Can you get sick from eating expired Greek yogurt?

In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “Can you get sick from eating expired Greek yogurt” with an in-depth analysis of the health implications of eating expired yogurt. Moreover, we are going to discuss tips to properly store Greek yogurt.

So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.

Can you get sick from eating expired Greek yogurt?

Eating expired Greek yogurt that has gone bad can put you at the risk of many foodborne illnesses but it is worth mentioning that instead of the “expiration date”, you will find a “best by” or “best before date” written on the packet of Greek yogurt. So what we are referring to by expired yogurt here is basically the Greek yogurt that has gone bad.

The “best by” or “best before” date that is written on the pack of Greek yogurt refers to quality rather than safety so the Greek yogurt doesn’t necessarily go bad immediately after the best before date. 

This date refers to the time during which you can enjoy the peak quality and flavor of the Greek yogurt but you can still eat Greek yogurt that is past this date as long as it was stored properly.

Moreover, if we talk about the sell-by date of the Greek yogurt then Greek yogurt is safe to eat 1-2 weeks past the “sell-by” date provided that it was stored properly in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Therefore you should do a sensory evaluation of your frosting to reach a final verdict if it is still safe to consume or not.

Certain indicators point out bad yogurt. You should consider the texture, smell, and taste of the Greek yogurt to reach a final verdict whether or not it has gone bad.

Texture

If you find that your Greek yogurt has become all lumpy or curdled or if you find a watery layer suspended on the rest of the Greek yogurt then it means that your Greek yogurt is past its prime time.

Moreover, if you spot a mold in your yogurt then it means that it has gone bad and you should discard the whole yogurt in this case.

Smell

If you smell an intense sour smell or something foul while taking a sniff test of your yogurt then it means that yogurt has gone bad and the best thing to do in this scenario is to get rid of it.

Taste

If you feel something funky or unpleasant while tasting a bit of your Greek yogurt then it points out a bad yogurt and it is better to toss it out.

Greek yogurt is a highly nutritious commodity and belongs to the dairy group. It has many macro and micronutrients present in its formulation. But at the same time, it is a highly perishable commodity and if it is not stored properly then there are great chances that bacteria will find their way to it and spoil it.

It is worth mentioning that whenever you consume a food that is contaminated with bacteria and other microbes, there is a deferral before symptoms of illness become clear, which may last from hours to days, contingent on how many microbes and what sort of microorganisms has been consumed by you. 

Food poisoning after the consumption of expired or bad Greek yogurt is characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weakness, and mild fever. 

  1. Diarrhea is an indication of the body that a certain obnoxious agent has entered it. So consumption of expired Greek yogurt often causes diarrhea. Therefore you should drink plenty of water to compensate for the water loss that the body experiences owing to diarrhea.
  1. Food poisoning after consuming Greek yogurt that has expired is characterized by abdominal pain. Abdominal pain and cramps may likewise take place in the wake of devouring expired Greek yogurt. 
  1. If you have consumed Greek yogurt that has gone bad then you will experience nausea and vomiting which is the natural defense of the body to get rid of the unwanted harmful substance that has entered the body.
  1. Consuming Greek yogurt that has expired will also raise your body temperature and you can experience fever which is the natural defense mechanism of your body and is the indicator that something is off with your body.

Persistent vomiting and diarrhea can result in electrolyte imbalance in the body as well as it can lead to severe dehydration, dizziness, flushed skin, and weakness. It is advised to drink plenty of water to save the body from dehydration as severe dehydration can even lead to shock.

No doubt any person who consumes stale Greek yogurt will be at risk of such health implications but there are special populations that are more vulnerable to food poisoning and its negative impacts. They are

  1. Elderly people especially those that are above the age of 65
  1. Children that are aged under 5 as their immune system is weak as compared to the adults
  1. Pregnant women
  1. Immunocompromised people have a very weak immune system and are already suffering from diseases like HIV or the people that have recently got a transplant or have gone through surgery.

Other FAQs about Yogurt which you may be interested in.

How long does open yogurt last?

Tips to properly store Greek yogurt

  1. Once you open the package of your Greek yogurt, it is recommended to store the rest in an air-tight container or jar in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. 
  1. You should store your Greek yogurt container on one of the shelves of the refrigerator rather than the door as there is a lot of temperature fluctuation at the door of the fridge that can mess up the quality of the Greek yogurt.
  1. You should not leave your Greek yogurt for more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour if the outside temperature is more than 90 degrees Fahrenheit). Bacteria grow at a faster pace between 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit and if Greek yogurt is left to sit out for more than 2 hours then there are great chances of the Greek yogurt being already contaminated by bacteria and the consumption of such bacteria-laden Greek yogurt can cause many foodborne illnesses.

You can read the benefits of Greek yogurt here.

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered the question “Can you get sick from eating expired Greek yogurt” with an in-depth analysis of the health implications of eating expired yogurt. Moreover, we discussed tips to properly store Greek yogurt.

Citations

https://www.livestrong.com/article/88137-side-effects-eating-expired-yogurt/#:~:text=Eating%20expired%20yogurt%20can%20cause%20food%20poisoning%20or%20foodborne%20illness,preserved%20foods%2C%20such%20as%20yogurt.

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/a32299412/can-you-eat-expired-yogurt/

https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/greek-yogurt-is-it-safe-to-eat-after-the-expiration-date

https://www.businessinsider.com/expiration-dates-are-bogus-heres-how-to-tell-if-food-has-gone-bad-2016-7#:~:text=Look%20for%20a%20larger%2Dthan,say%20the%20folks%20at%20StillTasty.

Yogurt (Yoghurt)

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