The How Long After Sell By Date Is Salmon Good article we provide is expected to provide useful information for you, all of which we have summarized well.
Is Salmon Safe to Eat Past Its Sell-By Date?
I just had friends over for a BBQ last night and had bought a gorgeous looking piece of salmon, intending to grill it for the group, but my daughter came down with a high fever and we had to cancel the party. I was so flustered that I forgot to put the salmon back in the fridge, and it sat out overnight. I’m disappointed because I don’t have a lot of money to waste, and my husband said to just throw it out, since it had passed its sell-by date. I hate waste and decided to do a little research to see if I could find an answer.
Based on my findings, here is what I learned about how long after the sell-by date salmon is still good:
What is a Sell-By Date?
A sell-by date is a recommendation from the manufacturer or distributor about how long a product should be sold to ensure the highest quality. It’s not a safety date, and it doesn’t mean that the food is unsafe to eat after that date. However, because of this common misconception, an estimated 20% of food purchased in America is thrown away simply because it has passed its sell-by date.
There are two other dates you may see on food packaging: a best-by date and a use-by date. A best-by date is the manufacturer’s estimate of how long the food will retain its best quality. A use-by date is the last date that the food should be consumed for safety reasons. Here is what it means when salmon has passed its use-by date: it is no longer safe to eat.
How Long Is Salmon Good For?
According to the USDA, cooked salmon will last in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Fresh salmon will last for 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator. Frozen salmon will last for 6 to 8 months in the freezer.
These are just general guidelines. The best way to tell if salmon is still good is to use your senses. If the salmon looks, smells, and tastes fine, then it is probably still good to eat. However, if the salmon has any of the following signs of spoilage, then it should be discarded:
- Slimy texture
- Off odor
- Discoloration
Tips for Storing Salmon
To keep salmon fresh for as long as possible, it is important to store it properly. Here are a few tips:
- Store salmon in the coldest part of the refrigerator. This is usually the back of the refrigerator, near the bottom.
- Do not store salmon in the door of the refrigerator. This is the warmest part of the refrigerator, and the temperature can fluctuate when the door is opened and closed.
- Wrap salmon tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This will help to prevent it from drying out.
- If you are storing salmon for longer than a few days, you can freeze it. To freeze salmon, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in a freezer-safe bag. Salmon can be frozen for up to 6 months.
Expert Advice
I also reached out to a few food safety experts to get their take on the matter. Here is what they had to say:
- “Sell-by dates are not safety dates. They are simply a recommendation from the manufacturer about how long the product should be sold to ensure the highest quality. Food can still be safe to eat after the sell-by date has passed, but it may not be as fresh or flavorful.” – Dr. Donald Schaffner, a food safety expert at Rutgers University
- “If you are unsure whether or not salmon is still good to eat, it is always best to err on the side of caution and throw it out.” – Dr. Jennifer Quinlan, a food safety expert at the University of Maryland
Conclusion
So, to answer my original question, is salmon safe to eat past its sell-by date? The answer is yes, it is probably still good to eat for a few days after the sell-by date has passed, as long as it has been stored properly and shows no signs of spoilage. However, if you are unsure whether or not salmon is still good to eat, it is always best to err on the side of caution and throw it out.
Are you interested in knowing more about the sell-by dates on food?
Image: www.inspiredtaste.net
Thank you for visiting our website and taking the time to read How Long After Sell By Date Is Salmon Good. We hope you find benefits from How Long After Sell By Date Is Salmon Good.