Decoding food expiration dates - CBS News When chips go stale, they often become hard and brittle. Chips Like bread, potato chips may get stale past their expiration date, but they are still perfectly safe to eat. Of course, potato chips last for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly. Typically, chips will stay good for at least a couple of weeks before they get stale, but there are some tips and tricks you should know about for the best storage methods. Potato chips are a popular snack food that are enjoyed by people all over the world. 1. Patel said a common mistake is storing beef jerky in plastic bags or not fully sealing the package it came in. Mold is a type of fungus that can grow on potato chips. There is no definitive answer to this question, as potato chips can last for quite some time before going bad. Made simply from potatoes, these snack items have a crisp and crunch to them that make them so loved. Because of this distinction, you may safely use potato chips even after the best before date has lapsed. An open can of Pringles can last somewhere from 1 to 2 weeks from the date of opening. Now what? Apostolou said open packages of chocolate can be stored in the pantry as long as temperatures don't exceed 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Yes, potato chips can go bad. Of course, potato chips last for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly. How long do opened potato chips last at room temperature? Bacteria can cause all sorts of problems, like food poisoning, so its important to be vigilant about them. How long do opened potato chips last at room temperature? Here are some of the things that can happen if you eat expired junk food: You might get a stomachache or diarrhea from eating spoiled junk food. How to Store Potato Chips in the Freezer | Home Guides | SF Gate Simply press the air out of the chip bag first. Firstly, potato chips that are past their expiration date will likely have a sour smell to them. The most common type of food poisoning is caused by eating foods that have gone bad or expired. If they sit on the bottom but point upwards, theyre on the turn. No chip clip? Fresh pasta, on the other hand, contains water and potentially egg, and so spoils more easily; a smell test should help you decide whether to keep or toss, but it should only hang out in your fridge for about two days. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Finally, eating expired junk food can give you a bad case of indigestion. What You Need to Know About Food Expiration Dates - WebMD Instead, Ziesmer and Mullen suggested using beeswax wrap or parchment paper both are made with materials that allow the cheese to breathe properly and contain the smell. Rather than wad up the chip bag and end up with stale chips the next day, you can apply a bit of origami to your bag of chips and rest assured that they'll be fresh and waiting for you when you're ready to snack again. If you see any signs of spoilage, its best to throw them out. You may buy a big box or bag at the store, but you may wonder for how long you can pack those chips in your lunchbox. In this method, you tuck the open end of the bag under weight of the remaining chips. To keep the snack food fresh, she recommended storing leftover popcorn in a sealed bag in the freezer. Why does the freezer method work? Your chips are now sealed up fresh with the bag itself locking out any air. This can cause food poisoning, especially if there are already pathogens present. In general, potato chips last only as long as the quickest expiring ingredient in the dish. Finally, if you taste a chip and it doesnt taste like it used to, then it may also be a sign that it has gone bad. Is It Bad To Eat Stale Chips - yardandgardenguru.com Lisa McManus, executive tasting and testing editor at America's Test Kitchen, said you should keep nuts in the freezer to keep them tasting fresh for longer. Potato chips can be stored at room temperature for up to two months. The last time you found yourself judging your roommate for eating their Greek yogurt past the expiration date and they said sell-by dates are a social construct well, they werent wrong. Then cook the chips on high heat in a pan or under the grill. You, however, do not want to eat your chips if they have expired as they can make you sick. The sugar can also cause the chip to taste sweet or even alcoholic. Yes, provided they are properly stored and the package is undamaged commercially packaged potato chips will typically carry a Best By, Best if Used By, Best Before, or Best When Used By date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturers estimate of how long the potato chips will remain at peak quality. Also, be sure to keep the container away from direct sunlight. If chocolate is stored in a cool place (70 degrees or below), it will outlast its sell-by date. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'foodsquestions_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_4',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-foodsquestions_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');If your potato chips have any of these signs, its best to throw them out. If you take a bite of something and then put it back in the dip, youre likely to contaminate the entire container for everyone else. In the summer, it's best to place your chocolate in the fridge in a sealed bag or container. In fact, many types of food can get bacteria if theyre not handled properly. "While jerky is dried and salted to preserve it, the amount of fat indicates how long it retains freshness," she said. These bacteria can cause several different symptoms, including: NauseaVomitingDiarrheaFeverStomach cramps. In fact, some experts recommend eating them as soon as possible. These chips, however, are still safe for you to eat. Expired junk food might also give you a headache or make you feel tired. 2-3 months after date on package (best quality). Potato Chips - opened 1 yr. 8 months after "guaranteed fresh date" If you have a large plastic bowl with a tight lid, or even a jar with a lid that has a seal, transfer the chips there and they will stay fresher longer than in a non-airtight bag. Storing fruit in a bowl rather than in a basket is a common mistake, according to Seamus Mullen, chef at the Institute of Culinary Education. Manage Settings Foodie Fitness - Food and Fitness | Best Food and Fitness Blog. As a bonus hack, Mullen said you can also toss a dry wine cork in the basket to absorb excess moisture and keep away fruit flies. It's safe to eat Lays chips once their expiration date has passed. To maximize the shelf life of opened potato chips, keep package tightly closed. But remember that potato chips, like a lot of other snacks, usually have a sell by date and not a use by date. When you're ready to enjoy, just take a bag out of the freezer and place it on the counter for a few minutes until the chips are room temperature. The bacteria that cause these problems can also make you really sick if you eat enough of it. If the potato chips have an oily or greasy texture, it means theyve gone bad. Still, there are plenty of foods that are safe long after their sell-by dates, as long as they don't display any of those signs. Symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Its caused by eating food thats been contaminated with bacteria or other germs. In other words, you might want to try some before pouring yourself a whole bowl if it's expired. They may also start to turn a greenish color. The best way to tell if a potato chip is fresh is to smell it. To store leftover chips, Magda suggests the best way is to cool them down as quickly as possible, and keep them covered loosely in the fridge. Why you dont have to eat every food by its best-by label. Despite what people may think, there are foods you can eat past the expiration dates on their labels. And end up with scale chips the next day you can save your More What rather than wad up the chip bag. Your freezer is probably the most sealed and dry place in your kitchen. Patel said you should avoid keeping your ice cream in the freezer door because it's exposed to warm air every time the door is opened. If you find that you often feel sick after eating potato chips, try limiting your intake or choosing a healthier snack option. Comment Expired junk food can make you sick. And if it's just a little wilted, you could always cook or freeze it instead. While eating expired chips is undoubtedly not advisable, it is unlikely to cause serious harm. EGGS A report by food scientist Dana Gunders states that eggs can last for three to five weeks but they have to be kept at a temperature below 5C (41F), to prevent the growth of Salmonella enteritidis. Expiration dates aren't always accurate representations of a food's shelf life, and as your roomie has probably reminded you those labels have been linked to a massive amount of food waste every year. Rebekah Ziesmer, development chef with Conagra Brands, said storing sealed bags of chips in the freezer will keep the snack food fresh and crispy. If you see insects or larvae in the bag of potato chips, it means theyve gone bad. Before the expiration date, certain chips can go stale and have a mushy texture and a flat, rancid taste. Say goodbye to days of throwing out your half-eaten tub of yogurt, because this is another dairy product you can eat after its package labels it "expired." Air Fry the Potatoes: Place potato slices into the air fryer basket in one or two layers. But what if you want to put your will power to the test or you have a cartoonishly huge bag of chips that you don't plan on finishing for weeks or even months? Unopened potato chips can last 6-8 months if stored properly. Can you put takeaway pizza in the fridge? That lack of freshness can completely ruin your chip! Jones says that most of the moisture content is cooked out of the potato, so theres hardly any water left to freeze. How Long Do Unopened Potato Chips Last? - StillTasty The best way is to smell and look at the potato chips: if potato chips develop an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears, they should be discarded. "Cheese develops moisture when it is wrapped too tightly and develops mold and bacteria on the surface.". After around two weeks, your chips will begin to go stale, but they are still safe to eat. Sour milk isnt going to make you ill, and you can actually use it in a few recipes, such as scones, spice cake and pancakes, to use it up instead of needlessly wasting it. Its not hard to come by expired junk food. Tortilla chips aren't going to make you sick after a month, says Gunders, although they might start tasting stale. Not so. Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness. If they sink, theyre fresh; if they dont, throw them away. About 2-3 weeks after the sell by date has passed, an unopened bag of chips will begin to taste stale and/or loose their crunch. Foodie Fitness - Food and Fitness | Best Food and Fitness Blog 2023 Now that you know the best way to roll up that bag of chips, you're well on your way to a better-tasting chip the next time you grab them. This is one of those bizarre, mysterious tricks that doesnt seem like it should work as well as it doesuntil you try it. Can Potato Chips Go Bad? - Foods Questions These chips tend to still be safe to eat. In fact, any food that has been expired for an extended period of time can pose a health risk. Unopened, Doritos can last up to a few months and remain their ideal crispiness. Insider asked several chefs and food-storage experts for their advice on how to properly store common snacks. The Story of the Invention of the Potato Chip Is a Myth This bacteria tends to grow because the nutrients of the chip have broken down. When you put in the freezer, the water content is very low and it probably just freezes the residual water, Mitchell told Lifehacker. In general, its best to err on the side of caution and throw out potato chips that show any signs of spoilage. Crackers? Potato Home Q: How long can home fries stay out in room temperature and still be safe to eat when sealed in a plastic take out container? #5 Use a rubberband. 10 Foods You Can Eat Past The Expiration Date, So Don't Clean - Bustle He had a sister, Catherine "Kate" Speck. Although dry pasta already has a one-to-two-year shelf life, it can actually last much longer than that. Instead, she said it's best to store candy in a cool, dark place inside of a tight-fitting container made of plastic or glass. Symptoms of food poisoning can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. How long do opened potato chips last at room temperature? Tamika Sims, Ph.D., senior director of food technology communications, International Food Information Council, Alyssa Pike, RD, manager of nutrition communications, International Food Information Council, Maya Feller, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., Brooklyn-based registered dietician and nutritionist, This article was originally published on Aug. 31, 2015, Trainers Reveal How Long You Should Rest Between Sets, My Afternoon With Hollywoods Lymphatic Massage Whisperer, Here's How Long To Spend In An Ice Bath To Reap All The Benefits, In The Fight Over Abortion Access, Kiki Freedman Is Playing The Long Game, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. And if you do find something strange in your bag, be sure to report it to the company immediately. Dietician and author Sharon Palmer, R.D.N., told TODAY Food in 2018 that cereals with more fat content (think nuts and oils) could go bad more quickly, though. She also told Insider that microwave popcorn or popcorn kernels can be stored in the freezer keeping them fresh means fewer unpopped kernels. * * * That's the oft-repeated story about the invention of the potato chip. If you eat them after that, its very unlikely that youll suffer any negative health effects, but they might be stale and not taste as good. So if you have any old chips or other snacks lying around, its best to toss them out and not take the risk. This Is What Happens When You Eat Potato Chips Eat This Not That The gas displaces oxygen from the bag, which is then filled with chips and sealed. Food poisoning, also known as foodborne illness, is a condition that results from eating contaminated food. Now roll the fold over so that the seams of the bag are wrapped up in the center. This is why its important to always wash your hands and keep food clean and sealed when youre not eating it.