Patrick Oconnell
Many people wonder if cheese is safe to eat after its best-before date. The answer depends on the type of cheese and how it has been stored. Hard cheeses like Parmesan and Cheddar can last longer than soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert. Properly stored, in an unopened package, and below 40°F, a naturally-aged Cheddar cheese can continue to age and sharpen in your fridge. However, for stirred curd cheeses like Monterey Jack, it's not recommended to eat them after the best-before date due to their higher moisture content. Most soft cheeses, blue cheeses, and washed rind cheeses remain in great condition well after their best-before date but will continue to mature and intensify in flavour and aroma.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best Before Dates | Signify the end of the period during which the food, if stored in accordance with stated storage conditions, will retain its specific qualities as promised by the retailer |
| Not related to safety, but to food quality | |
| Allow some flexibility | |
| Hard cheeses like Parmesan and Cheddar can last longer than soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert | |
| Naturally-aged Cheddar cheese can continue to age and sharpen in your fridge if stored properly in an unopened package below 40°F | |
| Soft cheeses, blue cheeses, and washed rind cheeses remain in good condition well after their Best Before date | |
| Aged cheese is drier and more resistant to mold | |
| Properly sealed and vacuumed cheese can be fine for months or even a year | |
| If the cheese has developed mold on the surface, cut off the mold and it's good to eat | |
| If the cheese has gone squashy, the package has ballooned, or it smells bad, throw it out | |
| Use By Dates | Signify the end of the period after which the food should not be consumed because of health and safety reasons |
| Expiry Dates | Related to safety |
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What You'll Learn
- Hard cheeses like Parmesan and Cheddar can be consumed after their best-before date
- Soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert should be consumed quickly after opening
- Fresh cheeses like Mozzarella should be thrown out if mouldy, slimy, or discoloured
- Naturally-aged cheddar cheese can be stored in the fridge, unopened, below 40°F
- Best-before dates are about food quality, not safety
Hard cheeses like Parmesan and Cheddar can be consumed after their best-before date
Best Before dates are about food quality, not safety. They indicate how long a product will be at its peak flavour and texture. Unlike Use By dates, Best Before dates are flexible and refer to quality. Depending on the type, cheese can be enjoyed well past its Best Before date.
If you are checking the expiration date on a hard cheese, look for mould on the surface, noticeable squashy spots with darkening, sudden ballooning of the packaging, or horrible smells. If it has gone squashy, the package has ballooned, or it smells bad, throw it out. If it has developed surface mould, cut off the mould and the rest of the cheese is still good.
It is important to note that soft cheeses, such as Brie or Camembert, have shorter Best Before dates because they become softer and creamier with a more developed flavour as they age. Soft cheeses should be thrown out if mould develops, as the mould can quickly spread throughout the cheese.
To make your cheese last, keep it in the refrigerator, properly wrapped. Trust your senses before throwing away food that might still be good.
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Soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert should be consumed quickly after opening
Soft cheeses, such as Brie and Camembert, have a shorter life cycle than hard cheeses and can quickly deteriorate if not consumed soon after opening. Soft cheeses have the highest moisture content of all cheese types, and their high moisture content makes them more perishable and susceptible to mould.
When it comes to soft cheeses, it is crucial to inspect them regularly for any signs of spoilage, such as a bad smell, a slimy surface, dark spots, dryness, cracks, or mould. Even a small amount of mould can render the entire product unsafe to eat. Therefore, soft cheeses should be treated with care and consumed within a week of opening to prevent spoilage.
To ensure the freshness and safety of soft cheeses, proper storage is essential. Soft cheeses should be wrapped in wax, parchment, or cheese paper and stored in the refrigerator. These types of paper help regulate moisture, preventing the cheese from drying out while still allowing it to breathe. The wrapped cheese can then be placed in an airtight container or plastic bag and stored in the refrigerator to maintain its moisture and flavour.
While 'best before' dates are guidelines for quality rather than safety, it is important to use your best judgment when deciding whether to consume cheese past its 'best before' date. If the cheese exhibits signs of spoilage or has developed an off colour or unusual texture, it is generally safer not to eat it, especially if you have a compromised immune system, are pregnant, elderly, or have certain health conditions.
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Fresh cheeses like Mozzarella should be thrown out if mouldy, slimy, or discoloured
Fresh cheeses like mozzarella are usually given a 'Best Before' date, which signifies the end of the period during which the food, if stored correctly, will retain its specific qualities as promised by the retailer. However, this does not mean that the cheese has gone bad and is unsafe to eat. In fact, many cheeses get better with age, and naturally occurring moulds that grow after the 'Best Before' date can be scraped or cut off.
That being said, it is important to exercise caution when consuming fresh cheeses past their 'Best Before' date, as they have a higher moisture content and are therefore more susceptible to decay. If the cheese is mouldy, slimy, or discoloured, it is best to throw it out.
When determining whether a fresh cheese is still safe to eat, it is important to inspect it for any signs of deterioration. This includes the presence of mould, slime, or discolouration, as well as any unpleasant odours. If the cheese has developed a slimy or sticky texture, or if it has taken on a noticeably different colour or odour, it is best to discard it.
It is also important to consider the storage conditions of the cheese. Fresh cheeses should be properly stored and not perforated to maximise their shelf life. If the packaging has been damaged or compromised in any way, it is more likely that the cheese has gone bad.
In summary, while fresh cheeses like mozzarella can be consumed past their 'Best Before' date, it is important to thoroughly inspect them for any signs of deterioration. If the cheese is mouldy, slimy, or discoloured, it should be thrown out to avoid the risk of foodborne illness.
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Naturally-aged cheddar cheese can be stored in the fridge, unopened, below 40°F
The best-before date on cheese signifies the end of the period during which the food, if stored according to the stated storage conditions, will retain its specific qualities as promised by the retailer. Naturally-aged cheddar cheese can be stored in the fridge, unopened, below 40°F. However, the ideal temperature range for ageing cheeses is between 10°C and 13°C. It is important not to store cheese anywhere warmer than this, as high temperatures encourage bacterial growth, which can cause spoilage or mouldy spots.
Hard cheeses, such as cheddar, can be stored at room temperature for several months, while softer cheeses, such as Brie, should be stored in the refrigerator. If you're going to store cheese for any length of time, it's important to keep it away from direct sunlight as much as possible. Sunlight can cause the cheese to dry out and go bad faster than if it were stored in a cool, dark place.
If you don't have access to a wine refrigerator, you can use the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. It is small, and you will only be able to age 1 to 3 cheeses at a time. It can be tough to control the temperature and humidity. But it will work if you are careful. The first step is to get that crisper drawer thoroughly emptied and cleaned out. Use a bleach solution for this; there are just too many opportunities for contamination in a refrigerator.
If you are checking the expiration date on a hard cheese, check for moulding on the surface, noticeable squashy spots with darkening, sudden ballooning of the packaging, or horrible smells. If it has gone squashy, the package has ballooned, or it smells bad, throw it out. If it has developed mould on the surface, cut off the mould and you're good to go. This largely only applies to hard cheeses -- if you find mould on a soft cheese (that isn't supposed to be there), throw out the whole thing. Hard cheeses are preserved foods, and so they work with different rules, like pickles or cured/dried foods.
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Best-before dates are about food quality, not safety
When you see a "Best Before" date on your cheese, it might make you think it's unsafe to eat after that date. However, Best Before dates are about food quality, not safety. These dates indicate how long the product will be at its peak flavour and texture. Unlike "Use By" or "Expiry" dates, which are related to safety, Best Before dates refer to quality and allow some flexibility.
Depending on the type, cheese can often be enjoyed well past its Best Before date if it's stored properly. Hard cheeses like Parmesan and Cheddar can last longer than soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert. Keep your cheese in the refrigerator, properly wrapped, to make it last longer.
When determining whether your cheese is still good to eat, trust your senses. If you see a bit of mould on hard cheese, just cut off the mouldy part—about an inch around and below the mould spot—and the rest is safe to eat. This largely only applies to hard cheeses—if you find mould on a soft cheese (that isn't supposed to be there) or bread or meat, you should throw out the whole thing. Hard cheeses are preserved foods, so they work with different rules, like pickles or cured/dried foods.
Additionally, be aware that the flavour of cheese will intensify over time. If the cheese passes the look and smell tests, take a small bite. If your tongue, lips, or cheeks tingle or burn, the cheese is bad. Spit it out and rinse your mouth with water.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, hard cheeses like Parmesan and Cheddar can be safe to eat long after their best-before date, especially if they are sealed or vacuum-packed. Soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert are riskier, as they have a higher moisture content, but can still be enjoyed after their best-by date if stored properly.
Trust your senses. If the cheese has an odd smell, colour, or texture, it's best to throw it out. If there is mould on a hard cheese, you can cut off the mouldy part and an inch around it, and the rest is safe to eat. If there is mould on a soft cheese, it's best to throw the whole thing out.
Eating cheese that has gone bad can cause food poisoning. If the cheese passes the look and smell tests, take a small bite. If the cheese makes your tongue, lips, or cheeks tingle or burn, spit it out and rinse your mouth with water.
Keep your cheese in the refrigerator, properly wrapped. The stated best-before date assumes the cheese has been stored in accordance with the stated storage conditions.
