Can You Eat Pork Chops 2 Days After The Use-by Date?

Can you eat pork chops 2 days after the use-by date?

By TheWholePortion

Page last updated: 03/22/2023 | Next review date: 03/22/2025

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In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “can you eat pork chops 2 days after the use-by date” with an in-depth analysis of whether or not you can eat pork chops that is past the use-by date. Moreover, we are going to discuss different ways to spot bad pork chops.

Can you eat pork chops 2 days after the use-by date?

Before deciding whether or not you can eat pork chops that are past their use-by date, you first have to know what is a use-by date.

The use-by date refers to the date that is marked on the packaging of the perishable food commodities and it refers to the time by which you should consume that food.

Generally, pork chops last for about 3-5 days past the sell-by date when stored properly in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit in an air-tight container.

According to USDA, you should consume your pork chops before the use-by date.

Moreover, when it comes to the use-by date then you can use the pork chops that are past this date provided that they were already stored properly in the freezer (before the use-by date). Pork chops last for about 6-8 months when stored properly in the freezer.

It is worth mentioning that the way you have stored your pork chops also impacts their shelf life.

For instance, if your pork chops were stored for more than 2 hours at room temperature (or more than 1 hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit) then it is better to discard them as bacteria grow best at 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit and there are chances of your pork chops to be already bacteria-laden in this case.

On the other hand, the pork chops that are properly refrigerated the whole time at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below can be suitable to consume within 3-5 days provided that there are no signs of spoilage associated with them.

Ways to spot bad pork chops

Certain indicators point out bad pork chops, therefore you should consider the color, texture, and smell of your pork chops to reach a final verdict whether it is still suitable to consume or if it has gone bad.

Color

If you notice that the color of the pork chops has changed from pink to greenish-grey or brown then it is the indication that your pork chops have gone bad and it is better to discard them.

Texture

If you feel something slimy or gooey while touching the pork chops then it means that your pork chops have gone bad and it is better to discard them.

But keep one thing in mind that rinsing the pork chops won’t help you in this scenario as you won’t be able to get rid of the bacteria. Rather rinsing the bacteria-laden pork chops will put you at risk of cross-contamination as the bacteria will spread in the utensils and other food items that will come in contact with the water from the pork chops that have gone bad.

It is worth mentioning that you should wash your hands thoroughly after touching the bacteria-laden pork chops or else the bacteria will transfer from your hands to any other thing that comes in contact with your hands.

Smell

If you smell something sour or ammonia-like while taking a sniff test of your pork chops then it means that your pork chops have gone bad and you should discard them.

Other FAQs about Pork which you may be interested in.

How long to cook 8lb pork shoulder in a slow cooker?

How to cook Pig Ears in the Pressure Cooker?

How long to cook pork chops in an oven at 180?

Health implications of eating bad pork chops

If due to any reason, bacteria somehow found their way to your pork chops and have spoiled it then the best thing you should do is to discard them.

The most common case that you can see regarding the consumption of bad pork chops is the incidence of trichinosis (food poisoning).

Pork chops can have Trichinella spiralis which can cause trichinosis that is characterized by abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.

Therefore you should immediately take medical help and try to drink as much water as possible so that while the body is getting rid of the toxins in form of diarrhea and vomiting, the water that you drink will protect your body against dehydration that vomiting can otherwise result in.

You can read about trichinosis (food poisoning) here.

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered the question “can you eat pork chops 2 days after the use-by date” with an in-depth analysis of whether or not you can eat pork chops that is past the use-by date. Moreover, we discussed different ways to spot bad pork chops.