Can you get sick from eating expired ramen noodles?
In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “can you get sick from eating expired ramen noodles” with an in-depth analysis of the health implications of eating expired ramen noodles. Moreover, we are going to discuss tips to properly store ramen noodles.
So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.
Can you get sick from eating expired ramen noodles?
When it comes to ramen noodles, you do not get sick from eating expired ramen noodles as long as they are stored properly. The moisture content of the ramen noodles is so low that it does not provide a suitable medium for the microbes to grow. Moreover, the preservatives added in the formulation of ramen noodles also play an important role in prolonging their shelf life.
No doubt that ramen noodles suffer textural and flavor changes over time and also tend to go rancid owing to the oxidation of fats but eating expired ramen noodles do not pose health issues as long as there are no signs of spoilage associated with it.
It is worth mentioning that instead of “expiry date” you will find a “best before” or “best by” date written on the packet of the ramen noodles.
The “best by” or “best before” date that is written on the package of ramen noodles refers to the quality rather than safety so the ramen noodles don’t 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 ramen noodles but you can still use ramen noodles that are past this date as long as they were stored properly.
Thus, you should do a sensory evaluation of your ramen noodles to reach a final verdict on whether or not it is still suitable to consume.
Certain indicators point out bad ramen noodles. You should consider the appearance and smell of the ramen noodles to reach a final verdict on whether it is still suitable to consume or not.
Appearance
If you spot mold or organic growth on your ramen noodles (molds can grow on uncooked ramen noodles only when they are stored in a humid environment for a long time or moisture somehow found its way to it) then the best thing you can do is to toss out such ramen noodles.
If you spot weevils or bugs in your ramen noodles container then it is better to toss such ramen noodles out due to cleanliness concerns.
Moreover, if your ramen noodles have discolored then it is an indication that they are past their prime time.
Smell
If you smell something foul, rancid, or musty while taking a sniff test of your ramen noodles then it is an indication of bad ramen noodles and it is better to toss it out.
Moreover, if you feel a noticeable textural difference in your ramen noodles then it is better to toss them out as it is better to be safe than sorry.
Apart from this, if you notice that the packaging of your unopened ramen noodles has holes in it then it is better to toss such noodles out due to cleanliness concerns.
So you should consider the points mentioned above before deciding whether you are going to use ramen noodles or not.
What is the shelf life of ramen noodles?
Instant ramen noodles last for about a year past the “best by” date if stored properly in a cool, dry, and dark corner of the pantry away from direct sunlight and heat.
On the other hand, wheat ramen noodles can last for about 3-6 months past the printed date on them provided that they are stored properly in a cool, dry and dark corner of the pantry away from direct sunlight and heat.
While talking about the fresh ramen noodles, they last for about 2-3 weeks when stored properly in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is worth mentioning that these figures are just the estimated shelf life of ramen noodles.
You can read how to make chicken ramen here.
Tips to properly store ramen noodles
- Moisture is an enemy of the freshness and quality of the ramen noodles therefore ramen noodles should be kept in air-tight containers or air-tight jars to reduce their exposure to air.
- Do not store your ramen noodles in a humid environment.
- You should store ramen noodles away from direct sunlight as the sunlight can speed up the rate of oxidation of fats.
- Ramen noodles should be kept in a cool, dry, and dark place. A cool and dry corner of your pantry can serve this purpose nicely.
- Do not unnecessarily open the lid of the ramen noodles container and seal it again as soon as possible after scooping out the ramen noodles that you need.
- Once you have opened the package of ramen noodles, it is recommended to transfer the rest of the ramen noodles in an air-tight container or plastic zipper bag.
- In the case of fresh ramen noodles, it is best practice to store them in the fridge in an ait-tight container at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the question “can you get sick from eating expired ramen noodles” with an in-depth analysis of the health implications of eating expired ramen noodles. Moreover, we discussed tips to properly store ramen noodles.
