator that something isn’t safe to eat. If something smells “off” to you—think that sour smell when milk has gone bad—it’s probably not a good idea to consume it.\n\n**Related: [I’m Not Pregnant or Hungover—So Why Am I Nauseous?](https:\/\/parade.com\/889608\/krissybrady\/why-am-i-nauseous\/)**\n\n## Is It Okay To Eat Food After It Has Expired?\nOne more time, for the people in the back: “Food does not expire,” Baum says. “The only food product in the United States that has a regulated expiration date is baby food. The date on all other packaged foods denotes that the quality of a product may be depleted.”\n\nOK, but what happens when you consume food after the best-by date? Is it bad? Not necessarily. “Eating a shelf-stable food such as crackers, chips and seasonings past a quality date is OK,” Baum says.\n\nThey may not taste as good, but Baum says that it’s not possible to determine the precise date a food goes from safe to unsafe. The freeze-by date is another one to pay attention to, though.\n\n“The freeze-by date on proteins is there to assist the consumer with preserving the product,” Baum says. “By freezing the protein, it reduces the incidence of spoilage organisms growing and causing the product to ‘go bad’ and stops harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illness from growing.”\n\n**Related: [Here Are the 18 Best Foods To Eat When You’re Nauseous](https:\/\/parade.com\/1226052\/kaitlin-vogel\/what-to-eat-when-nauseous\/)**\n\n## Food Safety Guidelines To Prevent Foodborne Illnesses\n![The words \"food safety\" written with wooden blocks on a blue background](https:\/\/parade.com\/.image\/ODowMDAwMDAwMDAwOTU0MTkz\/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food-safety-guidelines.jpg?io=1&profile=w2560&x=0&y=0)\n\nPhoto by John Kevin from Getty Images\/Canva\n\nWhile most food doesn’t expire, consumers can still follow some basic safety rules to ensure their meal hits all the right notes. Baum says these rules include:\n\n- Purchasing food from a reputable source.\n- Keeping your refrigerator and freezer at the recommended temperatures: 40 degrees F for a fridge and 0 degrees F or below for a freezer.\n- Separating raw proteins like meat, poultry and seafood from fresh, ready-to-eat foods like produce.\n- Wash your hands with soap and water after handling raw proteins.\n- Use different utensils for raw proteins and ready-to-eat foods.\n- Cook raw proteins to the recommended internal temperature and check them with a meat thermometer before serving.\n\nSome people may take extra precautions when considering whether or not to consume food after the date on the package. “Many immune-compromised individuals, such as pregnant people or individuals with a chronic medical condition, choose not to consume foods after the quality date on the label as a preventive measure,” Baum says.\n\nStuber suggests using the [FoodKeeper app](https:\/\/www.foodsafety.gov\/keep-food-safe\/foodkeeper-app) for insights on proper storage and package dates.\n\n### Sources\n- Mitzi Baum, the chief executive officer at [Stop Foodborne Illness](https:\/\/stopfoodborneillness.org\/).\n- Before You Toss Food, Wait. Check It Out! *[USDA](https:\/\/www.usda.gov\/media\/blog\/2013\/06\/27\/you-toss-food-wait-check-it-out)*.\n- Jason Levee, RD, a registered dietitian with [Whole Family Health](https:\/\/wholefamilyhealth.co\/).\n- Jill Stuber, a food safety consultant and coach at Catalyst LLC.\n\n## About the author\n![](https:\/\/parade.com\/.image\/MTkyNjg1Njc4NTYyMTI0ODI5\/mayer-headshot.jpg?io=1&profile=w256&ar=1-1)\n\nBeth Ann Mayer is a health and lifestyle writer. For more than a decade, she has specialized in providing fact-based insights on a range of health and lifestyle topics—including physical and mental health, relationships, pets, food, sports and entertainment—to help inspire people to live their best and most informed lives.","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	Picture this: You’re hankering for an afternoon snack, and find an old bag of chips that look good enough. After eating a few handfuls, you happen to look at the package and realize it expired 12 weeks ago. Oops. Now what? What happens if you eat expired food? Is eating expired food bad? Fun fact: “Food does not expire,” says Mitzi Baum, the chief executive officer at Stop Foodborne Illness . “Food can spoil and become unsafe, but it doesn’t expire.” Looking at the USDA website , you’ll see the statement: “Many dates on foods refer to quality, not safety.” Baum says a notable exception is baby food , which does expire. If you’re reading this, baby food likely isn’t on your menu. So, at what point does eating food after the date listed on the package become unsafe for an adult? Experts explained. Related: Is It 100% Safe To Drink Tap Water? Here’s the Truth Table of Contents What Happens if You Eat 'Expired' Food How To Tell if Food Is Spoiled or Unsafe To Eat Is It Okay To Eat Food After It Has Expired? Food Safety Guidelines To Prevent Foodborne Illnesses 1. Nothing The chances are that you’ll be OK if you consume food that’s technically past its expiration date. That’s because it’s not an expiration date. “A ‘best if used by,’ ‘better if used by’ or ‘BIUB’ date refers to the date by which the food producer suggests you eat or use the product to optimize taste or appearance,” says Jason Levee, RD, a registered dietitian with Whole Family Health . “Quality can diminish over time without affecting food safety. A sell-by date is for inventory management for food retailers and has no direct bearing on food safety.” Which is why you’ll probably be just fine. “If an individual eats a food that is past its quality date—or best-by, consume-by or tastiest-by date—typically nothing will happen,” Baum says. “If it doesn’t taste fresh or has an off-putting odor, most individuals will naturally decide not to consume it and throw it out.” 😋😋 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Parade Eats newsletter . 🍳🍔 2. You’ll Get a Tummy Ache Sometimes, you may experience a stomach ache with other unpleasant side effects like vomiting and diarrhea. “Often our body knows that it is not good, so [you] will vomit in order to get every part of it out of your system,” Levee says. Ditto for diarrhea: Levee says that GI irritation can also trigger the runs. 3. You’ll Consume Fewer Nutrients Food provides vital nutrients that help keep our bodies functioning well. A lower nutritional value may be part of the quality decline. “Food labeling regulations state nutritional value must be maintained during the shelf life of products,” says Jill Stuber , a food safety consultant and coach at Catalyst LLC. “Therefore, consuming expired products may simply mean the consumer will receive less nutrients from the food than they thought were present.” That doesn’t mean you can’t eat it. You just may not be getting the vitamins, minerals or protein you were hoping for from the dish. Related: Allergies Might Be To Blame for Your Upset Stomach—Here’s How To Know, and What To Do About It 4. You’ll Feel Less Satisfied Besides nutrients, food is a sensory experience—the taste and smell, in particular. Stuber says that the lower quality after the “best-by” date may leave you feeling disappointed. Think stale chips or cookies that simply don’t taste the same. “The chips may not be as crispy, the crackers may be a little stale and the seasonings will likely not be as potent,” Baum says. “However, it will not harm you.” 5. You’ll Deal With Dehydration This one is a byproduct of the stomachache you may have gotten from eating food after the date on the package. “Vomiting and diarrhea can lead to high levels of fluid loss, which can be hazardous to your health,” Stuber says. “Severe dehydration may lead to hospitalization.” 6. You’ll Contract an Illness Like E. Coli or Salmonella This potential side effect of eating “expired” food—or food that’s spoiled—is one of the more severe. “For products past expiration dates, namely perishable products, there is a risk that harmful bacteria has grown to levels that can make consumers sick,” Stuber says. Symptoms of foodborne illness include the aforementioned nausea , vomiting and diarrhea. Related: Good Question: How Long Are Eggs Good After the Expiration Date? How To Tell if Food Is Spoiled or Unsafe To Eat Photo by RyanKing999/Canva We know expiration dates don’t actually mean all that much. If that’s the case, how can we tell if food is no longer safe to eat? “Not all spoilage is easily visible, like mold on bread or slimy lettuce , so at times, people may consume products that have had microbial growth,” Stuber says. Because spoiled food can make you sick, smell is a great indicator that something isn’t safe to eat. If something smells “off” to you—think that sour smell when milk has gone bad—it’s probably not a good idea to consume it. Related: I’m Not Pregnant or Hungover—So Why Am I Nauseous? Is It Okay To Eat Food After It Has Expired? One more time, for the people in the back: “Food does not expire,” Baum says. “The only food product in the United States that has a regulated expiration date is baby food. The date on all other packaged foods denotes that the quality of a product may be depleted.” OK, but what happens when you consume food after the best-by date? Is it bad? Not necessarily. “Eating a shelf-stable food such as crackers, chips and seasonings past a quality date is OK,” Baum says. They may not taste as good, but Baum says that it’s not possible to determine the precise date a food goes from safe to unsafe. The freeze-by date is another one to pay attention to, though. “The freeze-by date on proteins is there to assist the consumer with preserving the product,” Baum says. “By freezing the protein, it reduces the incidence of spoilage organisms growing and causing the product to ‘go bad’ and stops harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illness from growing.” Related: Here Are the 18 Best Foods To Eat When You’re Nauseous Food Safety Guidelines To Prevent Foodborne Illnesses Photo by John Kevin from Getty Images/Canva While most food doesn’t expire, consumers can still follow some basic safety rules to ensure their meal hits all the right notes. Baum says these rules include: Purchasing food from a reputable source. Keeping your refrigerator and freezer at the recommended temperatures: 40 degrees F for a fridge and 0 degrees F or below for a freezer. Separating raw proteins like meat, poultry and seafood from fresh, ready-to-eat foods like produce. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling raw proteins. Use different utensils for raw proteins and ready-to-eat foods. Cook raw proteins to the recommended internal temperature and check them with a meat thermometer before serving. Some people may take extra precautions when considering whether or not to consume food after the date on the package. “Many immune-compromised individuals, such as pregnant people or individuals with a chronic medical condition, choose not to consume foods after the quality date on the label as a preventive measure,” Baum says. Stuber suggests using the FoodKeeper app for insights on proper storage and package dates. Sources Mitzi Baum, the chief executive officer at Stop Foodborne Illness . Before You Toss Food, Wait. Check It Out! USDA . Jason Levee, RD, a registered dietitian with Whole Family Health . Jill Stuber, a food safety consultant and coach at Catalyst LLC. About the author Beth Ann Mayer is a health and lifestyle writer. For more than a decade, she has specialized in providing fact-based insights on a range of health and lifestyle topics—including physical and mental health, relationships, pets, food, sports and entertainment—to help inspire people to live their best and most informed lives.
Markdown	[Skip to main content](https://parade.com/health/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food#main-content) America's Favorite Small Towns 2026 [Find out more about our 40 finalists\!](https://americasfavoritesmalltowns.parade.com/) Newsletter Sign in [![](https://parade.com/.image/ODowMDAwMDAwMDAwNTQxODg0/parade-header.svg?io=1&profile=w256)](https://parade.com/) [![](https://parade.com/.image/ODowMDAwMDAwMDAwNTQxODg0/parade-header.svg?io=1&profile=w256)](https://parade.com/) - [News](https://parade.com/news/) - [Entertainment](https://parade.com/entertainment/) Entertainment [All Entertainment](https://parade.com/entertainment/)[Celebrities](https://parade.com/celebrities/)[TV](https://parade.com/tv/)[Movies](https://parade.com/movies/) [Books](https://parade.com/books/)[Music](https://parade.com/tag/music/)[Cover Stories](https://parade.com/tag/digital-cover/)[Royals](https://parade.com/celebrities/royals/) [View post: 'Heated Rivalry' and 'The Pitt' Nominated for The 86th Annual Peabody Awards](https://parade.com/tv/heated-rivalry-the-pitt-nominated-for-86th-annual-peabody-awards)!['Heated Rivalry' and 'The Pitt' Nominated for The 86th Annual Peabody Awards](https://parade.com/.image/ODowMDAwMDAwMDAxODY1NDY2/untitled.png?io=1&profile=w256&ar=1-1) ['Heated Rivalry' and 'The Pitt' Nominated for The 86th Annual Peabody Awards](https://parade.com/tv/heated-rivalry-the-pitt-nominated-for-86th-annual-peabody-awards) Read More [View post: Beloved ’90s Rocker Addresses Life-Changing Disease](https://parade.com/celebrities/beloved-90s-rocker-vinny-appice-cancer-concerns-ronnie-james-dio-legacy)![Beloved ’90s Rocker Addresses Life-Changing Disease](https://parade.com/.image/ODowMDAwMDAwMDAxODYyNzk0/heaven-and-hell-in-concert-concord-ca.jpg?io=1&profile=w256&ar=1-1) [Beloved ’90s Rocker Addresses Life-Changing Disease](https://parade.com/celebrities/beloved-90s-rocker-vinny-appice-cancer-concerns-ronnie-james-dio-legacy) Read More [View post: Legendary ’70s Rock Band Faces Sudden Illness](https://parade.com/entertainment/journey-band-sudden-illness-tour-postponement-final-frontier-2026)![Legendary ’70s Rock Band Faces Sudden Illness](https://parade.com/.image/ODowMDAwMDAwMDAxODYyNzUw/journey-begins-second-residency-at-the-hard-rock-in-las-vegas.jpg?io=1&profile=w256&ar=1-1) [Legendary ’70s Rock Band Faces Sudden Illness](https://parade.com/entertainment/journey-band-sudden-illness-tour-postponement-final-frontier-2026) Read More - 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[Health & Wellness](https://parade.com/health/) # Wait—What Happens if You Eat Expired Food? This one goes out to anyone who tends to ignore that ‘sell-by’ date. Feb 23, 2026 9:30 PM EST ![](https://parade.com/.image/MTkyNjg1Njc4NTYyMTI0ODI5/mayer-headshot.jpg?io=1&profile=w256&ar=1-1) By [Beth Ann Mayer](https://parade.com/author/beth-ann-mayer) Health and Lifestyle Writer, Parade 0 [Add us on](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=parade.com) ![Food with 'best before' label](https://parade.com/.image/MjA2MTc2NzI1OTYzMzgzOTA3/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food.jpg?io=1&profile=w2560&ar=4-3) Food with 'best before' labeliStock Related Articles [View post: 1972 Career-Defining Classic Named No. 1 Hit Song Became a Timeless Anthem](https://parade.com/news/1972-career-defining-classic-named-no-1-hit-song-became-a-timeless-anthem)![](https://parade.com/.image/ODowMDAwMDAwMDAxODY1ODQ3/screenshot-2026-04-10-at-8-44-49-pm.png?io=1&profile=w256&ar=1-1) News [1972 Career-Defining Classic Named No. 1 Hit Song Became a Timeless Anthem](https://parade.com/news/1972-career-defining-classic-named-no-1-hit-song-became-a-timeless-anthem) Nina Derwin 11 minutes ago [View post: Walmart’s ‘Adorable’ 5-Pack Plant Stand Set Is a Game-Changer for Plant Owners, and It’s Just \$23](https://parade.com/shopping/walmart-merryhome-metal-plant-stand-flash-sale)![](https://parade.com/.image/ODowMDAwMDAwMDAwNzU1MTY1/walmart-logo.jpg?io=1&profile=w256&ar=1-1&x=45&y=50) Shopping, Deals & Freebies [Walmart’s ‘Adorable’ 5-Pack Plant Stand Set Is a Game-Changer for Plant Owners, and It’s Just \$23](https://parade.com/shopping/walmart-merryhome-metal-plant-stand-flash-sale) Olivia Bria 34 minutes ago [View post: Cosmopolitan Names The Romantasy Nora Ephron Fans Will Love: 'You've Got Mail' Meets Mythology'](https://parade.com/news/cosmopolitan-names-divine-rivals-romantasy-nora-ephron-fans-will-love)![](https://parade.com/.image/ODowMDAwMDAwMDAxODY1ODMx/united-states-december-10-meg-ryan-arrives-for-the-premiere-of-youve-got-mail-she-stars-in-the-film-photo-by-richard-corkeryny-daily-news-archive-via-getty-images-stockpack-gettyimages.jpg?io=1&profile=w256&ar=1-1) News [Cosmopolitan Names The Romantasy Nora Ephron Fans Will Love: 'You've Got Mail' Meets Mythology'](https://parade.com/news/cosmopolitan-names-divine-rivals-romantasy-nora-ephron-fans-will-love) Meredith Gordon 36 minutes ago [View post: Heather Locklear, 64, Is Reportedly Dating A Well-Known '90s Heartthrob, 68](https://parade.com/news/heather-locklear-64-is-reportedly-dating-lorenzo-lamas-68)![](https://parade.com/.image/ODowMDAwMDAwMDAxODY1NzQy/1993-american-actress-heather-locklear-photo-by-bsr-agencygentle-look-via-getty-images-stockpack-gettyimages.jpg?io=1&profile=w256&ar=1-1) News [Heather Locklear, 64, Is Reportedly Dating A Well-Known '90s Heartthrob, 68](https://parade.com/news/heather-locklear-64-is-reportedly-dating-lorenzo-lamas-68) Sheri Reed 1 hour ago Picture this: You’re hankering for an afternoon snack, and find an old bag of [chips](https://parade.com/food/types-of-chips) that look good enough. After eating a few handfuls, you happen to look at the package and realize it expired 12 weeks ago. Oops. Now what? What happens if you eat expired food? Is eating [expired food](https://parade.com/food/how-long-are-eggs-good-after-expiration-date) bad? Fun fact: “Food does not expire,” says Mitzi Baum, the chief executive officer at [Stop Foodborne Illness](https://stopfoodborneillness.org/). “Food can spoil and become unsafe, but it doesn’t expire.” Looking at the [USDA website](https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2013/06/27/you-toss-food-wait-check-it-out), you’ll see the statement: “Many dates on foods refer to quality, not safety.” Baum says a notable exception is [baby food](https://parade.com/food/tippy-toes-baby-food-recall-february-2026), which does expire. If you’re reading this, baby food likely isn’t on your menu. So, at what point does eating food after the date listed on the package become unsafe for an adult? Experts explained. Related: [Is It 100% Safe To Drink Tap Water? Here’s the Truth](https://parade.com/health/is-it-ok-to-drink-tap-water) ## Table of Contents 1. [What Happens if You Eat 'Expired' Food](https://parade.com/health/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food#what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food) 2. [How To Tell if Food Is Spoiled or Unsafe To Eat](https://parade.com/health/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food#how-to-tell-if-food-is-spoiled-or-unsafe-to-eat) 3. [Is It Okay To Eat Food After It Has Expired?](https://parade.com/health/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food#is-it-okay-to-eat-food-after-it-has-expired) 4. [Food Safety Guidelines To Prevent Foodborne Illnesses](https://parade.com/health/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food#food-safety-guidelines-to-prevent-foodborne-illnesses) ## What Happens if You Eat ‘Expired’ Food ### 1\. Nothing The chances are that you’ll be OK if you consume food that’s technically past its expiration date. That’s because it’s not an expiration date. “A ‘best if used by,’ ‘better if used by’ or ‘BIUB’ date refers to the date by which the food producer suggests you eat or use the product to optimize taste or appearance,” says Jason Levee, RD, a registered dietitian with [Whole Family Health](https://wholefamilyhealth.co/). “Quality can diminish over time without affecting food safety. A sell-by date is for inventory management for food retailers and has no direct bearing on food safety.” Which is why you’ll probably be just fine. “If an individual eats a food that is past its quality date—or best-by, consume-by or tastiest-by date—typically nothing will happen,” Baum says. “If it doesn’t taste fresh or has an off-putting odor, most individuals will naturally decide not to consume it and throw it out.” 😋😋 [SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Parade Eats newsletter](https://parade.com/newsletters/pop-kitchen?utm_source=article&utm_medium=middle). 🍳🍔 ### 2\. You’ll Get a Tummy Ache Sometimes, you may experience a stomach ache with other unpleasant side effects like vomiting and diarrhea. “Often our body knows that it is not good, so \[you\] will vomit in order to get every part of it out of your system,” Levee says. Ditto for diarrhea: Levee says that GI irritation can also trigger the runs. ### 3\. You’ll Consume Fewer Nutrients Food provides vital nutrients that help keep our bodies functioning well. A lower nutritional value may be part of the quality decline. “Food labeling regulations state nutritional value must be maintained during the shelf life of products,” says Jill Stuber, a food safety consultant and coach at Catalyst LLC. “Therefore, consuming expired products may simply mean the consumer will receive less nutrients from the food than they thought were present.” That doesn’t mean you can’t eat it. You just may not be getting the vitamins, minerals or [protein](https://parade.com/1099736/ashleylauretta/can-you-eat-too-much-protein/) you were hoping for from the dish. Related: [Allergies Might Be To Blame for Your Upset Stomach—Here’s How To Know, and What To Do About It](https://parade.com/health/can-allergies-make-you-feel-sick) ### 4\. You’ll Feel Less Satisfied Besides nutrients, food is a sensory experience—the taste and smell, in particular. Stuber says that the lower quality after the “best-by” date may leave you feeling disappointed. Think stale chips or cookies that simply don’t taste the same. “The chips may not be as crispy, the crackers may be a little stale and the seasonings will likely not be as potent,” Baum says. “However, it will not harm you.” ### 5\. You’ll Deal With Dehydration This one is a byproduct of the stomachache you may have gotten from eating food after the date on the package. “Vomiting and diarrhea can lead to high levels of fluid loss, which can be hazardous to your health,” Stuber says. “Severe [dehydration](https://parade.com/581320/tamrabolton/signs-symptoms-dehydration/) may lead to hospitalization.” ### 6\. You’ll Contract an Illness Like E. Coli or Salmonella This potential side effect of eating “expired” food—or food that’s spoiled—is one of the more severe. “For products past expiration dates, namely perishable products, there is a risk that harmful bacteria has grown to levels that can make consumers sick,” Stuber says. Symptoms of foodborne illness include the aforementioned [nausea](https://parade.com/1226052/kaitlin-vogel/what-to-eat-when-nauseous/), vomiting and diarrhea. Related: [Good Question: How Long Are Eggs Good After the Expiration Date?](https://parade.com/food/how-long-are-eggs-good-after-expiration-date) ## How To Tell if Food Is Spoiled or Unsafe To Eat ![Woman throwing out expired food from her refrigerator](https://parade.com/.image/ODowMDAwMDAwMDAwOTU0MTgx/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food-safety.jpg?io=1&profile=w2560&x=0&y=0) Photo by RyanKing999/Canva We know expiration dates don’t actually mean all that much. If that’s the case, how can we tell if food is no longer safe to eat? “Not all spoilage is easily visible, like mold on bread or slimy [lettuce](https://parade.com/health/is-iceberg-lettuce-good-for-you-according-to-registered-dietitians), so at times, people may consume products that have had microbial growth,” Stuber says. Because spoiled food can make you sick, smell is a great indicator that something isn’t safe to eat. If something smells “off” to you—think that sour smell when milk has gone bad—it’s probably not a good idea to consume it. Related: [I’m Not Pregnant or Hungover—So Why Am I Nauseous?](https://parade.com/889608/krissybrady/why-am-i-nauseous/) ## Is It Okay To Eat Food After It Has Expired? One more time, for the people in the back: “Food does not expire,” Baum says. “The only food product in the United States that has a regulated expiration date is baby food. The date on all other packaged foods denotes that the quality of a product may be depleted.” OK, but what happens when you consume food after the best-by date? Is it bad? Not necessarily. “Eating a shelf-stable food such as crackers, chips and seasonings past a quality date is OK,” Baum says. They may not taste as good, but Baum says that it’s not possible to determine the precise date a food goes from safe to unsafe. The freeze-by date is another one to pay attention to, though. “The freeze-by date on proteins is there to assist the consumer with preserving the product,” Baum says. “By freezing the protein, it reduces the incidence of spoilage organisms growing and causing the product to ‘go bad’ and stops harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illness from growing.” Related: [Here Are the 18 Best Foods To Eat When You’re Nauseous](https://parade.com/1226052/kaitlin-vogel/what-to-eat-when-nauseous/) ## Food Safety Guidelines To Prevent Foodborne Illnesses ![The words "food safety" written with wooden blocks on a blue background](https://parade.com/.image/ODowMDAwMDAwMDAwOTU0MTkz/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food-safety-guidelines.jpg?io=1&profile=w2560&x=0&y=0) Photo by John Kevin from Getty Images/Canva While most food doesn’t expire, consumers can still follow some basic safety rules to ensure their meal hits all the right notes. Baum says these rules include: - Purchasing food from a reputable source. - Keeping your refrigerator and freezer at the recommended temperatures: 40 degrees F for a fridge and 0 degrees F or below for a freezer. - Separating raw proteins like meat, poultry and seafood from fresh, ready-to-eat foods like produce. - Wash your hands with soap and water after handling raw proteins. - Use different utensils for raw proteins and ready-to-eat foods. - Cook raw proteins to the recommended internal temperature and check them with a meat thermometer before serving. Some people may take extra precautions when considering whether or not to consume food after the date on the package. “Many immune-compromised individuals, such as pregnant people or individuals with a chronic medical condition, choose not to consume foods after the quality date on the label as a preventive measure,” Baum says. Stuber suggests using the [FoodKeeper app](https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep-food-safe/foodkeeper-app) for insights on proper storage and package dates. ### Sources - Mitzi Baum, the chief executive officer at [Stop Foodborne Illness](https://stopfoodborneillness.org/). - Before You Toss Food, Wait. Check It Out! [USDA](https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2013/06/27/you-toss-food-wait-check-it-out). - Jason Levee, RD, a registered dietitian with [Whole Family Health](https://wholefamilyhealth.co/). - Jill Stuber, a food safety consultant and coach at Catalyst LLC. [View post: Is It Normal To Be Nauseous Every Day? Here's What Experts Say](https://parade.com/health/is-it-normal-to-feel-nauseous-every-day)![](https://parade.com/.image/MjA0NTEyMDU0MzUzMDc3NTYz/is-it-normal-to-feel-nauseous-every-day.jpg?io=1&profile=w2560&ar=1-1) Health & Wellness [Is It Normal To Be Nauseous Every Day? Here's What Experts Say](https://parade.com/health/is-it-normal-to-feel-nauseous-every-day) Doctors share their tips on what to do when nausea hits and when to see a doctor. Emily Laurence Sardinha ## About the author ![](https://parade.com/.image/MTkyNjg1Njc4NTYyMTI0ODI5/mayer-headshot.jpg?io=1&profile=w256&ar=1-1) ## [Beth Ann Mayer](https://parade.com/author/beth-ann-mayer) Health and Lifestyle Writer, Parade Beth Ann Mayer is a health and lifestyle writer. For more than a decade, she has specialized in providing fact-based insights on a range of health and lifestyle topics—including physical and mental health, relationships, pets, food, sports and entertainment—to help inspire people to live their best and most informed lives. 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Readable Markdown	Picture this: You’re hankering for an afternoon snack, and find an old bag of [chips](https://parade.com/food/types-of-chips) that look good enough. After eating a few handfuls, you happen to look at the package and realize it expired 12 weeks ago. Oops. Now what? What happens if you eat expired food? Is eating [expired food](https://parade.com/food/how-long-are-eggs-good-after-expiration-date) bad? Fun fact: “Food does not expire,” says Mitzi Baum, the chief executive officer at [Stop Foodborne Illness](https://stopfoodborneillness.org/). “Food can spoil and become unsafe, but it doesn’t expire.” Looking at the [USDA website](https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2013/06/27/you-toss-food-wait-check-it-out), you’ll see the statement: “Many dates on foods refer to quality, not safety.” Baum says a notable exception is [baby food](https://parade.com/food/tippy-toes-baby-food-recall-february-2026), which does expire. If you’re reading this, baby food likely isn’t on your menu. So, at what point does eating food after the date listed on the package become unsafe for an adult? Experts explained. Related: [Is It 100% Safe To Drink Tap Water? Here’s the Truth](https://parade.com/health/is-it-ok-to-drink-tap-water) ## Table of Contents 1. [What Happens if You Eat 'Expired' Food](https://parade.com/health/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food#what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food) 2. [How To Tell if Food Is Spoiled or Unsafe To Eat](https://parade.com/health/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food#how-to-tell-if-food-is-spoiled-or-unsafe-to-eat) 3. [Is It Okay To Eat Food After It Has Expired?](https://parade.com/health/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food#is-it-okay-to-eat-food-after-it-has-expired) 4. [Food Safety Guidelines To Prevent Foodborne Illnesses](https://parade.com/health/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food#food-safety-guidelines-to-prevent-foodborne-illnesses) ### 1\. Nothing The chances are that you’ll be OK if you consume food that’s technically past its expiration date. That’s because it’s not an expiration date. “A ‘best if used by,’ ‘better if used by’ or ‘BIUB’ date refers to the date by which the food producer suggests you eat or use the product to optimize taste or appearance,” says Jason Levee, RD, a registered dietitian with [Whole Family Health](https://wholefamilyhealth.co/). “Quality can diminish over time without affecting food safety. A sell-by date is for inventory management for food retailers and has no direct bearing on food safety.” Which is why you’ll probably be just fine. “If an individual eats a food that is past its quality date—or best-by, consume-by or tastiest-by date—typically nothing will happen,” Baum says. “If it doesn’t taste fresh or has an off-putting odor, most individuals will naturally decide not to consume it and throw it out.” 😋😋 [SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Parade Eats newsletter](https://parade.com/newsletters/pop-kitchen?utm_source=article&utm_medium=middle). 🍳🍔 ### 2\. You’ll Get a Tummy Ache Sometimes, you may experience a stomach ache with other unpleasant side effects like vomiting and diarrhea. “Often our body knows that it is not good, so \[you\] will vomit in order to get every part of it out of your system,” Levee says. Ditto for diarrhea: Levee says that GI irritation can also trigger the runs. ### 3\. You’ll Consume Fewer Nutrients Food provides vital nutrients that help keep our bodies functioning well. A lower nutritional value may be part of the quality decline. “Food labeling regulations state nutritional value must be maintained during the shelf life of products,” says Jill Stuber, a food safety consultant and coach at Catalyst LLC. “Therefore, consuming expired products may simply mean the consumer will receive less nutrients from the food than they thought were present.” That doesn’t mean you can’t eat it. You just may not be getting the vitamins, minerals or [protein](https://parade.com/1099736/ashleylauretta/can-you-eat-too-much-protein/) you were hoping for from the dish. Related: [Allergies Might Be To Blame for Your Upset Stomach—Here’s How To Know, and What To Do About It](https://parade.com/health/can-allergies-make-you-feel-sick) ### 4\. You’ll Feel Less Satisfied Besides nutrients, food is a sensory experience—the taste and smell, in particular. Stuber says that the lower quality after the “best-by” date may leave you feeling disappointed. Think stale chips or cookies that simply don’t taste the same. “The chips may not be as crispy, the crackers may be a little stale and the seasonings will likely not be as potent,” Baum says. “However, it will not harm you.” ### 5\. You’ll Deal With Dehydration This one is a byproduct of the stomachache you may have gotten from eating food after the date on the package. “Vomiting and diarrhea can lead to high levels of fluid loss, which can be hazardous to your health,” Stuber says. “Severe [dehydration](https://parade.com/581320/tamrabolton/signs-symptoms-dehydration/) may lead to hospitalization.” ### 6\. You’ll Contract an Illness Like E. Coli or Salmonella This potential side effect of eating “expired” food—or food that’s spoiled—is one of the more severe. “For products past expiration dates, namely perishable products, there is a risk that harmful bacteria has grown to levels that can make consumers sick,” Stuber says. Symptoms of foodborne illness include the aforementioned [nausea](https://parade.com/1226052/kaitlin-vogel/what-to-eat-when-nauseous/), vomiting and diarrhea. Related: [Good Question: How Long Are Eggs Good After the Expiration Date?](https://parade.com/food/how-long-are-eggs-good-after-expiration-date) ## How To Tell if Food Is Spoiled or Unsafe To Eat ![Woman throwing out expired food from her refrigerator](https://parade.com/.image/ODowMDAwMDAwMDAwOTU0MTgx/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food-safety.jpg?io=1&profile=w2560&x=0&y=0) Photo by RyanKing999/Canva We know expiration dates don’t actually mean all that much. If that’s the case, how can we tell if food is no longer safe to eat? “Not all spoilage is easily visible, like mold on bread or slimy [lettuce](https://parade.com/health/is-iceberg-lettuce-good-for-you-according-to-registered-dietitians), so at times, people may consume products that have had microbial growth,” Stuber says. Because spoiled food can make you sick, smell is a great indicator that something isn’t safe to eat. If something smells “off” to you—think that sour smell when milk has gone bad—it’s probably not a good idea to consume it. Related: [I’m Not Pregnant or Hungover—So Why Am I Nauseous?](https://parade.com/889608/krissybrady/why-am-i-nauseous/) ## Is It Okay To Eat Food After It Has Expired? One more time, for the people in the back: “Food does not expire,” Baum says. “The only food product in the United States that has a regulated expiration date is baby food. The date on all other packaged foods denotes that the quality of a product may be depleted.” OK, but what happens when you consume food after the best-by date? Is it bad? Not necessarily. “Eating a shelf-stable food such as crackers, chips and seasonings past a quality date is OK,” Baum says. They may not taste as good, but Baum says that it’s not possible to determine the precise date a food goes from safe to unsafe. The freeze-by date is another one to pay attention to, though. “The freeze-by date on proteins is there to assist the consumer with preserving the product,” Baum says. “By freezing the protein, it reduces the incidence of spoilage organisms growing and causing the product to ‘go bad’ and stops harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illness from growing.” Related: [Here Are the 18 Best Foods To Eat When You’re Nauseous](https://parade.com/1226052/kaitlin-vogel/what-to-eat-when-nauseous/) ## Food Safety Guidelines To Prevent Foodborne Illnesses ![The words "food safety" written with wooden blocks on a blue background](https://parade.com/.image/ODowMDAwMDAwMDAwOTU0MTkz/what-happens-if-you-eat-expired-food-safety-guidelines.jpg?io=1&profile=w2560&x=0&y=0) Photo by John Kevin from Getty Images/Canva While most food doesn’t expire, consumers can still follow some basic safety rules to ensure their meal hits all the right notes. Baum says these rules include: - Purchasing food from a reputable source. - Keeping your refrigerator and freezer at the recommended temperatures: 40 degrees F for a fridge and 0 degrees F or below for a freezer. - Separating raw proteins like meat, poultry and seafood from fresh, ready-to-eat foods like produce. - Wash your hands with soap and water after handling raw proteins. - Use different utensils for raw proteins and ready-to-eat foods. - Cook raw proteins to the recommended internal temperature and check them with a meat thermometer before serving. Some people may take extra precautions when considering whether or not to consume food after the date on the package. “Many immune-compromised individuals, such as pregnant people or individuals with a chronic medical condition, choose not to consume foods after the quality date on the label as a preventive measure,” Baum says. Stuber suggests using the [FoodKeeper app](https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep-food-safe/foodkeeper-app) for insights on proper storage and package dates. ### Sources - Mitzi Baum, the chief executive officer at [Stop Foodborne Illness](https://stopfoodborneillness.org/). - Before You Toss Food, Wait. Check It Out! [USDA](https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2013/06/27/you-toss-food-wait-check-it-out). - Jason Levee, RD, a registered dietitian with [Whole Family Health](https://wholefamilyhealth.co/). - Jill Stuber, a food safety consultant and coach at Catalyst LLC. ## About the author ![](https://parade.com/.image/MTkyNjg1Njc4NTYyMTI0ODI5/mayer-headshot.jpg?io=1&profile=w256&ar=1-1) Beth Ann Mayer is a health and lifestyle writer. For more than a decade, she has specialized in providing fact-based insights on a range of health and lifestyle topics—including physical and mental health, relationships, pets, food, sports and entertainment—to help inspire people to live their best and most informed lives.
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