Can You Eat Chicken On Its Use By Date

Can You Eat Chicken On Its Use By Date?

When it comes to food safety, especially with poultry, a common question arises: Can you eat chicken on its use by date? The short answer is yes, but there are important precautions to keep in mind. The use by date is a crucial indicator of the chicken’s freshness and safety.

Importance of the Use By Date

Chicken marked with a use by date should be consumed by the end of that particular day. Consuming it after this point is not considered safe due to the risk of bacterial growth, which may not be visible or detectable by smell. Unlike items marked with a “best before” date, where quality may decrease but safety isn’t necessarily compromised, a use by date is essential for foods that can quickly become unsafe, like chicken. Eating chicken past its use by date increases the chance of foodborne illness because harmful bacteria can develop, often without any discernible signs.

What to Do If You Can’t Consume Chicken by the Use By Date

If you realize you won’t be able to eat the chicken by the use by date, freezing it is an effective solution. You should freeze the chicken on or before that date. Properly storing your chicken in the freezer can extend its usability significantly. Raw chicken can be safely frozen for up to a year if it’s whole, or up to 9 months for pieces. On the other hand, cooked chicken can last about 2 to 6 months in the freezer. When you decide to use the frozen chicken, it’s important to cook it immediately after thawing and to avoid refreezing.

Cooking and Defrosting Tips

Defrost chicken safely by transferring it from the freezer to the refrigerator or using a microwave’s defrost setting. Cook thawed chicken thoroughly to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C), which is necessary to kill any potentially harmful bacteria. Avoid relying on how the chicken looks or smells to judge its safety, as these methods are unreliable indicators.

Risks of Consuming Chicken Past the Use By Date

To minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses, always adhere to use by dates for perishable foods. Ignoring these dates can lead to serious health risks, which is why food safety authorities strongly emphasize their importance. Consuming chicken even a day past its use by date can potentially introduce bacteria such as Salmonella or Campylobacter into your system, causing food poisoning.

In conclusion, while you can safely consume chicken on its use by date, it is paramount to follow safety practices regarding freezing, defrosting, and cooking to ensure it remains safe and free from harmful bacteria. Properly managing poultry according to these guidelines can prevent the risk of illness and keep your meals safe.