What happens If you eat expired tartar sauce?

In this article, we will answer the question “What happens If you eat expired tartar sauce?”. Moreover, we will discuss how to identify spoiled tartar sauce, the health risks associated with eating spoiled tartar sauce and how to store your tartar sauce to prevent its spoilage.

What happens If you eat expired tartar sauce?

Eating expired tartar sauce can potentially lead to foodborne illnesses and unpleasant symptoms, due to the potential growth of harmful bacteria or the degradation of its quality (1-3).

If you consume expired tartar sauce, there is a risk of ingesting bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, or Staphylococcus aureus, which can cause food poisoning (4). 

The symptoms of foodborne illnesses can vary but often include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and sometimes fever (5-6). These symptoms typically appear within a few hours to a few days after consuming contaminated food.

The specific effects of consuming expired tartar sauce can vary depending on different factors, such as the length of time it has been expired, how it was stored, and the overall condition of the product. 

So, to ensure your safety, we recommend you to always check the expiration date of your tartar sauce and discard it when it is already expired or you notice any sign of spoilage.

What are the signs of spoilage in expired tartar sauce?

The signs of spoilage in expired tartar sauce can vary depending on several factors such as the length of time it has been expired, how it was stored, and the overall condition of the product. Here, we summarize the most common indicators of spoilage in expired tartar sauce:

  • Foul odor: If you notice an unpleasant or off smell coming from the tartar sauce, it may indicate spoilage. Trust your sense of smell and if it smells rancid or different from the usual aroma, it’s best to discard it.
  • Discoloration: Tartar sauce that has expired may undergo changes in color. If you observe any significant discoloration, such as a darker or yellowish hue, it could be a sign of spoilage.
  • Separation or texture changes: Over time, the ingredients in tartar sauce may separate, with the oil or liquid separating from the solids. If you notice excessive separation, clumping, or an unusual texture, it could indicate spoilage.
  • Mold or unusual growth: Mold growth is a clear sign of spoilage. If you notice any mold or unusual growth on the surface or inside the tartar sauce container, it should not be consumed.

Mold can produce dangerous mycotoxins that can make you very sick (7), so you should never eat spoiled tartar sauce, especially if it is contaminated with molds. 

  • Abnormal taste: Expired tartar sauce may have an off or sour taste. If you detect an unpleasant or different flavor than usual, you should stop consuming it and throw it out.

If you have any doubts about the safety or quality of your tartar sauce, it is always best to err on the side of caution and discard it to avoid the risk of foodborne illness.

What should you do if you accidentally eat expired tartar sauce?

If you accidentally eat expired tartar sauce, you can follow the next recommendations:

  • Monitor your symptoms: Pay attention to any signs of foodborne illness such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, or fever (5). These symptoms usually appear within a few hours to a few days after consuming contaminated food.
  • Stay hydrated: If you experience symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting, it is essential to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids (8).
  • Seek medical attention if needed: If you develop severe symptoms or if your symptoms persist for an extended period, you should seek medical attention immediately. A healthcare professional can assess your condition and provide appropriate guidance or treatment.

Remember that it is always best to prevent consuming expired food in the first place.

How long does tartar sauce typically last before it expires?

The shelf life of tartar sauce can vary depending on factors such as the brand, ingredients, and preservatives used. 

In general, unopened commercially prepared tartar sauce can last for several months, typically around 6 to 12 months, when stored properly in the refrigerator. However, it is important to check the expiration date printed on the packaging to determine the specific shelf life of the tartar sauce you have. 

Once opened, tartar sauce can last for a shorter period, usually around 1 to 2 months, when refrigerated. 

We strongly recommend you to always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and discard your tartar sauce if it has passed its expiration date or shows signs of spoilage as previously discussed.

How to properly store tartar sauce to avoid its spoilage?

You can follow the next recommendations to properly store your tartar sauce and prevent its spoilage:

  1. Refrigerate promptly: Tartar sauce should be refrigerated promptly after purchase or opening the container. Bacteria can multiply rapidly at room temperature, so you should keep your sauce chilled.
  1. Store at a consistent temperature: Keep the tartar sauce in the refrigerator at a temperature of 40°F (4°C) or below. Ensure that the refrigerator maintains a consistent temperature to prevent fluctuations that could promote bacterial growth.
  1. Seal tightly: Make sure the container is tightly sealed after each use. This helps to maintain freshness and prevent contamination.
  1. Avoid cross-contamination: Use clean utensils or spoons when scooping tartar sauce out of the container to prevent introducing bacteria from other foods.

By following these storage guidelines, you can help extend the shelf life of your tartar sauce, thus reducing the risk of spoilage and the associated health problems.

Conclusion

In this article, we answered the question “What happens If you eat expired tartar sauce?”. Moreover, we discussed how to identify spoiled tartar sauce, the health risks associated with eating spoiled tartar sauce and how to store your tartar sauce to prevent its spoilage.

References:

1. Smittle RB. Microbiological Safety of Mayonnaise, Salad Dressings, and Sauces Produced in the United States: A Review. J Food Prot [Internet]. 2000 Aug 1 [cited 2023 Jun 25];63(8):1144–53. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0362028X22006184 

2. Buytaers FE, Saltykova A, Mattheus W, Verhaegen B, Roosens NHC, Vanneste K, et al. Application of a strain-level shotgun metagenomics approach on food samples: resolution of the source of a Salmonella food-borne outbreak. Microb Genomics [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2023 Jul 3];7(4):547. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8208685/ 

3. Fabian FW, Wethington MC. Bacterial and Chemical Analyses of Mayonnaise Salad Dressing, and Related Products. Food Res [Internet]. 1950 [cited 2023 Jul 3];15(2):138–45. Available from: https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/19502703198 

4. Bintsis T. Foodborne pathogens. AIMS Microbiol [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2023 May 16];3(3):529. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6604998/ 

5. Milaciu M V, Ciumărnean L, Orășan OH, Para I, Alexescu T, Negrean V. Semiology of food poisoning. Int J Bioflux Soc [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2023 May 10];8(2):108–13. Available from: http://hvm.bioflux.com.ro/docs/2015.108-113.pdf 

6. Lennard LB. Food microbiology and food poisoning. In: Food & Nutrition [Internet]. Taylor & francis Gr…. Routledge; 2020 [cited 2023 May 30]. p. 132–54. Available from: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003115663-11/food-microbiology-food-poisoning-louise-lennard 

7. Tola M, Kebede B. Occurrence, importance and control of mycotoxins: A review. http://www.editorialmanager.com/cogentagri [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2023 Jun 12];2(1). Available from: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23311932.2016.1191103 

8. McRobert GR. THE TREATMENT OF BACTERIAL FOOD POISONING. Br Med J [Internet]. 1934 Aug 8 [cited 2023 May 10];2(3841):304. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2445530/ 

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!