When is it acceptable to use food that has passed its expiration date?

The notion that food should never be used after its expiration date is rooted in safety and quality standards. Expiration dates are typically established based on scientific research assessing how long food maintains its safety, quality, and nutritional value. Consuming food beyond this date can increase the risk of foodborne illness due to potential microbial growth or deterioration of the food.

Choosing to discard food that has passed its expiration date helps maintain safety standards in food handling and preparation. While some individuals may argue that food that looks and smells fine could still be safe, this approach ignores the fact that certain pathogens can grow without noticeable changes in appearance or smell. The expiration date serves as a critical guideline for ensuring food safety, which is particularly important in a professional food service environment where health and safety regulations must be strictly followed.

In a commercial setting, adherence to expiration dates prevents liability and promotes consumer trust. Hence, the safest practice is to discard food that has surpassed its expiration date, ensuring that only safe, high-quality food is served to customers.