Best before dates on cheese mainly indicate quality, not safety[5]. You can often eat cheese after this date if it has been properly stored and shows no signs of spoilage. Hard cheeses like cheddar and parmesan generally last longer past their best before date than soft cheeses such as brie or camembert[1].
Before consuming cheese past its best before date,:[7]
- Inspect it for visible mold (excluding mold-ripened cheeses like blue cheese). For hard cheese with mold, cut away at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) around and below the moldy spot; the rest can be eaten. If soft cheese develops mold, discard it entirely[1][4].
- Smell the cheese. Discard it if it has off odors, such as a strong ammonia or chlorine-like scent[1][7].
- Check for changes in texture or flavor, like a slimy texture or sour taste—these are signs of spoilage[7].
People at higher risk for foodborne illness, including pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, should be especially cautious. They should avoid soft cheeses unless labeled as made with pasteurized milk and should not consume cheese with any indications of spoilage[4][6].
For all cheeses, keeping them refrigerated and properly wrapped is essential for safety and longevity[5]. If in doubt about the safety of a cheese, it’s safer to discard it[7].
References
- [1] How Long Does Cheese Last in the Fridge? – Healthline
- [4] Handling Dairy Products, Cheese, and Eggs Safely
- [5] Cheesy goodness: enjoy your cheese past its Best Before date
- [6] Handling of Cheese for Safety & Quality – HGIC@clemson.edu
- [7] Can I eat the cheese past the best by date? – Tillamook Creamery
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