Anytime you buy food that comes in a can, jar, or plastic pouch, there’s some risk of spoilage. That’s because these types of packaging can’t be sealed airtight like a glass or metal jar. Instead, they have one of several different forms of seals to help reduce the risk of spoilage and increase shelf life. These include vacuum sealing, nitrogen packing, and ethylene oxide as a secondary additive for extending shelf life even further. There are plenty of reasons why you might have opened a jar or can and then not used it for quite some time. Perhaps you were saving it for a rainy day (and in this case, it’s been raining), or perhaps you forgot about it after putting it away somewhere in your pantry. Whatever the reason, now you want to know if it’s safe to eat. Keep reading to learn more about how to tell if Velveeta has gone bad — and what to do with expired cheese if that’s the case!
Will Expired Velveeta Make You Sick?
Yes, it might make you sick because expired Velveeta may contain harmful bacteria. According to Kraft Foods, the manufacturer of Velveeta, the cheese should be good for up to 14 months after the “sell by” date on the package. But it’s best to discard expired Velveeta to avoid any potential health risks.
Is It Safe To Eat After The Expiration Date?
1. What You Need To Know About Expiration Dates
Expiration dates are placed on food items to help you determine when they are no longer safe to eat. You can find these dates on the back of the package, on the bottom of the product, or on a small sticker stuck inside the packaging. The date is usually located at the top of a shelf-life chart, which indicates how long you should use up various types of food before it starts to spoil.
2. What Causes The Expiration Date To Change
The dates on your food are not always accurate, and can sometimes change over time. This is because the conditions that affect shelf life can vary from place to place. For example, one store might have more humidity than another, resulting in a longer shelf life for their products. Similarly, the temperature at which you store your food can change how long it stays fresh. If you live in a warm climate with high humidity levels, you might want to keep food in the refrigerator (or freezer) to help reduce the chances of spoilage. On the other hand, if you live in a cold climate with low humidity levels, you might want to store your food in a cool, dry place.
3. How To Tell If Your Food Has Gone Bad
When checking your food for spoilage, first make sure that the expiration date is at least a year away from when it was purchased. You can do this by using the shelf life chart on the packaging or by checking the ingredients list on the back of the product. The shelf-life chart will give you an idea of how long each type of food will stay fresh and safe to eat. You may also want to check each ingredient on the packaging label to see if there are any preservatives added or any other signs that it’s not safe to eat anymore.
4. What To Do If Your Food Is Bad After Expiration
If you find that your food has gone bad after its expiration date has passed, then be sure to dispose of it. You should also try to return it to the store where you purchased it so that they can take back the product and refund your money. You might also want to talk to a lawyer about filing a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the food.
When Is Velveeta No Longer Safe To Eat?
1. Expiration Dates
The first thing to keep in mind is that these types of cheese are not meant to last forever. In fact, the FDA has strict guidelines for how long they should keep their original flavor. For example, as of this writing, Kraft Foods states on their website that Velveeta must be eaten within 3 months of opening the can or jar. If it’s been more than a month since you opened it, then there’s a chance that the cheese may have gone bad — and you should probably throw it out (and be sure to check the expiration date on other types of food as well)!
2. Smell And Texture Changes
If you notice something odd about your Velveeta — perhaps it doesn’t smell or taste quite right — then it’s time to do some detective work! The easiest way to do this is by poking around the can or jar with your finger. If there’s any kind of mold on the surface, then it’s time to toss it! However, if the cheese doesn’t have a strong odor or if it still has its original texture, then you can begin to think about eating it. If you’re concerned that the cheese/dressing is spoiled, then you should go ahead and throw some out — but don’t let your curiosity get the best of you!
3. Mold Growth On Top Of The Cheese
If your Velveeta has any type of mold on top of it (or if there are any signs of mold elsewhere), then you should definitely toss it out. Mold is a sign that something isn’t right with food, and not only does it make people sick — but it can also make other types of food unsafe to eat as well. As mentioned above, this includes bread and baked goods such as cookies, cakes, pastries, etc. This is why when we open any type of packaged food, we always make sure to check the expiration date first.
4. Velveeta Smells Bad
If you have opened a can of cheese and it smells terrible, then you should definitely throw it out. The smell could be coming from anywhere — mold, bacteria, excess moisture, or even spoiled milk. If the smell is coming from the cheese and not another place in your home (such as your refrigerator), then you should take that can of cheese to a store that sells dairy products and ask them to help you identify the problem. They will likely run a few tests on it to determine what’s wrong with it before they tell you what’s going on — but if it’s something bad, then they should be able to help!
Is It Safe To Eat After The Sell-By Date?
1. When To Throw Away Food.
If something has gone bad, it’s best to get rid of it as soon as possible. This is true even if you think the food might still be edible — and if you’re worried about someone else eating it, that’s a good reason to get rid of it! Food spoilage can spread quickly, so if you don’t get rid of it in a timely manner, it could cause illness later on. If after the expiration date your food turns out to be safe to eat, there are some things you can do with it. For example:
2. Is Velveeta Good For You?
Velveeta is mainly made up of water, salt, and whey protein. It’s a good source of calcium and protein, but it doesn’t contain many other nutrients. It’s typically used as a cheese substitute, so it makes a nice addition to dishes like macaroni and cheese or lasagna. If you think you might be able to eat some of the food, you can use the chart below to determine if it is safe for consumption.
3. What To Do With Expired Cheese.
If you’re not sure if some of your food is still good, the best thing to do is to throw it out. This way you can be sure that no one else will eat it and that you won’t be tempted to try it. You can use the chart below to see if your food is still safe to eat — and then get rid of it.
Tips For Knowing If Your Cheese Has Gone Bad
- Smell It. If the cheese smells bad, then it probably has gone bad. Discard any food that smells off or like it has gone bad.
- Look at It. If you’re not sure if your food has gone bad, look at it for yourself! You can always throw the food into the trash, but you don’t want to eat something that could be potentially poisonous or even dangerous to your health if it’s expired.
- Carefully Inspect It for Bacteria and Mold. You can use a flashlight or other light source to inspect your cheese for mold and bacteria before eating it. If you see any of these contaminants, then throw the cheese away immediately because they could cause an illness or even make you very sick in some cases!
- Check the Date Marking on The Container of Your Food for Expiration Dates and Routinely Store Your Food Properly for Longer Shelf Life! Keep in mind that all foods should be stored in a cool, dark place and out of direct sunlight. This will help prevent spoilage and keep your food safe to eat for longer periods of time.
Bottom Line
As long as it’s kept in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, and you make sure to consume it within a few weeks (or a few days if possible), Velveeta will stay fresh for a long time. When in doubt, throw it out. Keep these things in mind, and you’ll be able to tell when it’s gone bad — and when it’s safe to eat.
