Is Ham Safe To Eat After The Use By Date? How Long It Lasts, Storage Tips, and Safety Facts

Ham is a delicious staple at holiday gatherings and weekend brunches. But with its longer shelf life compared to other meats you may wonder – is ham safe to eat after the use by date? This detailed guide covers everything you need to know about ham freshness safety, storage, and what those dates really mean.

Understanding Ham Date Labels

Before determining if ham is okay to eat past its date, it helps to understand what those printed dates actually indicate. Here are the main labels you may see on packaged ham:

• Sell By Date – This is for retailer use and indicates the last day the product should be sold. Ham is still safe to eat for 1-2 weeks past this date.
• Use By Date – The last date recommended for use while ham is at peak quality. It will still be safe for another week after.
• Best If Used By – An advisory date indicating when the ham is best in terms of flavor and texture Not a safety date,
• Freeze By Date – The last date recommended for freezing raw ham at home. Freezing keeps it safe indefinitely.
• Expiration Date – You probably won’t see this, as there are no required expiration dates for ham in the US. Dates are more about quality than safety.

The takeaway? Those dates are generally conservative estimates for peak freshness. Except for the freeze by date, they are not firm cut-offs for when ham becomes unsafe.

How Long Does Ham Last After The Sell By Date?

How long ham lasts past its date depends on whether it’s unopened versus opened

• Unopened ham – 1 to 2 weeks past the sell by date as long as it’s been refrigerated properly. The use by date allows even more wiggle room.
• Opened ham – 5 to 7 days past the sell by date if stored in the fridge. Only reheat fully cooked ready-to-eat hams like deli slices.

Freezing ham enables it to last up to 4 months past any printed date. Just pay attention for signs of spoilage once thawed.

Does Cured Ham Go Bad?

Cured ham does eventually go bad, but the curing process gives it a substantially longer shelf life compared to fresh pork.

Dry cured hams aged for months or years can even last at room temperature for some time before spoiling. But for packaged deli ham, treat it like regular raw meat – store in the fridge and look for signs of spoilage once the date passes.

How To Tell If Ham Has Gone Bad

Since ham can be safe beyond the date, it’s important to know the signs of spoiled ham:

• Slimy or sticky texture – Fresh ham should be firm and dry to the touch. Sliminess indicates bacteria growth.
• Grey, green or black areas – This color variation signals mold or other microbes. Safe pork is light pink.
• Dull or faded color – Greyish rather than pink meat indicates loss of freshness.
• Strong, unpleasant odors – Rancid or sour smells mean spoilage microbes are present. Toss immediately.
• Mold growth – Dry cured whole hams may get harmless surface mold. But mold elsewhere means do not eat.

When inspecting older ham, it’s best to err on the side of caution if you see any of these red flags.

Proper Ham Storage

Storing ham correctly ensures it stays fresher longer after the date on the package. Here are some tips:

• Keep ham refrigerated at 40°F or below. Use within 3-5 days of opening.
• Seal deli ham packages tightly or wrap ham chunks in plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
• Don’t cross-contaminate foods by allowing raw ham juices to drip on other items.
• Divide large packages into smaller portions for easier use within recommended times.
• Freeze ham in air-tight freezer bags up to 4 months for maximum freshness.

With proper refrigeration, an unopened ham can last 1-2 weeks past the printed date, but keep your eyes peeled for any off smells, textures, or mold once opened.

Can You Eat Ham After It Turns Slimy?

No, you should never eat ham after it turns slimy or sticky, even if it’s before the sell by date. This texture change indicates spoilage bacteria have started growing. Eating slimy ham puts you at risk for food poisoning. Always discard ham with an abnormal appearance or texture.

Is It Safe To Eat Canned Ham After Use By Date?

With an unopened vacuum-sealed can, canned ham can safely be eaten 1 to 5 years past the “best by” date on the label. Over time, the taste, color, and texture degrade but the contents remain safe, reports StillTasty. Opened canned ham lasts 3 to 5 days refrigerated. Discard cans with any rust, dents, or swelling.

Can Cooked Ham Sit At Room Temperature Overnight?

Cooked ham should not sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Leaving cooked ham out overnight can allow bacteria like staphylococcus aureus to multiply quickly and produce toxins. Reheat cooked ham to 165°F before consuming for food safety.

How To Freeze and Thaw Ham Safely

Freezing and thawing ham correctly helps prevent bacterial growth and contamination. Here are some recommendations:

• Chill ham thoroughly before freezing to reduce microbe proliferation.
• Double wrap fresh ham in freezer bags or foil. Remove as much air as possible.
• Use cooked/deli ham within 2 months for best quality. Cured hams last 4+ months frozen.
• Thaw frozen ham for 2 days in the fridge. Do not thaw at room temperature.
• Cook thawed ham immediately until steaming hot 160°F+. Do not refreeze thawed raw ham.

Can You Get Food Poisoning From Bad Ham?

Yes, you can get food poisoning from ham that has gone bad, usually from Listeria, Salmonella, or pathogenic E. coli bacteria. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headaches, and stomach cramps within 1-3 days of eating contaminated ham. Food poisoning usually resolves on its own within 3-5 days but see a doctor if severe.

Is Deli Ham Already Cooked?

Most deli hams you buy pre-sliced are already fully cooked and ready to eat. You can enjoy them immediately without additional heating. However, some hams may still contain curing ingredients that require cooking to 160°F for safety, so check the label. Pre-cooked hams are perishable and must be refrigerated.

Can You Eat Pink Ham Raw?

It’s not recommended to eat fresh raw ham, even when still pink. Raw pork can harbor parasites and bacteria that cause foodborne disease. Cook fresh ham to an internal temperature of 145°F with a 3 minute rest time to kill any potential pathogens present. Fully cooked ham, however, is safe to eat cold.

Is It Okay To Eat Ham With White Spots?

White spots on deli ham or cooked ham are usually caused by calcium or tyrosine crystals that form as the meat cures and ages. These calcium deposits are harmless, though the ham may start drying out. Small white spots are generally safe to eat. However, if you see mold growth on cooked ham, discard it.

The Bottom Line – Ham Lasts Longer Than You Think

Thanks to curing and smoking processes that preserve meat and inhibit microbial growth, ham’s shelf life extends well beyond many raw pork products. While ham can technically be eaten 1-2 weeks past the sell by date if properly stored, you need to watch carefully for signs of spoilage like sliminess, discoloration, or sour odors.

Adhering to safe refrigerator temperatures, avoiding cross-contamination, and freezing ham for long-term storage are the best ways to maximize shelf life. But when in doubt, remember: date labels offer general timelines, not hard and fast safety cut-offs. So rely on your senses, proper handling, and cooking temperatures to determine if older ham is safe to eat or has finally gone to the big deli case in the sky.