15 Condiments That Can Make You Sick After Expiring, According to Experts

Condiments can add flavor and zest to meals but often sit in our refrigerators or pantries long past their prime. Many people are tempted to keep using condiments after their expiration date, thinking they’re harmless. However, food safety experts warn that some condiments can become a breeding ground for bacteria or lose their quality and taste. 

Eating expired condiments can lead to foodborne illnesses, so it’s important to know when to toss them. Here are 15 condiments you should never eat after they expire, according to food safety experts.

Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is particularly prone to spoilage because it’s made with eggs. Once expired, it can develop harmful bacteria like Salmonella, especially if it’s left out at room temperature. 

Even when refrigerated, expired mayonnaise can separate, change in texture, and develop an off smell. This condiment can cause food poisoning if consumed past its expiration date, so always check the label and discard it if it’s old.

Ketchup

Ketchup may seem like it can last forever, but once it hits its expiration date, its quality can degrade quickly. The vinegar in ketchup gives it some staying power, but over time, it can lose its tangy flavor and start to separate. 

Expired ketchup can also grow mold, which is a clear sign that it’s no longer safe to eat. For the best taste and safety, it’s important to use ketchup before it goes bad.

Mustard

While mustard can last longer than many other condiments due to its acidic nature, it’s not immune to spoilage. Once it passes its expiration date, the texture can become grainy, and it may lose its sharp flavor. 

In some cases, expired mustard can even develop a bitter taste or mold, which makes it unsafe to consume. Always store mustard properly and discard it if you notice any changes in taste or appearance.

Ranch Dressing

Ranch dressing is another condiment that should be tossed once it expires. Made with dairy products, it’s more likely to spoil after its expiration date, even if refrigerated. You might notice a sour smell, a change in texture, or separation in the dressing. 

Expired ranch dressing can harbor bacteria that can lead to foodborne illnesses, so it’s best not to take any risks and throw it out when it goes bad.

Soy Sauce

Although soy sauce is high in sodium, which acts as a preservative, it doesn’t last forever. After it expires, soy sauce can lose its flavor and develop an off taste. 

Mold or yeast can also grow in expired soy sauce if it’s not stored properly. While it may not cause immediate harm, the diminished quality of expired soy sauce can ruin the taste of your dishes.

Hot Sauce

Hot sauce can last for a while due to its vinegar content, but once it expires, the flavors can dull, and the sauce can separate. In some cases, mold may grow around the cap or inside the bottle. 

While expired hot sauce is unlikely to make you sick immediately, it can lose its heat and become unpleasant to eat. Always check the expiration date, and toss hot sauce that has gone bad.

Barbecue Sauce

Barbecue sauce, especially if opened, should be discarded after its expiration date. The sugars in barbecue sauce can ferment over time, causing the sauce to taste sour or off. Expired barbecue sauce can also develop mold, particularly around the lid. 

Using expired barbecue sauce can ruin your meal and might pose a risk to your health, so it’s better to replace it when it’s past its prime.

Tartar Sauce

Tartar sauce is made with mayonnaise and other perishable ingredients, making it prone to spoilage after its expiration date. Once expired, it can separate, develop an unpleasant odor, and even grow bacteria. 

Since it’s often used with seafood, consuming spoiled tartar sauce can be particularly risky. Always check the date on the bottle and discard any tartar sauce that has expired to avoid potential foodborne illness.

Salsa

Salsa, especially the fresh variety, should be used before it expires. Once it goes bad, salsa can develop mold, a sour smell, and a watery consistency. Even canned or jarred salsa can lose its flavor and quality over time. 

Eating expired salsa can cause stomach upset or food poisoning, so always keep an eye on the expiration date and discard any that’s past its prime.

Salad Dressing

Whether it’s a creamy dressing or vinaigrette, salad dressings should be thrown out after they expire. Cream-based dressings are especially prone to spoilage and can harbor harmful bacteria.

Vinaigrettes may separate and lose their flavor once expired, and some can develop mold. To ensure your salads are both safe and tasty, always use salad dressings before they go bad.

Relish

Relish is typically made from pickled vegetables, but that doesn’t mean it lasts forever. After the expiration date, relish can lose its crunch and tangy flavor, and it can even grow mold if stored improperly. 

Consuming expired relish can put you at risk for foodborne illnesses, so it’s best to discard it once it’s past its date. Always store relish in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life.

Worcestershire Sauce

Worcestershire sauce can last for a long time due to its vinegar content, but once it expires, the flavor can change dramatically. The sauce may lose its complex taste, and mold can develop if it’s stored in damp conditions. 

While expired Worcestershire sauce may not cause immediate harm, it’s best to replace it for the sake of flavor and food safety.

Horseradish

Horseradish is known for its sharp, spicy flavor, but after it expires, it can lose its potency and develop a bitter taste. The high moisture content makes it prone to bacterial growth once it’s expired. 

Spoiled horseradish can also grow mold, which is a clear sign it’s no longer safe to eat. To keep it fresh, store horseradish in the refrigerator and use it before it goes bad.

Fish Sauce

Fish sauce is another condiment that has a long shelf life, but once it expires, it can develop a strong, unpleasant odor. The flavors can become overly concentrated, and mold may appear around the cap if it’s not stored properly. 

Eating expired fish sauce can negatively affect the taste of your dishes and pose a risk to your health. Always check the expiration date and store fish sauce in a cool, dry place.

Aioli

Aioli, like mayonnaise, is made with eggs, making it particularly vulnerable to spoilage. Once expired, aioli can separate, develop a sour odor, and harbor harmful bacteria. 

Consuming expired aioli can lead to foodborne illnesses, so it’s important to use it before it goes bad. Always store aioli in the refrigerator and discard it if you notice any changes in texture or smell.

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