Can you get sick from eating expired pretzels?
In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “Can you get sick from eating expired pretzels” with an in-depth analysis of whether or not you can get sick from eating an expired pretzel. Moreover, we are going to discuss the shelf life of pretzels, ways to spot bad pretzels, and the proper way to store pretzels.
Do pretzels expire?
Yes, a package of pretzels lasts up to 6 – 9 months. After this time period, their quality starts to deteriorate and they lose their flavor. It is important to note any signs of spoilage like the development of off odor, flavor, or appearance before consuming them. Some pretzels also come with an expiry date, which is the best estimate to check their expiry.
How long do pretzels last?
If the pretzels are unopened and in their original packaging, they are good for as long as the date mentioned on the label. For an opened and properly stored pack of pretzels, their shelf life is 1 – 2 weeks. For maximum shelf life, keep the packet tightly closed when not in use.
Can you get sick from eating expired pretzels?
When it comes to pretzels, you do not necessarily get sick from eating expired pretzels as long as they were stored appropriately. But you will feel a change in its texture and flavor so as long as you are okay with it, you can eat the expired pretzels but we won’t recommend you to do so.
It is also worth mentioning that if you see some organic growth or mold on the pretzels, then the best thing you can do is to get rid of such pretzels as they can cause health problems if consumed. If you eat a pretzel with mold on it, you can get food poisoning from it that is characterized by diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. So it is better to discard such a pretzel to save yourself from such a situation.
Diarrhea is an indication of the body that a certain obnoxious agent has entered it. So consumption of bacteria-laden pretzels often causes diarrhea. Food poisoning after consuming a pretzel that has some organic growth on it is characterized by abdominal pain. Abdominal pain is also accompanied by vomiting and nausea in most cases. If you have consumed a pretzel that has microbial growth in it 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.
What is the shelf life of pretzels?
While talking about the commercially processed, store-bought pretzels, the unopened pack of pretzels lasts for about 9 months, if it is stored in a cool, dry, and dark place away from direct sunlight and heat.
Moreover, you will see a “best by” or “best before” date, written on the package of your pretzels. It is worth mentioning that this date is more the indication of quality rather than safety and your pretzels can even last after this date if they are stored appropriately. But the flavor will start to fade gradually.
You can read how to make pretzels here.
How to tell if pretzels have gone bad?
If you notice a mold or any other organic growth on the surface of pretzels then it is an indication that your pretzels have gone bad and you should discard them.
Moreover, if you smell some off-smell or some rancid or putrid smell while taking a sniff test of the pretzels then it is also an indication of pretzels that have gone stale.
Last but not least the bad pretzels will have an off-flavor that you can easily recognize by taking a small bite of a pretzel.
How to store pretzels properly?
You should store your pretzels in a cool, dry, and dark place away from direct sunlight and heat. Moreover, never store your pretzels in a humid environment because the moisture content of the environment can mess up the quality of the pretzel and can also change their texture.
Once you open the pack of your pretzels, it is recommended that you store your pretzels in an air-tight jar or container to hinder its air exposure. The best way you can do this is to individually wrap the once cooled pretzels and afterward store them in the air-tight jar.
Moreover, you can store your homemade pretzels in a cool, dry, and dark corner of your pantry or kitchen cabinet for about 2 days or sometimes even more easily. Your homemade pretzels can keep good for about a month easily in the freezer.
Moreover, if you want to store your pretzels in the refrigerator then it is recommended to either store them in the air-tight container so that the high moisture content of the fridge won’t mess up its texture or flavor or you can store the pretzels in a vacuum-sealed plastic bag to preserve its freshness and quality for a long time.
Other FAQs about Pretzels that you may be interested in.
Can you freeze Christmas pretzels?
Can you deep fry frozen pretzels?
Can you freeze Auntie Anne’s pretzels?
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the question “Can you get sick from eating expired pretzels” with an in-depth analysis of whether or not you can get sick from eating an expired pretzel. Moreover, we discussed the shelf life of pretzels, ways to spot bad pretzels, and the proper way to store pretzels.
Citations
https://www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/18090#:~:text=Storage%20time%20shown%20is%20for,of%20spoilage%20(see%20below).
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20170604013554AA4QrZQ
