Most people refer to the expiry date when determining how long they can keep the food around before throwing it away. But while this is a great way to go about food, it shouldn’t be the only one. The expiry date accounts that the food will be stored in ideal conditions, which often isn’t the case. This is why you should also keep track of the common signs of food spoilage that can tell you when your food isn’t safe to consume anymore.
Do you want to know how to spot the food that needs to end in the trash ASAP? Continue reading below.
Mold
Probably the most obvious sign that the food is unsafe to eat is mold. If you notice that your food is covered in dark spots or mold patches, don’t even think about it and toss it into the trash right away. This will also help you keep other food safe as the mold can spread quickly from one item to another.
Bad Smell
When bacteria, yeasts, and mold start developing in your food, they give off a bad smell. This is why you should immediately throw away the food items that smell pungent, rancid, or overall stinky, as this is an obvious sign that something is wrong.
Different Color
Your banana was yellow and not it’s black or filled with brown spots? Then you maybe don’t want to use it for your banana smoothie. The same goes for all other food items. The change of color is usually a foolproof way of knowing that your food turned bad.
Change of Texture
The change of texture is another way to spot food spoilage. For example, if the meat developed slime or feels soggy, then it’s past the point of no return. Also, when veggies and fruit become mushy and soft, you should be better off skipping them.
Damaged Package
A damaged package indicates that the food item might not have been stored properly before you picked it up in the grocery store. You should especially be careful when eating canned food since damaged cans represent a great environment for the growth of bacteria.
