Medical experts advising Real Simple magazine identify six food items that pose health risks when consumed after their “use by” dates expire. While many nonperishable foods remain safe past “sell by” dates used by stores for freshness, doctors say these specific items should never be eaten once expired: raw meat, raw fish and seafood, deli meat and cold cuts, packaged salads, unpasteurized cheeses, and mushrooms. Unlike “sell by” dates that help supermarkets maintain fresh inventory on shelves, “use by” dates indicate actual safety limits for perishable products. Health professionals emphasize that while some expired foods may cause no immediate harm, these six categories carry significant contamination risks that can lead to foodborne illness. (Story URL)
PHONE TOPIC: Tell us about the oldest expired item you’ve ever found in your fridge
