Chips are a highly indulgent snack and they make late-night working easy. But, what happens if you are hungry at night and a bag of expired chips is all you have?
I believe you want to know if you can still eat it. The possibility of eating expired chips depends on the expiration date. Most store-bought snacks can still be eaten a few weeks past the printed date.
But are there any likely risks in eating expired chips? Find out in this article.
How long do chips last after the expiration date?
Chips are still safe to eat two months after the expiration date. However, this is for unopened bags of chips. Open bags of chips must be consumed within 1 to 2 weeks.
To keep your chips at the best quality and maximize their shelf life, keep the packs tightly sealed.
How to tell chips are expired
The best way for you to tell if your chips are expired is to first look at them carefully, smell them, and taste them.
If you notice your chips have developed a foul odor or an off flavor, it is an indication that they are expired.
Also, mold growth and discoloration are signs that chips have expired and should not be eaten. In addition, if you notice it has lost its crunchiness and has become soft and sour, it is a clue that your chips are expired.
Can frozen chips expire?
Yes, they can. Frozen chips will only expire if you take them out of the freezer and do not eat them within hours.
The chips may not be unhealthy to eat, but they won’t be palatable either. If you’re not ready to eat frozen chips immediately, keep them in the refrigerator. Also, keep them tightly sealed.
Can chocolate chips expire?
Yes, they can. Chocolate chips expire quickly when you leave them open. On the other hand, unopened packs can last for about two to four months. It lasts even longer when you keep it safe in a refrigerator.
Expired chocolate chips are safe to eat if there is mold growth or discoloration. They may be chewy and unappetizing.
Can potato chips expire?
All branded and packaged foods will eventually expire, and this includes potato chips. If you leave them unopened, they can stay at their best quality for two to three months.
Although they may be safe to eat, they will taste unpalatable. If you don’t mind chips that are not crispy, then you can eat them.
Can tortilla chips expire?
Tortilla chips have low moisture content but they expire. Homemade tortilla chips expire faster than store-bought tortilla chips. But, both varieties do not expire quickly because of the low moisture content.
Can corn chips expire?
Corn chips expire when you do not store them properly. An open pack of corn chips will expire faster than an unopened pack.
Always keep open packs of corn chips tightly sealed and refrigerated.
Do chips expire if not opened?
Yes, they do. Most brands have a sell-by date. If you do not eat your chips before the sell-by date, you’ll notice the chips lose crunchiness, taste, and even flavor.
Sometimes it may be possible for you to enjoy the chips after the sell-by date, but two to three weeks after the change in its quality will be evident. If you want to enjoy it after the sell-by date, you can properly store it to extend its shelf life.
To prolong its life, keep the chips in cool, dark, and dry places. Humid environments will make your bag of chips stale, and you do not want that.
Can expired chips make you sick?
Eating expired chips can make you sick. The truth about expiry dates is that they are not usually a sign of safety. They rather tell you when the quality of food begins to decline.
You may eat expired chips but you must be careful because you may ingest bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
Some expired chips can expose you to harmful bacteria like salmonella. This bacteria can be found in old chips and its effect manifests as food poisoning symptoms.
These symptoms include:
- vomiting
- nausea
- diarrhea
- stomach cramps
- chills
- fever
- arterial infection, arthritis, nervous system issues, and inflammation of the heart lining in severe cases of salmonella infection
FAQs
What can you do with expired chips?
You can throw them away if they have molds. If they do not have molds, you can fry them again to make them crispy.
Can you eat expired Fritos?
Expired Fritos are safe to eat as long as they remain unopened till the day you want to eat them. Store-bought chips can last weeks and months after the expiration date.
However, you must carefully inspect the chips for signs of spoilage before you eat them.
Can you eat expired Doritos?
Yes, you can eat expired Doritos if they have been unopened. Unopened Doritos can last a few months after their expiration date. They may not be as crisp as fresh Doritos but they won’t be harmful either.
Conclusion
If you buy chips with an expiration date, follow the instructions on the package. If you open your bag of chips and find molds in them, please discard them.
It would be best if you enjoyed fries that are salty and crispy. Be careful before eating expired chips, even though it’s not likely to hurt you if you’re not pregnant.
Thank you for reading.
You can always check out more related articles on Millenora.
