Can you eat granola bars after the expiration date?
In this article, we are going to answer can you eat granola bars after the expiration date, what is the expiration date, what is the use-by date, what happens if you eat granola bars after the use-by date, and how long do granola bars last, and how to store granola bars so they can last longer.
Can you eat granola bars after the expiration date?
Granola bars do not have an expiration date, instead, granola bars have a use-by or best-by date printed in the box. Yes, you can eat granola bars after the use-by date.
The use-by date is used by manufacturers so you consume their products before this date so they can ensure to their customers the quality and freshness of granola bars.
Granola bars have a long shelf life and it is generally safe to consume them, the risk of food poisoning is very low.
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 granola bars after the use-by date?
Nothing will happen to you if you eat granola bars after the use-by date. You might not enjoy it if it is already rancid but it is very unlikely that granola bars will cause you food poisoning.
Granola bars after the use-by date will lose freshness and taste. They might go rancid depending on the ingredients and they might not be crunchy but apart from that, you are safe to eat them after the use-by date.
How long do granola bars last?
Granola bars have a long shelf life. They have a very low moisture level and have ingredients that help them to last for a long period of time as long as they are stored correctly.
Unopened Granola bars bought in the supermarket can last about 3 to 6 months in the pantry or refrigerator. If you open the box of granola bars but the individual package is still intact, they will last for about 6 months after the use-by date.
Open individual packages of granola can last very few hours or up to one day if not stored in a sealed bag and airtight container. Homemade granola bars can last only for about 10 days stored in an airtight container.
How to store granola bars so they can last longer?
The best place to store granola bars is in a cool dry place away from sunlight and with low moisture. They can stay in the original box or be put in an airtight container.
If you live in a place with high humidity levels and the temperature is very high, above 90 F, try to store them with their individual package intact in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Follow this link for the best homemade granola bars and how to store them correctly.
Other FAQs about Cereals that you may be interested in.
Can you eat granola without cooking?
Can you eat granola without milk?
How long can you eat cereal after the expiration date?
Conclusion
This article answered can you eat granola bars after the expiration date, what is the expiration date, what is the use-by date, what happens if you eat granola bars after the use-by date, how long do granola bars last, and how to store granola bars so they can last longer.
