Expired mozzarella: can we eat it?

Mozzarella is a popular Italian cheese made from cow's or buffalo's milk. Often used in pizzas and salads because of its soft texture and mild taste, it is a hit with young and old alike. However, it can happen that it gets lost at the back of the refrigerator, and when you find it, its expiry date has passed. But then, can you eat expired mozzarella? It is important to answer this question because, as with all expired foods, there can be health risks.

Can you eat expired mozzarella?

Can we eat mozzarella after the date? It is generally not advisable to eat mozzarella whose expiry date has passed to avoid any risk of food poisoning. However, a nuance concerning this rule must be made between pasteurized mozzarella and raw milk mozzarella. Check out the detailed explanations below.

Pasteurized, raw or open mozzarella: the differences in expiration

All the foodstuffs contain an expiry date linked to the estimated rate of proliferation of bacteria. Indeed, it is normal for bacteria to grow on food; and when a food is stored at inappropriate temperatures or when its expiry date has passed, its growth can accelerate and then become dangerous for health.

However, there are two types of expiry date :

• the expiry date which is a sanitary date, to be followed strictly because it concerns highly perishable foodstuffs. The risk of bacterial proliferation is therefore high after this date.
• the date of minimum durability which is an indicative date, simply recommended to follow because it concerns low-perishable foodstuffs. The risk of bacterial development is lower after this date.

Mozzarella can be found commercially in pasteurized or raw milk form:

1. If the mozzarella is made from pasteurized milk, the date indicated is an indicative date. You can then consume it maximum within 15 days after the expiry date indicated. You will still need to be careful that it has been stored in optimal conditions and that it meets all the health criteria when you open its packaging. For this, we invite you to read our article on this subject: how do you know if the mozzarella is still good?. If the mozzarella doesn't look good to eat, don't take the risk and throw it away.

In all cases, fragile people should not eat mozzarella whose expiry date has passed. These are immunocompromised people, young children, the elderly as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women. Likewise, consume mozzarella preferably cooked when expired to eliminate most potentially developed pathogenic bacteria.

2 – If the mozzarella is raw milk, the date indicated is a sanitary date. You should not be consumed after the expiry date has passed, even 1 or 2 days later because the risk of bacterial proliferation is great. In this case, throw it away and take no risk.

3 – If the mozzarella is open, the expiry date is no longer to be taken into account. Consume it within 3 days following its opening. Pass this deadline, throw it away because the bacteria may have developed and cause you potentially serious food poisoning.

How do you know if mozzarella is raw milk or pasteurized milk? The mozzarellas that you find in supermarkets are pasteurized. Artisanal mozzarellas (purchased from greengrocers, cheese shops, markets, etc.) can be raw milk. In principle, when the mozzarella is raw milk, a note on the packaging tells you so. 

Expiration date exceeded: health risks

Consumption of expired mozzarella can in any case pose health risks. Bacteria such as Salmonella and Listeria can grow on stale mozzarella, causing food poisoning sometimes serious.

The common symptoms of a foodborne infection include vomiting, diarrhea, headache and fever. These symptoms can be especially dangerous for people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, small children, and the elderly. In addition, foodborne infections can also be more serious with consequences on the neurological or cardiovascular system.

This is why, to take no risk, we advise you to avoid eating expired mozzarella as much as possible, even if it has been pasteurized. Also remember to keep it in appropriate conditions to minimize the risks associated with consuming expired mozzarella.

How to store mozzarella?

To reduce the risk that the mozzarella expires, here is some recommendations for conservation of this cheese:

1. Store mozzarella at the proper temperature. Mozzarella should be stored at temperatures between 0 and 4 degrees Celsius to maintain freshness and prevent bacteria growth. If you buy mozzarella already packaged, check that the bag has not been opened or damaged.
2. Store mozzarella in an airtight container. To prevent mozzarella from drying out or spoiling, store it in an airtight container or in a resealable bag. If you buy mozzarella already cut, it should be wrapped in cling film.
3. Use the mozzarella quickly after opening it: If you have opened the package of the mozzarella, use it within 3 days to prevent it from deteriorating.
4. Wash your hands before handling the mozzarella to avoid cross-contamination.
5. Store mozzarella separately from other foods. To avoid cross-contamination, store opened mozzarella separately from other foods. Especially raw fruits and vegetables which may contain bacteria.
6. Don't freeze expired mozzarella. Bacterial growth accelerates during the thawing process and the risk of food poisoning increases.

By following these recommendations for storing mozzarella, you can minimize the risks of eating expired mozzarella. Once again, we would like to remind you that for food safety, it is better not to consume expired cheese.