Just like any food, bacon can quickly get spoiled if it is not stored properly. It must be discarded right away if it has passed its expiration date (indicated on the package).
Bacon’s shelf life depends on a lot of things, like the type, how it’s stored, and whether it’s been opened or cooked. Youll notice that most varieties have a sell-by date printed right on the package.
To be clear, this date doesn’t always show how long bacon can be used and eaten without getting sick. It may simply mean the date till which bacon can be kept on the shelves for sale.
Bacon is beloved by many for its savory, smokey flavor and crispy texture Who doesn’t love a few strips of bacon with breakfast? But like all foods, bacon doesn’t last forever. Those use by dates on the package are there for a reason So what happens if you discover an unopened pack of bacon that’s passed its use by date? Is it still safe to cook up and eat? Or is it time to reluctantly toss the bacon in the trash?
Below we’ll explore what that use by date really means, signs that bacon has spoiled, safety tips for consuming past date foods, and steps to take if you get sick after eating expired bacon.
Understanding Use By Dates
First, let’s demystify what that use by date actually indicates. This date is different than a sell by date.
A use by date, also called a best by date, tells you when the product will be at peak quality and flavor. The USDA recommends using or freezing bacon by this date for best taste.
However, that doesn’t necessarily mean the bacon is dangerous to eat right after the use by date. It just may start to decline in freshness or lose some texture.
Food safety experts say unopened bacon can typically last 1-2 weeks past its use by date before significant risk of spoilage sets in But how can you tell if your expired bacon is still OK to cook up?
Signs Bacon Has Spoiled
Here are some key signs your bacon has gone bad and should be thrown out:
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Slimy texture – Fresh bacon feels firm. Slime means bacteria growth.
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Off odors – Bacon should smell mildly meaty. Rancid or sour smells mean spoilage.
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Discoloration – Grayish, greenish or brown hues indicate bacteria spread.
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Mold – Toss immediately if you see mold growing.
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Expired date – Bacon more than 1-2 weeks past its use by date has higher risk of bacteria.
Trust your senses. If bacon looks, smells or feels off, don’t risk eating it. Safety first.
Can You Cook Expired Bacon? Safety Tips
Eating bacon past its prime increases your risk of foodborne illness. But generally, if it’s been refrigerated and the package is intact, bacon within 1-2 weeks of its use by date can still be safely cooked and eaten if you take precautions. Here are some safety tips:
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Inspect closely and look for any signs of spoilage before cooking.
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Cook until crispy to kill any bacteria present.
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Make sure the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Use a food thermometer.
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Cook within 1-2 days of opening package. Don’t let sit in fridge.
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Avoid serving to those with compromised immune systems. Higher risk.
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Consider cooking in a recipe rather than eating plain. Acidity may neutralize bacteria.
Again, your nose knows best. If it smells funky while cooking, it’s not worth the risk.
What If You Get Sick After Eating Expired Bacon?
Food poisoning symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and cramps may set in within hours or up to days after eating bad bacon.
If you suspect you’re sick from eating expired or spoiled bacon, stop eating it immediately. Discard remaining bacon to prevent others from getting sick.
Drink plenty of fluids and get rest, but seek medical treatment right away if you experience:
- High fever over 101°F
- Bloody stool
- Prolonged vomiting preventing fluid intake
- Signs of dehydration like dizziness or fainting
Notify your doctor that you ate expired bacon so they can properly diagnose and treat your foodborne illness.
In severe cases, you may need hospitalization for dehydration or infection treatment. Don’t take chances with your health. Seek help promptly.
How to Store Bacon Properly
To avoid having packages of bacon languishing past their prime in your fridge, store them properly from the start:
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Store unopened bacon in original packaging until ready to use.
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Once opened, rewrap tightly in plastic wrap or place in a resealable bag.
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Keep bacon on a lower shelf away from fresh produce, which emits ethylene gas that hastens spoilage.
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Make sure your fridge temperature is set to 40°F or below. Use a refrigerator thermometer to monitor.
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Use opened bacon within 5-7 days. Freeze remainder if you won’t use within a week.
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Look for changes in color, texture and smell each time you use the bacon. If in doubt, throw it out.
Proper refrigeration and an airtight seal are key to maximize bacon’s shelf life once opened.
Freezing Bacon Until Ready to Use
Freezing unopened bacon by the use by date is an easy way to extend its shelf life. Frozen properly, bacon can keep for 1-2 months in the freezer before quality declines. Here are some freezing tips:
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Double check package is intact with no tears.
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Wrap the original bacon package in aluminum foil or place inside a resealable plastic freezer bag.
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Remove as much air as possible and seal tightly.
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Label package with freeze date and “use by” date.
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Freeze immediately at 0°F or below. Use freezer thermometer to verify temp.
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Once thawed, use within 5-7 days. Do not refreeze.
With proper freeze storage, you can enjoy bacon for weeks past its use by date.
Signs of Freezer Burn
Bacon that has significant freezer burn or ice crystals should be discarded. Freezer burn causes oxidation and rancid flavors. Signs include:
- Dry, shriveled bacon slices
- Discoloration – often brownish or grayish tint
- Freezer burn holes or lesions on slices
- Off odors once thawed
- Taste of rancid fat when cooked
Severely freezer burned bacon poses increased risk of pathogenic bacteria growth. Don’t take chances – if you see or smell freezer burn, toss it.
Summary – Should You Eat Bacon After Its Use By Date?
Here are the key takeaways on consuming bacon past its use by date:
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Unopened, refrigerated bacon can typically be safely eaten within 1-2 weeks past the use by date.
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Inspect closely for any signs of spoilage like odor, sliminess or mold before cooking.
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Cook expired bacon thoroughly until crispy to kill bacteria. Check internal temp.
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Eat within 1-2 days of opening. Don’t let sit in fridge.
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Freeze unopened bacon by its use by date if you won’t use it within a week.
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If bacon has an off smell, color or slime, don’t risk eating it – throw it out!
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Seek medical help promptly if you experience food poisoning symptoms after eating expired bacon.
While not recommended, consuming bacon shortly past its use by date is generally safe if handled properly. But always remember – when in doubt, throw it out! Don’t risk getting sick from bacon that’s clearly past its prime.
How will I know if bacon has gone bad?
A general guideline is provided by the expiration date printed on a package of unopened bacon. The date usually serves as a reliable guide for when to use fresh meat products. The printed date on the original package is no longer useful information, though, if the sealed package is broken or stored in less-than-ideal conditions.
- If the bacon smells bad, changes color, or feels slimy, it’s probably going bad. If you’re not sure, throw it away.
- Bacon may go bad if it is left out at room temperature or in the fridge for too long. So, when you buy bacon or bacon that has already been cooked, look at how dry or wet it looks.
- Check how much moisture is still present on the surface. If the bacon looks slimy and smells bad, you know it’s gone bad.
- The meats color should also be noted. Spoiled meats are darker in color.
Four common signs of bad bacon include:
- Dryness
- Sour smell
- Dark brownish-red color
- Smell like rotten eggs
Sometimes, overnight storage of cooked bacon is possible without it spoiling. Although its not always the case, you should double-check. Its very simple to identify spoiled cooked bacon. To tell if bacon is bad, you can use your gut, your sense of smell, or your sense of touch.
- Smell: Cooked bacon that has gone bad has a smell that is both unpleasant and reminiscent of rotten chicken.
- Color: Bacon strips that have gone bad will turn a gray or green color. Mold or spots of black and white will sometimes show up on the surface.
- Feel: The slimy feel is another sign that the bacon isn’t good.
- When you pick up raw bacon, it should feel sticky because it is made of raw meat. However, raw bacon shouldnt feel slimy.
- If your hands have a white film from being too wet when you put the slice down, it is too late. The bacon already has bacteria on it that will make you sick and could even give you food poisoning.
- The smell of bacon, which can be very sour and bitter, can help you tell if it is bad. When it’s cold, raw meat shouldn’t smell like meat.
- If you don’t cook the bacon right away, it will turn blue, green, and sometimes even gray brown. If you take the bacon out of the package and see any of these colors, throw it away and wash your hands.
Can you get food poisoning from tainted bacon?
The U. S. The Department of Agriculture has rules that say food cooked at 40 degrees can only be kept for a short time, about two hours. Bacteria will begin to grow and spread on it after this period.
Food poisoning can occur after consuming tainted food. To avoid unfavorable circumstances, you should adhere to the standard guidelines for cooked bacon.
Bacon that has been used up after a meal should be put in the fridge instead of being left out at room temperature. Additionally, leaving bacon outside the refrigerator will alter the texture from the start. It will lose its freshness and turn chewy.
Can You Use Bacon After Use By Date?
Can you eat bacon past its use-by date?
The short answer is no, you should not eat bacon past its use-by date. The use-by date is there for a reason – to indicate when a product may no longer be safe to eat. Even if the package is unopened, bacteria can still be present and may continue to grow beyond the use-by date.
Can you eat bacon if it has expired?
The USDA advises tossing bacon that has exceeded its “use by” date. It’s important to note that even if the bacon looks and smells fine after the “use by” date, it may not be safe to eat. If there is no date on the package, you can use your senses to determine if the bacon is still good.
What is a “sell by” date for Bacon?
The “sell by” date is simply a guide for retailers to know when to remove the product from their shelves. Bacon can still be safe to eat up to 7 days past its “sell by” date if it has been properly stored. On the other hand, the “use by” date is the date by which the bacon should be consumed.
What happens if you eat bacon after 3 days?
In case the vomiting and diarrhea persist for more than 3 days or the symptoms worsen, you should seek immediate medical help. It’s worth mentioning that when it comes to bacon, you will find a “sell by” and “use-by” date on it rather than an expiry date.
Why is Bacon so good after use by date?
What makes bacon so delicious and addicting is its fat content. The fat is responsible for giving the meat its tasty flavor. In addition, the fat helps the meat become crispy but tender while cooking. How Long After Use By Date Is Chicken Good (And Why)? How Long After Use by Date is Ground Turkey Good (And Why)?
What does the expiration date on Bacon mean?
The expiration date is there for a reason – to indicate when the bacon is no longer safe to consume. However, it’s important to note that there are two types of dates on bacon packaging: “sell by” and “use by”. The “sell by” date is simply a guide for retailers to know when to remove the product from their shelves.