Can You Get Sick From Eating Expired Yogurt?

Have you ever reached into your fridge, grabbed a container of yogurt, only to realize it’s past its expiration date? The dilemma of whether to eat or toss expired yogurt is a common one. 

While some may bravely take a spoonful and hope for the best, others hesitate, fearing the potential consequences. But just how risky is it to consume yogurt after it has expired? Can that innocent cup of dairy unleash stomach-churning bacteria? Will it send you running to the nearest bathroom? 

Let’s dive into the world of expired yogurt. We’ll see if this creamy treat can go from a gut-friendly snack to a stomach-churning disaster. In this brief guide, we will answer the question “Can you get sick from eating expired yogurt?” We will do this with a deep analysis of the health effects of eating expired yogurt. 

So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.

Can You Get Sick From Eating Expired Yogurt?

Yes, consuming expired yogurt can potentially make you sick, depending on how long it has been expired and how it has been stored. Expired yogurt may have harmful bacteria. This includes E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. They can cause food poisoning and other illnesses.

The risk of getting sick from expired yogurt increases the longer it has been expired. The texture, smell, and taste of the yogurt can change over time, indicating that it is no longer safe to eat. If you notice any signs of spoilage, such as orange mold growth on yogurt or an off smell, it’s best to discard the yogurt.

Yogurt’s Shelf Life

Once opened, yogurt should be consumed within 5-7 days for optimal freshness and flavor. However, it’s important to note that these are general guidelines, and the actual shelf life of yogurt can vary. The yogurt’s shelf life can be affected by things like preservatives, the packaging, and the storage temperature.

To maximize the shelf life of yogurt, it’s crucial to store it in the refrigerator at all times, even before opening. Additionally, make sure to keep yogurt away from other strong-smelling foods to prevent it from absorbing odors. If you notice any signs of spoilage, like a bad smell, mold, or liquid separating, throw out the yogurt. This will help you avoid the risk of food poisoning.

Eating expired yogurt that has gone bad can give you foodborne illnesses. But, it’s worth noting that, instead of the “expiration date,”  you will find a “best by” or “best before date” on the packet of yogurt. So what we are referring to by expired yogurt here is basically the yogurt that has gone bad.

The “best by” or “best before” date that is written on the pack of yogurt refers to quality rather than safety. The yogurt doesn’t necessarily go bad immediately after the best before date. 

This date refers to the time during which you can enjoy the peak quality and flavor of the yogurt, but you can still eat yogurt that is past this date as long as it was stored properly.

Moreover, if we talk about the sell-by date of the yogurt, then yogurt is safe to eat 2-3 weeks past the “sell-by” date provided that it was stored properly in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

How Do You Know the Yogurt Has Gone Bad?

Therefore, you should do a sensory evaluation of your frosting to reach a final verdict if it is still safe to consume or not.

Certain indicators point out bad yogurt. You should consider the appearance, texture, smell, and taste of the yogurt to reach a final verdict on whether or not it has gone bad.

1. Appearance

Moreover, if you spot pink mold in your yogurt, it means that it has gone bad, and you should discard the whole yogurt in this case.

2. Texture

If your yogurt is lumpy, curdled, or has a watery layer on top, it is past its prime.

3. Smell

If you smell an intense, sour, or foul smell while sniffing your yogurt, then it’s gone bad. The best thing to do in this case is to get rid of it.

4. Taste

If you feel something funky or unpleasant while tasting a bit of your yogurt, then it points out a bad yogurt, and it is better to toss it out.

Yogurt is a highly nutritious commodity and belongs to the dairy group. It has many macro and micronutrients present in its formulation. But it is also highly perishable. If not stored properly, bacteria will spoil it.

When you eat contaminated food, there is a delay before illness symptoms become clear. This delay may last from hours to days. It depends on how many and what kind of microbes you consume. 

How can you tell if yogurt has gone bad?

Symptoms of Food Poisoning after Eating Expired Yogurt

Food poisoning comes from eating expired or bad yogurt. It causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, belly pain, weakness, and a mild fever. 

1. Diarrhea is an indication in the body that a certain obnoxious agent has entered it. So consumption of expired yogurt often causes diarrhea. Therefore, you should drink plenty of water to compensate for the water loss that the body experiences owing to diarrhea.
2. Food poisoning after consuming yogurt that has expired is characterized by abdominal pain. Abdominal pain and cramps may likewise take place in the wake of devouring expired yogurt. 

3. If you have eaten bad yogurt, you will feel nauseated and vomit. This is the body’s natural defense to get rid of the harmful substance.
4. Consuming yogurt that has expired will also raise your body temperature, and you can experience fever, which is the natural defense mechanism of your body and is the indicator that something is off with your body.

Vomiting and diarrhea can cause an electrolyte imbalance in the body. They can lead to severe dehydration, dizziness, flushed skin, and weakness. It is advised to drink plenty of water to save the body from dehydration, as severe dehydration can even lead to shock.

There is no doubt, eating old yogurt is risky. But, some groups are more vulnerable to food poisoning and its harm. They are

1. Elderly people, especially those who are over the age of 65.
2. Children that are under 5 have weaker immune system is weak as compared to the adults
3. Pregnant women
4. They have a weak immune system. They are already suffering from diseases like HIV. Or, they recently got a transplant or had surgery.

Tips to Properly Store Yogurt

1. Once you open the package of your yogurt, store the rest in an air-tight container or jar. Put it in the fridge at or below 40°F. 
2. Store your yogurt on a shelf in the refrigerator. The door has big temperature swings that can mess up the yogurt.
3. You should not leave your yogurt at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour if the outside temperature is more than 90 degrees Fahrenheit). Bacteria grow faster between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If yogurt sits out for over 2 hours, it’s likely already contaminated. Eating such bacteria-laden yogurt can cause many foodborne illnesses.