What happens if you drink expired milk

Your best bet for enjoying your milk for longer is to store it well.

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:.

What happens if you drink expired milk

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. As in other cases of food poisoning, these symptoms commonly resolve themselves within 12 to 24 hours of ingestion, though it is advisable to seek medical attention in the rare case that they persist longer than that. The most effective way to avoid drinking spoiled milk is to understand how it gets spoiled in the first place. The simple explanation is that milk, like many foods, contains bacteria, which have the potential to multiply in the milk at dangerous rates, resulting in spoilage. Most milk in the United States is pasteurized, which eliminates many of — but not all — the harmful pathogens commonly found in fresh milk. One of the best ways to prevent the growth of these bacteria once you've opened the milk is to store it properly. Leaving milk out on the counter is one of the riskiest things you can do, especially in warm environments. Instead, properly seal the milk and put it back in a fridge set at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit immediately after use, per the USDA's recommendations on food storage safety. Additionally, it's important to minimize contact between dirty surfaces and the spout of the carton or bottle.

Pasteurization kills off most but not all bacteria in milk, which can continue to grow after processing. Fresh milk has barely any odor — and what odor it does have is not unpleasant.

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.

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. Either way, here's what you need to know. There's a big difference between "sell-by" and "use-by" labels. The sell-by date exists to tell grocery stores and consumers when the carton or jug should leave shelves because it is approaching its peak freshness.

What happens if you drink expired milk

The date on the outside of the carton might not exactly reflect how fresh or spoiled your milk is. That's the "sell-by" date, which isn't an indicator of safety, and the milk inside still might be fresh in the days to follow, according to the USDA. 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. Milk doesn't last forever, so even if you suspect the carton of milk past its expiration date in your fridge is still fresh, it will spoil eventually. Most milk sold at grocery stores has been pasteurized — a process of heating the milk to kill off pathogens, according to the Food and Drug Administration FDA. Raw milk , on the other hand, hasn't been pasteurized and may contain dangerous microorganisms like Salmonella, E. The sugar in milk also makes it susceptible to spoiling. Milk contains lactose, a sugar that allows bacteria to grow and multiply, which leads to spoiled milk, according to the Missouri Poison Center. Though refrigeration delays milk from spoiling, it can only preserve milk for approximately seven days, according to the USDA.

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My podcast changed me Can 'biological race' explain disparities in health? Contrary to popular belief, spoiled milk may have a place in your next culinary pursuit. Yahoo Sport Australia. Most milk sold at grocery stores has been pasteurized — a process of heating the milk to kill off pathogens, according to the Food and Drug Administration FDA. Instead, try using it in pancakes, biscuits, or as a thickener for soups and stews. Measure content performance. As in other cases of food poisoning, these symptoms commonly resolve themselves within 12 to 24 hours of ingestion, though it is advisable to seek medical attention in the rare case that they persist longer than that. Drinking spoiled milk can make people unwell, but it is typically easy to tell when milk is bad. Your doctor can test for potentially harmful germs like Salmonella or E. Alex Loh is EatingWell 's associate food editor. What exactly would happen if you drank spoiled milk? Human Biology. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. However, if you simply must taste the lumpy, foul-smelling liquid, it'll have an acidic, sour flavor. These include :.

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.

Although this makes the milk safer to consume, it does not mean that it is safe to leave milk out of the refrigerator for an extended time, particularly after opening it. You may accept or manage your choices by clicking below, including your right to object where legitimate interest is used, or at any time in the privacy policy page. Tell us why! The use by date tells consumers when a food item should be consumed or used by. That's because every time you open the door, you expose the contents to warmer temperatures. For example, it can cause stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting. Most milk that people purchase in the United States has undergone pasteurization , which involves heating the milk to kill harmful pathogens. That's a good thing, because one sip won't hurt you. 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. Use limited data to select content. You can tell if milk is bad by checking the smell, color, consistency and taste. FTW Outdoors. After you buy your milk from the grocery store, try to refrigerate it immediately. Milk contains lactose, a sugar that allows bacteria to grow and multiply, which leads to spoiled milk, according to the Missouri Poison Center.