How Long Is Yogurt Good for After the Expiration Date? (2024)

Find out if it’s still safe to eat yogurt after the expiration date. Plus, learn how to tell if yogurt has gone bad with four helpful indicators.

By

Alex Loh

How Long Is Yogurt Good for After the Expiration Date? (1)

Alex Loh isEatingWell's associate food editor. As part of the food team, she creates healthy, delicious recipes for theEatingWellaudience. Alex also writes informative food and cooking articles that range from how to store ground beef to the best picks from Trader Joe's. Alex conducts product and taste tests to find the best options, from salad spinners to salsas.

Published on June 22, 2022

From savory recipes like Red Lentil Fritters with Ginger-Yogurt Sauce to sweet bites like Strawberry-Chocolate Greek Yogurt Bark, yogurt is a tasty ingredient to keep on hand. While there are unlimited uses for it in the kitchen, yogurt does have a limited shelf life. The Department of Agriculture recommends storing yogurt for up to two weeks in the refrigerator—but is it still OK to eat yogurt beyond its expiration date? Read on to find out, and learn how to determine if yogurt has gone bad.

How Long Is Yogurt Good for After the Expiration Date?

Generally, yogurt may be good for up to two weeks after its expiration date. However, the date you're reading on the yogurt container probably isn't an expiration date, but a "Best If Used By/Before" or "Use-By" date. Federal law only requires product dating on infant formula, but manufacturers typically add these dates to other products for consumers' sake. A "Best if Used By/Before" date indicates when a product will have the best flavor and quality, while a "Use-By" date is the last recommended date to use the product while it's still at its best. So if the yogurt container is still in your fridge after the stamped date, you don't need to automatically throw it out. Instead, check to see if the yogurt has gone bad first before potentially consuming it.

How to Tell If Yogurt Has Gone Bad

Smell

Similar to milk, you can do a quick smell check to see if yogurt has gone bad. If yogurt smells sour or rancid, it's best to throw it out. Just be aware that some types of yogurt, especially plain yogurt, may have a light tangy scent. If you're unsure if your yogurt is OK, it's best to stay on the safe side and toss it. You can also look for the other indicators of spoilage below.

How Long Is Yogurt Good for After the Expiration Date? (2)

Texture

Another way to judge if yogurt has gone bad is by examining the texture. Yogurt is supposed to be smooth and creamy, so if you open the container and notice it has curdled, it's time to toss it. You'll know yogurt has curdled if there are lumps or curds in the product.

Liquid

When you open a container of yogurt, it's natural to see some liquid at the surface. You may have thought it was water, but it's actually whey, a natural byproduct of milk. It's normal for some whey to appear, especially after a container has been opened. However, if you open a container to find an excess amount of liquid, it's best to skip eating the yogurt, especially if you're noticing other indications of spoilage.

Visual Appearance

The final way to check if yogurt has gone bad is by doing a visual assessment. If you open a container and notice mold on the yogurt's surface, it's no longer safe to eat. While yogurt is technically made with bacteria, the dairy product can still develop harmful bacteria that can lead to illness.

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The Bottom Line

While it is safe to eat yogurt after its "Best if Used By/Before" or "Use-By" date, be sure to check that it's still fresh before consuming it. If your container of yogurt has any signs of spoilage, like a rancid smell or curdled texture, it's best to toss it out. For more on yogurt, learn how to freeze yogurt and how long yogurt can sit out at room temperature.

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How Long Is Yogurt Good for After the Expiration Date? (2024)

FAQs

How Long Is Yogurt Good for After the Expiration Date? ›

According to the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service Foodkeeper app, yogurt should be consumed within 1 to 2 weeks of the purchase date. (This time frame assumes you've been refrigerating your yogurt, by the way.) After that, there's no guarantee that your yogurt is still safe to eat. It's best to throw it out.

How long is yogurt good for after the expiration date? ›

That said, it is best to follow the recommendations provided by the USDA—use yogurt within one to two weeks after the date of purchase. And if you notice signs of spoilage, the "use by" date and the recommendation no longer matters—throw it out.

How long can you use after the expiration date? ›

Sell-By Date: Refers to the last day a retailer can display a product for sale; typically a food is safe to eat for 10 days after the Sell-by Date if refrigerated properly. Use-By Date: Refers to the last day a product will maintain its optimum freshness, flavor, and texture.

Can you eat Activia yogurt after the expiration date? ›

Is it possible to consume Activia after its expiry date? Like all dairy products, yogurt should preferably be eaten by the “best before” date. However, if it is only slightly past the expiry date, there is no danger. The product will simply contain fewer living bacteria and the taste could be slightly more acidic.

How do you know if expired yogurt is still good? ›

*If liquid gets cloudy, thick or slimy - don't eat. *If yogurt smells or is unusually lumpy - don't eat. *If yogurt has an orange/pinkish colour on top - that's the start of mold - don't eat. *If yogurt has any signs of mold - don't scoop out the mold - the whole container is unsafe.

How long does yogurt last unopened? ›

Unopened yogurt generally has a relatively long shelf life, especially if it's refrigerated properly. Depending on the specific type and brand, unopened yogurt can typically last beyond its "best by" or expiration date by about 1-2 weeks if stored at the proper temperature.

Which drugs should never be used past their expiration date? ›

Examples include:
  • Anticoagulants & antiplatelets (blood thinners)
  • Epinephrine pens.
  • Inhalers (especially rescue inhalers)
  • Insulin.
  • Nitroglycerine tablets.
  • Seizure medications.
  • Thyroid medications.
Aug 23, 2023

What foods can you not eat after the expiration date? ›

Keeping all that intel in mind, ahead are 13 foods that do not fare well after their expiration dates, according to experts.
  • Infant Formula. ...
  • Meats. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Soft Cheeses. ...
  • Deli Meat. ...
  • Fiddleheads. ...
  • Strawberries. ...
  • Ground Spices.
Apr 20, 2023

What happens if we use after expiry date? ›

After the expiry date medicines may not be safe or as effective. You should not take medicines after their expiry date. If you've had a medicine for a while, check the expiry date before using it. You should also make sure that you've stored the medicine properly, as described on the packaging or leaflet.

Can I eat yogurt that expired 2 months ago on Reddit? ›

If it smells fresh and it visually looks normal with no strangeness or yuckiness inside then you're fine. Expiration date is helpful but not a rule. Simply an estimation from the place that packaged it! Enjoy it!

Can I make yogurt from expired yogurt? ›

Use your expiring yogurt to make a delicious batch of homemade yogurt. Do you have that tub of leftover yogurt that you think you may not be able to finish by its expiry date?

Can I freeze yogurt? ›

Can you freeze yoghurt? Yes, you can freeze yoghurt but you should be mindful that its texture will change, becoming thinner and less creamy. It will still be fine to use in cooking or smoothies. To freeze small amounts of yoghurt, pop it in ice cube trays, then transfer cubes to a freezer bag and expel air.

Can you eat expired peanut butter? ›

It will be fine - peanut butter lasts months or so after the date on them. It is not an expiry date by the way, it is a best before date - that it will taste better before that date. Peanut butter is made with a lot of preservatives so that it has a shelf life of years - so no worries.

Can I eat expired eggs? ›

"Those expiration dates are on some egg cartons to make sure that retailers don't keep eggs on shelves past a certain date," Maloberti says. "However, eggs can be safely eaten two to three weeks past that date. Depending on where [you live], the expiration date may be labeled as Sell By, Use By, Exp. By or Best By."

Can dogs eat yogurt? ›

Yes, dogs can eat plain, unsweetened yogurt in moderation. Yogurt provides dogs with protein, calcium, and probiotics for gut health. Some dogs might not like the sour taste or creamy texture of yogurt. Avoid yogurt with added sugars, artificial sweeteners, or toxic fruits.

Does yogurt go bad in the fridge? ›

The United States Food and Drug Administration inspects other foods. Yogurt can be stored in the refrigerator (40 ºF) one to two weeks or frozen (0 ºF) for one to two months. Soft cheeses such as cottage cheese, ricotta or Brie can be refrigerated one week but they don't freeze well.

How long does yogurt last in the fridge after opening? ›

Better to be hungry and safe than sick and sorry! So, as much as you may want to push it, consider your opened yogurt best by around 7 to 10 days (give or take) in the refrigerator. Proper sealing, refrigeration, and attention to the product's ingredients are crucial for maintaining yogurt's freshness.

Is watery yogurt safe to eat? ›

You can, however, be rest assured that the watery stuff isn't compromising the safety of your snack: Whey rising to the top has nothing to do with spoilage. As for what could be a sign of a food safety issue? Any changes in color, an off smell, or a bad taste can indicate your yogurt has gone bad, says the USDA.

How long are danimals good for after expiration? ›

The "best if used by" date on the package reflects the month and the day by which the yogurt should be consumed for optimal flavor, freshness, and quality. We are unable to recommend enjoying our product beyond the “best if used by” date stamped on the container.

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