What happens if you drink expired milk

Corey Williams is a food writer for MyRecipes and Allrecipes. She has a decade of journalism experience. You're probably here because you've just consumed milk that's past its expiration date or you are considering consuming milk that's past its expiration date or smelling a little off.

Milk can stay safe to consume for several days past the expiration date. Expiration dates relate to quality rather than safety. The smell and appearance of milk are clear indicators if it is bad. There are many types of expiration dates on food and drink products, which can be confusing. Producers of milk typically pasteurize it to kill off bacteria before selling it. However, milk can still spoil and become unsafe for consumption.

What happens if you drink expired milk

Your best bet for enjoying your milk for longer is to store it well. There are plenty of myths and misunderstandings surrounding the use by or best before dates on bottles or cartons of milk, but the simple fact of the matter is, your best judge of whether your milk has gone bad or not is the ever-reliable sniff test. There is a difference between the use by date and the best before date on food products, including milk. The use by date tells consumers when a food item should be consumed or used by. A best before date tells you when a food item may start to lose some freshness or quality, but it can still be perfectly fine and safe to eat after that date. As a country, we discard of hundreds and thousands of tonnes of milk each year, often because people trust use by dates over smell and taste. Discover how much food we waste annually with our blogpost , and for more information about milk and its benefits, visit our website. Food for Thought Can you drink milk past its expiration date? Can you drink milk past its expiration date? How long does milk last after its use by date? How best to store milk? Be sure to transfer to a suitable container before freezing, and defrost in the fridge for a minimum of 24 hours.

We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Milk consumption is a hotly debated topic. Create profiles for personalised advertising.

There's a reason people commonly scrutinize milk before they buy it: it's one of those notorious grocery items that could potentially go bad before you can finish it. It's not uncommon for milk to end up at the back of the fridge, only to tiptoe past its expiration date without anybody noticing. While there are ways to tell if your milk has spoiled , someone in the house might not notice before pouring it into their bowl of cereal or taking a large gulp. What exactly would happen if you drank spoiled milk? Besides an instant feeling of regret set off by the noticeably sour taste in your mouth, not much would happen if you only took one accidental sip. The real potential for harm comes into play when you drink a whole cup of it. According to the Missouri Poison Center , the bacteria present in spoiled milk can impact your digestive system like common food-borne illnesses, and you're likely to face symptoms that include stomach cramping, diarrhea, and vomiting.

In fact, most milks can be consumed several days past the date printed on the label. This article explains what the date on your milk means and how long milk is safe to drink after the printed date. Some states regulate if and how expiration dates on milk should be labeled, but these regulations differ between states 4. This means you may see several types of dates on your milk carton — none of which indicate food safety 3 :. Therefore, the printed date can give you an idea of when the quality will start to decline. In the United States, most milk purchased from the grocery store has been pasteurized 5.

What happens if you drink expired milk

We've all been in this situation: You grab the milk to pour in your coffee or bowl of cereal, only to notice the date on the package has already passed. But instead of automatically pouring it down the drain, you may ask, "How long is milk good for after the expiration date? And how can I tell if milk is bad? First, it's important to understand what those numbers on the bottle of milk actually mean. With the exception of infant formula, you may be surprised to learn that the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service doesn't even require dating on products. As a result, the dates found on milk can vary by manufacturer, and the numbers you're seeing might not be an expiration date at all, even if they sound like they are. According to the FSIS , there are four types of dates you may see:. There are no official recommendations, but the general rule of thumb is as follows:. Milk may still be good after these timelines, so it's always best to check for signs of spoilage before consuming. Also, be aware that these timelines apply to pasteurized milk, which is what you'll find in the grocery store.

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What it is Spoiled vs. That said, you could end up with expired or spoiled milk if your milk is stored or handled incorrectly — but there are a few key ways to tell. Most people are immediately turned off once they've taken a sip of milk that's past its prime. Corey Williams is a food writer for MyRecipes and Allrecipes. The 7 Best Substitutes for Sour Cream. DAX 17, Odor : Sour milk smells, well, sour. Leaving milk out on the counter is one of the riskiest things you can do, especially in warm environments. It's freshest until that date, but since that date doesn't indicate safety, it may be safe to drink up to a week later if stored in a cold refrigerator. Kitchen Tips Well Fed. These choices will be signaled to our partners and will not affect browsing data. Medically reviewed by Jenneh Rishe, RN.

A strong sour smell may be an indication that your milk has spoiled. While drinking it can cause food poisoning, you can still use spoiled milk in culinary recipes and reduce food waste.

The smell and appearance of milk are clear indicators if it is bad. Be sure to transfer to a suitable container before freezing, and defrost in the fridge for a minimum of 24 hours. You can tell if milk is bad by checking the smell, color, consistency and taste. With proper handling, all products should remain safe after any of these dates. Your doctor can test for potentially harmful germs like Salmonella or E. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Use limited data to select advertising. As long as the milk isn't moldy or showing other signs of significant spoilage, you can still use it for baking projects such as quick breads and cakes , as well as for marinating meats. Latest stories. Infant formula is one exception that the FSIS does regulate because it can be unsafe after the use-by date.