Frederic Melton
The Best By date on cheese is intended to inform consumers of the period during which the product will retain its best flavour or quality. This date is not a safety date and is meant to be used as a guideline. Cheese is a living, breathing organism, and its shelf life can be influenced by factors such as moisture content, handling, and storage conditions. While some cheeses can be safely consumed past their Best By date, it is important to use common sense and inspect the cheese for signs of spoilage, such as mould, discolouration, or unpleasant odours. Proper storage methods, such as wrapping the cheese and maintaining optimal temperatures, can help extend the shelf life of cheese. Ultimately, the decision to consume cheese past its Best By date depends on individual comfort levels and the cheese's appearance, smell, and taste.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose of "Best By" dates | To tell consumers how long the product will retain the best flavor or quality |
| Food safety | Not a safety date |
| Food consumption | Food products may be eaten after the "Best By" date if the product has been properly stored, handled, and the primary container is in good condition |
| Storage | Store cheese at a safe fridge temperature, i.e., below 40°F (4°C) |
| Storage | Wrap cheese using wax, parchment, or cheese paper after opening to help maintain its moisture |
| Storage | Store soft cheeses in a little Tupperware container or plastic jar |
| Storage | Store cheese in a Ziploc bag to limit airflow and keep the cheesy smell off other food |
| Expiration | Expiration dates are not carved in stone; use common sense and instinct to determine if cheese is still usable |
| Expiration | Check for molding on the surface, noticeable squashy spots with darkening, sudden ballooning of the packaging, or horrible smells |
| Expiration | If the cheese has developed mold on the surface, cut off the mold and it is still safe to eat |
| Expiration | White specks or crystallized patches on certain aged hard cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, and Gouda are normal and safe to eat |
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What You'll Learn
'Best by' and 'use by' are not the same
Food labels can be confusing, and it's important to know the difference between "Best By" and "Use By" dates to ensure food safety and reduce waste.
"Best By" or "Best Before" dates on food products, including cheese, indicate the period during which the food will be at its best quality when stored under the stated conditions. These dates are not safety dates and do not necessarily mean that the food will be unsafe or inedible after the listed date. Foods can often be consumed beyond their "Best By" date if properly stored and handled, even if the flavour or quality may have slightly diminished.
On the other hand, a "Use By" date signifies the end of the period after which a food product should not be consumed due to health and safety reasons. This date is more critical and indicates that consuming the product after this date could potentially cause harm. However, it's important to note that "Use By" dates are rarely applied to cheese, except for some fresh cheeses like ricotta and bocconcini.
The distinction between "Best By" and "Use By" is crucial, especially when it comes to perishable items like cheese. While a "Best By" date on cheese suggests that it may still be edible beyond that date, it's important to use your judgement and assess the cheese's appearance, smell, and taste to determine if it has spoiled. Proper storage and wrapping are also key factors in extending the shelf life of cheese.
Additionally, it's worth mentioning that "Sell By" or "Display Until" dates are intended for retailers' stock management and are not relevant to consumers. These dates help retailers determine how long to display a product for sale and are unrelated to food safety or quality.
In summary, understanding the difference between "Best By" and "Use By" dates can help consumers make informed decisions about food safety and reduce unnecessary food waste. While "Best By" dates indicate optimal quality, they do not imply that the food is unsafe to consume after that date. "Use By" dates, on the other hand, are more critical and relate to potential health risks associated with consuming the product beyond the specified date.
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'Best by' is a guideline, not a safety warning
The "Best By" date on cheese is a guideline for consumers to determine the period during which the product will retain its best flavour or quality if stored correctly. It is not a safety warning or an expiration date. This means that cheese can still be consumed after its "Best By" date as long as it has been stored properly and is not showing signs of spoilage.
The length of time that cheese lasts in the fridge depends on the type of cheese and the storage conditions. Hard cheeses, such as cheddar, parmesan, and Gouda, tend to last longer than soft cheeses due to their lower moisture content, which makes them less prone to bacterial spoilage. Unopened blocks of hard cheese can last up to 6 months in the fridge, while soft cheeses typically last 1-2 weeks after opening. However, it is important to note that these are general guidelines, and the actual shelf life of cheese can vary depending on factors such as storage temperature and handling and the presence of mould.
Mould is a common issue with cheese, and its presence does not always indicate that the cheese is unsafe to eat. For hard cheeses, it is generally safe to cut off the mouldy parts, as long as the cheese is not completely covered. White specks or crystallized patches on certain aged hard cheeses are usually calcium lactate crystals and are safe to consume. However, for soft cheeses, it is recommended to discard the entire product if mould is present, as the mould can spread more easily and pose a potential health risk.
When determining whether cheese is still safe to eat past its "Best By" date, it is important to use your senses and look for any signs of spoilage. This includes checking for mould, discolouration, unusual smells, or changes in texture. Proper storage, such as wrapping the cheese in wax, parchment, or cheese paper, can also help extend the shelf life of cheese.
Additionally, it is worth noting that some people prefer the flavour of cheese that has been aged beyond its "Best By" date. This is a matter of personal preference, and as long as the cheese is stored properly and shows no signs of spoilage, it can be safely consumed.
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'Best by' dates are arbitrary
Best-by dates on cheese are somewhat arbitrary, and they do not necessarily indicate that a product is unsafe to eat after that date. The "best if used by" date is intended to inform consumers of how long the product will retain its best flavour or quality. This date is not a safety date but rather a useful guideline. Indeed, some foods may deteriorate more quickly, while others may last longer than the times suggested.
A number of factors can influence the useful life of a food product, such as improper handling and inadequate storage temperatures. For example, if cheese is not stored at a safe temperature of below 40°F (4°C), it may spoil more quickly. Additionally, soft cheeses tend to spoil more quickly than hard cheeses due to their higher moisture content, which makes them more prone to bacterial growth.
In the case of aged or hard cheeses, the best-by date is even more flexible. These cheeses can often be safely consumed well beyond the best-by date, as long as they are properly stored and handled. Mould on hard cheeses can simply be cut off, and the cheese can still be eaten. However, soft cheeses with any sign of mould should be discarded entirely.
Ultimately, when it comes to determining whether cheese is still safe to eat, common sense and individual judgement are crucial. Consumers should inspect their cheese and use their senses of sight, smell, and even taste to evaluate its edibility. While best-by dates can provide a general guideline, they do not always accurately reflect the actual condition of the cheese.
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How to store cheese
Cheese is a living, breathing organism, and proper cheese care is essential to keeping it fresh and tasty. Cheese needs oxygen and humidity to stay fresh, so it's best to avoid storing it in plastic wrap, as this cuts off the air supply and can suffocate the cheese. Clear plastic wrap also lets in a lot of light, which can oxidize aged cheeses and ruin their flavour.
If you buy cheese that has been stored in plastic, check the date and ensure it hasn't been wrapped for longer than a week. When you get home, remove the plastic wrap and let the cheese breathe for a few minutes.
For short-term storage, you can wrap the cheese in parchment or wax paper, then place it in a loosely sealed container or plastic bag. Reusable beeswax wraps are also effective. For softer cheeses like blues and Bries, open the container occasionally to avoid condensation and the development of off-flavours. The cheese and produce drawers of your fridge are best at keeping cheese humid and cool.
If you want to store cheese for longer, vacuum sealing or using a Ziploc bag is best. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. Semi-hard cheeses like cheddar can last for months when vacuum-sealed, and 3-4 weeks when opened. Hard cheeses can last for over a month, and you can also freeze them. Softer, high-moisture cheeses like Brie, Taleggio, and washed-rind cheeses need a bit of air but not too much, so a plastic bag or cheese paper is best.
Regardless of how you store cheese, always check for signs that it has gone bad. If there is mould, you can cut it off and change the wrapper. However, if there are slimy or reddish patches, or an ammoniated smell, throw the cheese out.
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How to tell if cheese is past its 'best by' date
In general, the "Best By" date on cheese is not a safety date but a guideline for consumers to determine how long the product will retain its best flavour or quality. This date assumes that the cheese has been stored correctly. A "Use By" date, on the other hand, signifies that the product should not be consumed past this date for health and safety reasons. However, some cheeses, such as Stilton, are deliberately kept past their "Use By" date as their flavour improves with age.
Cheese is a living, breathing organism, and its lifespan in the fridge depends on the type of cheese. Harder, aged cheeses will last the longest in the fridge, with most being able to last between four to six months if stored correctly. Unopened blocks of hard cheese can last up to six months in the fridge, while soft cheeses only last one to two weeks after opening. Hard cheeses also do not need to be refrigerated but will last longer if they are.
To determine if a cheese has gone bad, use your senses. Sight, smell, and taste can guide you in deciding if a cheese has passed its best-by date. If there is mould on the cheese, most hard cheeses can be saved by cutting off the mouldy spots. However, soft cheeses with any mould should be discarded entirely. White specks or crystallized patches on certain aged hard cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, and Gouda are normal and safe to eat. These spots are most likely not mould but calcium lactate crystals.
Additionally, the smell of the cheese can indicate whether it has gone bad. A strong smell resembling livestock urine (often called a "barnyard" smell) is a sign that the cheese should be thrown out. However, strongly flavoured cheeses will always have a strong smell, and as they age, their aroma will intensify, which does not necessarily mean they have gone bad.
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Frequently asked questions
'Best By' signifies the end of the period during which the cheese, if stored in accordance with the stated storage conditions, will retain its specific qualities as promised by the retailer.
Use your senses. Sight, smell, then taste. If there is mould, cut off at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) around and below the mouldy spots. If the cheese is covered in mould, it is best to throw it out.
Harder, aged cheeses last the longest in the fridge. Most can last four to six months if stored correctly. Soft cheeses last one to two weeks in the fridge after opening, while most hard cheeses last three to four weeks.
