13 Foods You Should Never Eat Past the Expiration Date

Expiration dates aren’t just suggestions—especially for certain high-risk foods. While many items can still be safe after their “best before” date, others become dangerous quickly and should never be consumed once expired.

Here are two of the most overlooked but risky foods on the list:

12. Sprouts

Sprouts grow in warm, humid conditions, which also happen to be ideal for harmful bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria.

Even when they look fresh, bacteria may already be present

Refrigeration does not reliably stop bacterial growth

Cooking reduces risk, but raw sprouts remain high-risk

Safety tip:
Eat within 2 days of purchase, or avoid entirely if you are:

Pregnant

Elderly

Immunocompromised

When in doubt, skip them.

13. Shellfish

Raw shellfish—especially oysters—are extremely time-sensitive.

Should be eaten within 24 hours of purchase

Spoil quickly even when refrigerated

Can harbor Vibrio vulnificus, a bacterium that can cause severe illness or death

Never eat shellfish if you notice:

A strong or sour odor

Slimy texture

Shells that remain open and don’t close when tapped

These are immediate discard signs—no exceptions.

Final Note

When it comes to high-risk foods, expiration dates exist for a reason. Unlike dry or shelf-stable items, these foods can become dangerous without obvious warning signs.