The use-by date printed on food packaging is meant to indicate the last date by which the manufacturer guarantees the product will be at peak quality. Chicken and other meats often come with a use-by date to signify when they should be eaten or frozen by for maximum freshness and flavor. However, the use-by date does not necessarily mean the chicken is unsafe to eat after that date.
There are some factors to consider when deciding whether chicken is still okay to eat after the use-by date has passed. This article will go over how to tell if chicken is bad, how to store chicken properly, what the use-by date really means, and provide safety guidelines for consuming chicken past its prime.
How to Tell If Chicken Has Gone Bad
Since use-by dates are not exact expiration dates, you often have to rely on your senses and proper food handling practices to know if chicken has spoiled. Here are the signs that indicate your chicken has gone bad and is unsafe to eat:
Smell
Fresh chicken has a mild odor. Rancid chicken smells unpleasant, with a sour, ammonia-like or rotten odor. Trust your nose – if it smells bad, it is bad.
Color
Raw chicken naturally has a pink, fleshy color. Bad chicken will start to appear greyish at the edges as it spoils. Cooked chicken can turn green, blue or gray when it has gone bad.
Texture
Fresh chicken feels moist and firm. Spoiled chicken becomes slimy and sticky and loses its firmness.
Mold
You may see fuzzy mold growing on old chicken. This is an obvious sign to throw it out.
Discoloration
As it spoils, chicken can start to become more dull, spotty or darker in places on the surface. These are signs bacterial growth is occurring.
Proper Chicken Storage
To maximize the shelf life of your chicken and keep it safe, proper storage is essential. Here are some tips:
Keep chicken refrigerated
Raw chicken should always be refrigerated at 40°F or below to prevent bacterial overgrowth. Freeze it by the use-by date if you won’t use it in time.
Don’t store too long
Cook or freeze raw chicken within 1-2 days of purchasing it. Don’t let it linger in the fridge for more than a few days past the printed date.
Watch storage time after thawing
Once frozen chicken is thawed in the refrigerator, it should be cooked within 1-2 days.
Handle carefully
Raw chicken can contaminate your hands, cutting boards, utensils and counters. Always thoroughly wash hands and anything the raw chicken touches to avoid cross contamination.
Don’t refreeze thawed chicken
Refreezing chicken that has been thawed can allow bacteria to grow to dangerous levels. Only refreeze if the chicken has been cooked after thawing.
Proper refrigeration and freezing are the best ways to prolong the shelf life of chicken beyond the use-by date.
What Does the Use-By Date Mean?
The use-by date is not technically an expiration date, so what does it mean? Here are some key facts about use-by dates:
Peak quality date
The use-by date is the manufacturer’s estimate of when the unopened product will be at peak freshness and flavor. It will still be safe to eat for some time after.
Refrigerated products guideline
For perishable foods like chicken that are refrigerated, the use-by date is a general guideline for peak quality set by the manufacturer.
Temperature control
The use-by date is based on proper constant refrigeration at 40°F or below. Higher temperatures can speed up spoilage.
Doesn’t account for opening
Use-by dates are meant for unopened products. Once opened, food will deteriorate faster so you can’t rely on the printed date.
Not a safety date
While the use-by date indicates peak freshness, it is not an exact expiration date or safety date unless stated on the label.
The use-by date is ultimately an estimate that assumes proper handling. The printed date alone does not confirm whether chicken is safe or not.
How Long After the Use-By Date Can Chicken Be Eaten?
So how long past the use-by date is chicken still okay to cook and eat? Here are some general guidelines:
1-2 days past date
Generally, chicken that is refrigerated at 40°F or below can maintain good quality for 1-2 days after the printed use-by date, especially if unopened.
3-5 days past date
If the chicken has been constantly refrigerated, it should be safe to eat for 3-5 days past the use-by date, but the quality declines. Inspect carefully and cook thoroughly.
1 week past date
Cook and freeze any raw chicken within 1 week past the printed date for best quality and safety. Inspect carefully before cooking.
2 weeks past date
At 2 weeks past date, raw chicken should be discarded. Even when cooked thoroughly, the quality and safety are not reliable.
Opened packages
Once opened, use chicken within 3-4 days and don’t rely on the original use-by date. Reseal packages and keep refrigerated.
Frozen chicken
If frozen before use-by date, chicken can be kept frozen up to 9 months and maintain quality. Thaw safely in fridge.
Trust your senses. If chicken smells, looks or feels bad or slimy, throw it out regardless of the date. Otherwise, use the 1-2 week guideline for maxiumum freshness and safety past the printed use-by date.
Tips for Safely Cooking and Eating Chicken After Use-by Date
Chicken that is past the use-by date requires extra care. Here are some important safety guidelines:
Inspect carefully
Check the whole package for an off smell, sliminess, or discoloration. If anything seems amiss, don’t risk it.
Wash thoroughly
Wash hands, counters, cutting boards and utensils very well after contact with older chicken to avoid spreading bacteria.
Cook thoroughly
Older chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F to kill any bacteria present.
Cook right away
Don’t let chicken linger in the fridge after the package is opened. Cook within 1-2 days max.
Avoid at-risk groups
The very young, elderly, pregnant women and those with weak immune systems should not eat chicken past use-by dates.
Monitor for illness
If you feel sick after consuming chicken past its date, seek medical care.
With proper handling and inspection, chicken can often be safely eaten within 1 week past the printed use-by date. Be especially cautious with raw chicken and prepare any overdue chicken thoroughly before eating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you eat bad chicken?
Eating spoiled chicken can cause food poisoning symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, fever, chills, headaches and body aches. In severe cases it can progress to a serious, life-threatening illness.
Can you get sick from eating old chicken if it’s cooked thoroughly?
Proper cooking can destroy bacteria on old chicken, but it may not prevent all risk of foodborne illness. Cooking can’t remove toxins that bacteria produce as chicken spoils. If chicken is well past its prime, it’s best not to eat it.
How can you tell if cooked chicken has gone bad?
Signs that cooked chicken has spoiled include mold, an unpleasant sour or ammonia-like smell, dryness or tackiness, and an unsafe change in color to gray, green or blue. Trust your senses – if it seems off, throw it out.
Is it safe to freeze chicken after the use-by date?
Raw chicken that is not past its prime can be safely frozen up to the printed use-by date, but quality declines after. For best quality, freeze chicken 1-2 days before the use-by date printed on the package.
Can you freeze and eat chicken after the use-by date?
Previously-frozen chicken that has been in the fridge for under a week past its use-by date can be safely refrozen and eaten if handled properly. Inspect carefully and make sure it has been constantly refrigerated before refreezing.
The Bottom Line
The use-by date on chicken packaging is a helpful guideline, but not an absolute expiration date. Chicken can often be safely eaten within 1 week past its use-by date, provided it has been handled and stored properly in temperatures at 40°F or below.
Always inspect chicken closely and rely on your senses. Be extra careful with chicken that is past its prime, cook it thoroughly to 165°F, and take extra safety precautions against cross contamination and foodborne illness. If in doubt, remember the old adage – when in doubt, throw it out.