But what about all of those other foods that we wouldn’t normally think of? Many foods seem so safe that we don’t think to look at expiration dates. And other foods do not have expiration dates listed at all.
This means you’ve got to know which foods to keep an eye on when it comes to knowing when to throw things out. Check out these six foods that just might go bad when you least expect it. (And remember that “bad” can sometimes mean taste and not safety.)
Potatoes
Sure, potatoes can last a while. However, not throwing potatoes out at the right time can have potential health consequences.
According to Science-Based Medicine, potatoes contain small amounts of solanine, which is toxic in large quantities.
But not just any potato is going to have health consequences. You’d have to eat more potatoes than you can fathom to get sick. That said, potatoes that have sprouted – which happens over time -- contain more solanine than fresh potatoes. And that’s not a good thing.
The telltale sign of a bad potato is a bitter taste and green color. So when potatoes turn green, pitch them – that's the telltale sign that they're expired. Don’t just cut the green out. Say goodbye to Mr. Potato Head.
Beer
It’s no secret that a good beer on a Friday night rocks. But in truth, even the best of beer can go bad. While there aren’t many health risks associated with bad beer, there are consequences when it comes to satisfaction.
So what are the defining lines between good and bad beer? There are a number of ways to tell if that favorite beer has gone bad. And the first is the flat factor.
To determine whether a beer has gone flat, look for that familiar fizzing sound when you open a carbonated beer. This is the sign that it’s not flat. In addition, look for foam.
The second sign of a good beer is how it much it has seen the light of day. In other words, too much light can make a good beer go bad.
You see, beer is affected when light penetrates the bottle. To avoid this annoying consequence, store beer appropriately. Keep it in a cool, dark place. And for a better bet, give it a home in the good old refrigerator.
Pasta
Pasta can seem like it will keep forever, but it doesn’t. While there aren’t many health risks associated with eating old pasta, it still expires.
According to Eat By Date, pasta's expiration depends on a variety of factors, such as the best by date, preparation method (dried, fresh, etc.) and storage.
This means pasta should be stored in a sealed container. So don’t leave the box of your favorite pasta open until the next time you use it.
And remember that pre-cooked, refrigerated pasta may contain eggs and definitely should be pitched by the expiration date. Don’t chance it when it comes to these pasta options.
Gourmet Coffee
Coffee seems to last forever, but those dainty coffee beans purchased in novelty shops may come with a different story when it comes to expiration. In other words, they do expire.
Still Tasty says that coffee beans that don’t come in vacuum-sealed bags can last for one to three weeks in a pantry. However, they can keep for three to four months in a freezer.
In light of this recommendation, reconsider keeping those gourmet coffee beans for too long. They just might lose their rich flavor.
Spices
Spices are one of the most common food items that people forget about when it comes to expiration dates. And why wouldn’t they be? It’s not exactly like they appear to be moldy.
But what’s the truth about spices when it comes to expiration?
According to Still Tasty, “From a safety perspective they should be fine, but when it comes to flavoring your food, you may not be very happy with the results.”
That’s because spices lose taste over time. So your favorite chili might not be quite as potent if you’re using an old bottle of seasoning.
Still Tasty says that whole spices stay fresh for about four years; ground spices will last about three to four years; and dried, leafy herbs like bay leaves last about one to three years. So keep track of when spices were purchased and opened -- and pitch them accordingly.
Peanut Butter
Let’s face it -- there’s nothing better than a creamy spoonful of tasty peanut butter. But how long does that yummy jar stay good?
Believe it or not, peanut butter does expire. According to LiveScience.com, it takes about a year for peanut butter to lose flavor and become rancid. Fungi and bacteria may not be a factor, but oxygenation is.
So just what happens when peanut butter spoils? It all comes to a term called rancidification.
“The high fat content leaves PB vulnerable to a…type of food spoilage called rancidification. This isn’t the same as oil separation, when the fats disassociate from peanut particles and pool on top of the jar’s contents. This happens normally in peanut butter and can be resolved simply by stirring. Instead, rancidification is a chemical process in which oxygen breaks down the molecular structures of lipids (the technical term for fats) and changes the flavor and odor of food in rather unappetizing ways. As peanut butter is exposed to more and more oxygen over its lifetime, it becomes likelier to undergo this decay,” reports LiveScience.
So how long can peanut butter really last?
Still Tasty says that opened peanut butter can last three months in a pantry and three to four months after that in a refrigerator.
Ketchup and Mustard
Ketchup and mustard are two of the most forgotten food items when it comes to throwing things out. In fact, many people leave bottles of ketchup and mustard in the refrigerator for years and never think to check the expiration date.
So what’s the truth about ketchup and mustard? And how long can they really keep?
The first part of the scoop is actually quite surprising. According to Still Tasty, you don't have to refrigerate opened ketchup and mustard, but it's a good idea to extend their life and flavor.
That said, both ketchup and mustard can be stored for nearly a month in a pantry. That’s because of acidity. However, after a month, quality is compromised.
An opened ketchup bottle will stay fresh in the fridge for about six months, and mustard can last at least a year. While they can be safe for longer periods of time, quality can be compromised. So follow this rule of thumb and kiss your ketchup and mustard goodbye at the appropriate time.
Always follow the old adage: When in doubt, throw it out. It's not worth compromising your health – or your meal!