Can you eat frozen pizza after the expiration date?
In this article, we are going to answer can you eat frozen pizza after the expiration date, what is the expiration date, what is the use-by date, what happens if you eat frozen pizza after the use-by date, is frozen pizza healthy to eat, how long does frozen pizza last and how to store frozen pizza.
Can you eat frozen pizza after the expiration date?
Frozen pizza does not have an expiration date. Frozen products such as frozen pizza have a use-by date or best-by date which is a date used by manufacturers to ensure a date until the products will keep their flavor and freshness.
So, you can eat frozen pizza after the use-by date as long as it has been stored correctly, in the freezer in the original package.
Leftover pizza that has been frozen can also be eaten whenever you want, it won’t cause you food poisoning as long as it was frozen in a good condition.
What is the expiration date?
The expiration date in the product tells the consumer the last day a product is safe to consume. The expiration date is not in all products. It is required on certain products that have a specific nutritional composition that could change after the expiration date.
The expiration date is required in some products such as
- Liquid diets
- Foods sold by a pharmacist
- Meal replacements
- Nutritional supplements
- Infant formula
If a product has passed the expiration date, it should not be consumed.
What is the use-by date?
Best by date or use-by date tells the consumer that food is no longer fresh or in the same shape, texture, and taste as when you bought it. It might lose some freshness, taste, aroma, or nutrients but it doesn’t mean that the product has gone bad and is no longer safe to eat.
The safety, freshness, and taste of the products depend on how it has been stored. So, if the product has not been handled correctly, it can lose all its qualities long before the best-by date.
What happens if you eat frozen pizza after the use-by date?
Frozen pizza is safe to eat after the use-by date as long as it has been frozen before you eat it. Frozen pizza that has been frozen for a long time, past the use-by date, is safe to consume.
According to the USDA, frozen food will become dry but they are still safe because bacteria or mold do not grow in the freezer.
If the frozen pizza has been previously defrosted and kept in the refrigerator for more than 5 days or at room temperature for more than 1 day it will cause food poisoning because of the cheese and other ingredients such as pepperoni that are highly perishable.
Food poisoning or also called foodborne illness is caused when you eat something that is contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Sometimes you don’t have to ingest the virus or bacteria, it is enough by eating their toxins to have symptoms of food poisoning.
Symptoms might start within an hour of eating contaminated food. Symptoms include
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Fever
Also, if you eat pizza that has been in the refrigerator for more than 5 days or at room temperature for more than 1 day, it can easily grow mold. Once the mold is in your pizza, throw it away.
Is frozen pizza healthy to eat?
Pizza is not a healthy food because it usually has a high amount of calories, sodium, carbohydrates, and fat. Frozen pizza has the same nutrients as unfrozen pizza. Try to eat pizza in moderation and stick to a healthy and balanced diet as much as you can.
How long does frozen pizza last?
Frozen pizza has a very long shelf life as long as it has frozen below 0 Celsius. Frozen pizza can last 1 day at room temperature while in the fridge it can last up to 3 to 5 days.
In the freezer, it can last in a good condition up to 6 months past the use-by date but you can eat it whenever you want.
Frozen pizza in the freezer will never go bad or grow any bacteria or mold in it.
How to store frozen pizza?
Frozen pizza should be stored in the original package or in a sealed bag. When you are ready to eat it, it is recommended to unfreeze the pizza in the refrigerator for a while and then heat it in the oven, microwave, or air fryer.
Follow this link for the best way to store and reheat leftover pizza.
Other FAQs about Pizza that you may be interested in.
Can you eat pizza without cheese?
Can you eat pizza without a gallbladder?
Can you eat pizza sauce without cooking it?
Conclusion
This article answered can you eat frozen pizza after the expiration date, what is the expiration date, what is the use-by date, what happens if you eat frozen pizza after the use-by date, is frozen pizza healthy to eat, how long does frozen pizza last and how to store frozen pizza.
Citation
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