Guidelines for Quickly Identifying Food that Should be Thrown Away

Food poisoning is a common issue and one of the main causes is the consumption of expired food. Therefore, it is crucial to be able to identify whether the food is still safe to use or not. There are simple methods to determine the freshness of different types of food. Here are some ways to identify the freshness of 9 common types of food.

Milk

Even if the expiration date for fresh milk has passed, it can still be used within 1 week from the printed expiration date on the carton. This applies to 1%, 2% milk, and skimmed milk. Opened fresh milk should be used within 24 hours or 2 to 3 days, stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of about 40.4 degrees F. It is not recommended to store milk in the refrigerator door as it has unstable temperature, making it unsuitable for milk preservation.

Liquid, paste spices

– Unopened tomato sauce can be stored for 1 year at room temperature and about 1 month in the refrigerator after opening.

– Mayonnaise can be stored for 4 months at room temperature, 3 months in the refrigerator after opening.

If you notice changes in texture or taste of the above 2 spices after a period of use, it is best to dispose of them.

– Soy sauce: if opened, it should be used within a maximum of 3 years, if unopened, soy sauce has almost no expiration date.

– Ketchup: expiration date of 2 years if unopened and 1 year if opened.

– Tabasco sauce: when the color of the sauce becomes darker, it’s time to discard it.

Watermelon

For watermelons, the exterior may vary depending on the type, but the flesh should always be pink or dark red. If you cut open a watermelon and find that the flesh is dry, mushy, pale pink, white pink, or sticky, then the watermelon is too old or spoiled. Fresh, good watermelons always have a fragrant, fresh, and sweet smell.

Ground beef

Ground beef can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 days or a few months in the freezer. However, if you notice that the meat has a darker color, slimy texture, or a sour smell, it is best to discard it.

Smoked meat

If properly stored, smoked meat can be kept in the refrigerator for 2 weeks when unopened. However, if the smoked meat has a blue/green color, is soft, slimy, or has an odd smell, it is best not to consume it.

Eggs

Eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 weeks and in the freezer for 1 year. To check if eggs are fresh, you can place them in a glass or bowl of water. If the eggs sink to the bottom, they are still fresh to use, but if they float, they are old and should be discarded.

Almonds

Almonds can be stored for a maximum of 2 to 4 weeks in a closed container after opening. For longer shelf life, store them in a dark, cool place, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 year. However, if you find black spots on the almond shell or they feel hardened, it means they are old and unfit for consumption.

Olive oil

Olive oil has a shelf life of 1 to 2 years when stored at room temperature. However, it can spoil if stored in a hot environment with direct sunlight. It is recommended to store olive oil in the refrigerator, where it may appear cloudy or solidify over time. However, the oil will return to its normal texture after heating.

Yogurt

Unopened yogurt can be stored for 1 week in the refrigerator, and 5 days if opened. If you find any signs of mold or a slightly changed color after opening the yogurt, it is best to discard it.

(Source: brightside)