Is it Safe to Eat Turkey Bacon After the Expiration Date?

Turkey bacon has become a popular lower-fat alternative to traditional pork bacon. But like any perishable food, turkey bacon has a limited shelf life Its expiration date indicates when it’s optimally fresh but does not necessarily mean it’s unsafe to eat if it’s been kept properly

So can you still dig into a pack of turkey bacon that’s slightly past its date stamp? Let’s explore the safety considerations around expired turkey bacon

Understand the Expiration Date

Food packages often have two dates – an expiration date and a “best by/before” date:

• Expiration date – The last date recommended for use at peak quality Turkey bacon should not be consumed after this date.

• Best by/before date – Recommended timeframe for best flavor or quality. Turkey bacon may still be fine to eat for a short time after.

So if your unopened turkey bacon is past its “best by” date, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to trash it. You may have some flex room if it has been stored properly.

How Long Does Turkey Bacon Last?

When stored correctly in the fridge, fresh unopened turkey bacon generally lasts:

• Raw turkey bacon strips: 5-7 days past pack date

• Cooked turkey bacon: 3-4 days

Once opened, turkey bacon lasts about 7-10 days refrigerated. But always rely on smell and appearance rather than the calendar to determine if turkey bacon has gone bad.

Can You Freeze Turkey Bacon?

To extend its shelf life, turkey bacon can be frozen before the expiration date:

• Raw turkey bacon can be frozen 6-8 months.

• Cooked turkey bacon keeps 3-4 months frozen.

Properly wrap turkey bacon portions in freezer bags or paper before freezing. Defrost overnight in the fridge before using.

Is Expired Turkey Bacon Dangerous?

Eating turkey bacon a few days past its expiration increases your risk of possible foodborne illness. Here are key risks to be aware of:

• Bacterial growth – Spoiled turkey bacon may contain harmful bacteria like salmonella, E. coli, or listeria.

• Food poisoning – Consuming bacteria may cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever.

• Severe illness – High-risk groups like children, pregnant women, and elderly may develop severe illness from foodborne bacteria.

While normally very low risk when fresh, bacteria levels can multiply over time in expired turkey bacon. Always inspect and smell turkey bacon before consumption.

Signs Turkey Bacon Has Gone Bad

Watch for these red flags that indicate turkey bacon is spoiled and should be discarded:

• Slimy or sticky texture

• Grayish color

• Dull or slick appearance

• Strong, unpleasant odors

• Presence of mold or slime

• Rancid smell

If in doubt, remember it’s better to be safe than sorry! A stomach bug is not worth the risk.

Safety Tips for Expired Turkey Bacon

Follow these tips for maximum safety when dealing with potentially expired turkey bacon:

• Verify the original pack date to determine true expiration.

• Inspect all turkey bacon closely before use. Look for signs of spoilage.

• Smell the turkey bacon. Rancid or odd smells mean toss it.

• When in doubt, throw it out! Don’t risk getting sick.

• Keep turkey bacon refrigerated at all times; don’t leave it out more than 2 hours.

• Cook turkey bacon thoroughly to destroy bacteria. Internal temp should reach 165°F.

• Avoid giving expired turkey bacon to high-risk groups like pregnant women and young children.

Being cautious with questionable turkey bacon reduces your risks. Remember – safety over savings when it comes to meat products.

Storing Turkey Bacon Properly

To get the longest safe shelf life from your turkey bacon:

• Store unopened packs as labeled until the expiration date.

• Keep turkey bacon refrigerated at 40°F or below. The freezer will prolong shelf life.

• Make sure the fridge/freezer is clean to avoid cross-contamination.

• Allow air circulation in the fridge so cool air can properly circulate around packages.

• Place turkey bacon on plates or trays in the fridge to prevent pooling juices.

• Use oldest turkey bacon first and don’t overstock the refrigerator.

• Discard turkey bacon that is past recommended usage dates.

Proper storage and monitoring of expiration dates makes it less likely you’ll end up needing to toss spoiled turkey bacon.

The Bottom Line

Consuming turkey bacon slightly past its expiration date is generally not recommended from a food safety perspective. But as long as the product shows no signs of spoilage, was stored properly, and is cooked thoroughly, eating it shortly past its date may not always lead to health issues. However, it’s impossible to know how long is “too long” past the expiration. When dealing with perishable meat, it’s better to err on the side of caution if there’s any uncertainty. Your health is too important to risk over a few slices of turkey bacon. Follow smart storage rules, check packages for freshness, freeze extras when possible, and you can avoid having to make that toss-or-risk-it decision when a date stamp has passed.