Is It Safe To Eat Cereal After The “Best By” Date?
What if you are looking for something to eat for breakfast, and you come across a box of cereal that’s been sitting there for… who knows how long. The only thing you can see on the label is the ominous “best by” date which you are well past. Is it safe to eat? Will it taste alright?
The short answer is yes, it is perfectly safe to eat cereal after the best by date. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First of all, the best by date is not an expiration date. The food will not go bad on that day; it simply means that the manufacturer can no longer guarantee the flavor or texture of the food. Therefore, it’s possible that the cereal won’t taste as good as it did when it was first made.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the cereal will gradually lose its freshness after the best by date. This means that it might not be as crunchy as you’re used to or that the flavor might be a little muted. If you’re okay with that, then go ahead and dig in! If not, you might want to consider giving it a pass.
Finally, if you do decide to eat cereal that’s past its best by date, make sure to check the box for any signs of tampering before you open it. If the seal has been broken or if there are any holes in the box, throw it out just to be safe. Make sure there is no mold, insects, or anything that might make the box unsafe to eat. It’s not nice to think about, but rodent damage is a popular source of cereal box destruction — a mouse will chew through a cereal box and even the bag given enough time alone.
Expiration Date?
While the “best by” date isn’t necessarily an expiration date, that doesn’t mean cereal is safe forever. Make use the cereal isn’t more than 6 months past the “best by” date. After this the chance of mold and other unpleasant — or even unsafe — effects will increase greatly.
Safe, For A Time
So there you have it! It is perfectly safe to eat cereal after its best by date, although there are a few things you should keep in mind. The cereal won’t taste as fresh as it did when it was first made, and it might not be as crunchy or flavorful. If you’re okay with that, then go ahead and enjoy your breakfast! Just make sure to check for any signs of tampering before you open the box.