Jake Harper
Chicken is a staple in many diets, but it can be confusing to keep track of its freshness. The sell-by date on chicken packaging is intended for retailers, indicating when the product should be sold to ensure peak freshness. This date is not a safety marker, and chicken can typically be consumed 1-3 days past this date if stored properly. However, it's important to always check for signs of spoilage, such as changes in smell, texture, or colour. To extend the shelf life, chicken can be stored in the freezer for up to 9 months to a year. Consuming chicken safely is crucial, as approximately 1 million people in the United States fall ill from contaminated poultry annually.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is the sell-by date a safety marker? | No, it indicates when a store should sell the chicken for peak quality. |
| How long is chicken safe to eat after the sell-by date? | 1-2 days if stored properly. |
| What are the signs of spoilage? | Bad smell, texture changes, colour change, slime. |
| How long can raw chicken be stored in the freezer? | Up to 9 months. |
| How long can cooked chicken be stored in the freezer? | Up to 4 months. |
| What is the ideal temperature for the freezer? | -18°C or lower. |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken is generally safe to eat 1-2 days past its sell-by date
The "'sell-by'" date on chicken is intended for retailers, not consumers, and is an indication of the date by which chicken should be sold to ensure peak freshness. According to the USDA, this date tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is not a safety date.
However, provided that the chicken does not show signs of spoilage, it should be safe to consume 3 days beyond the sell-by date. If the chicken looks and smells fresh, it is probably safe. The best way to tell if raw chicken has gone bad is by its appearance, texture, and smell. Fresh raw chicken should be light pink in colour, while spoiled chicken may turn grey. It may also have an unappealing smell or slime.
If you want to extend the shelf life of your chicken, you can store it in the freezer for up to 9 months. Whole chicken can last up to 1 year in the freezer. Chicken pieces (e.g. breasts, thighs) can be stored for up to 9 months.
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It's recommended to cook or freeze chicken within 1-2 days of purchase
The sell-by date on chicken is intended for retailers, not consumers, and is an indication of the date by which chicken should be sold to ensure peak freshness. According to the USDA, this date tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is not a safety date.
The FDA advises consumers to purchase chicken before the sell-by date to ensure the freshest quality. However, it is recommended that raw chicken be cooked or frozen within 1 to 2 days of purchase. Beyond that, it may still be safe to eat, but it is at your own risk. Be sure to check for signs of spoilage before consuming. Raw chicken typically lasts in the fridge for up to 2 days past the sell-by date. If you want to extend its shelf life, you can store it in the freezer for up to 9 months.
The use-by date is the last date that the producer recommends eating the meat. After this date, it may not be of the best quality, but it may still be okay to cook and eat. The best-before date is a voluntary date set by the producer, indicating when the quality of food products may begin to decline. It is not a food safety issue.
It is important to note that consuming chicken safely is vital, as the FDA states that about one in every 25 packages of chicken is contaminated with salmonella. The CDC reports that approximately 1 million people in the United States fall ill from contaminated poultry annually. Therefore, it is essential to examine your chicken for signs of spoilage before cooking it. Fresh chicken should be light pink in colour, while spoiled chicken may turn grey, have an unappealing smell, or be slimy.
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Chicken is safe to eat up to its use-by date
Chicken is generally safe to eat up to its use-by date, but it's important to exercise caution and check for signs of spoilage. The "sell-by" date on chicken packaging is intended for retailers and indicates the date by which the product should be sold to ensure peak freshness. It is not a safety marker, and chicken can often be safely consumed 1-3 days past this date if stored properly.
The USDA and FDA advise purchasing chicken before the sell-by date to ensure the freshest quality. However, they also recommend cooking or freezing chicken within 1-2 days of purchase to reduce the risk of bacterial growth and food poisoning. While some sources suggest that chicken can be safe to consume up to 5 days past the sell-by date, it is important to use your best judgment and check for any signs of spoilage before cooking and consuming chicken.
The appearance, texture, and smell of chicken are good indicators of its freshness. Fresh raw chicken should have a light pink colour, and any changes in colour, such as grey hues, may indicate spoilage. An unpleasant smell or slime on the surface of the chicken are also signs that it has gone bad. It is important to examine these factors before cooking and consuming chicken, even if it is before the use-by date.
To extend the shelf life of chicken, it is recommended to store it in the freezer. Whole chicken can be stored in the freezer for up to a year, while chicken pieces can be stored for up to 9 months. Freezing chicken can help to preserve its quality and safety, but it is important to ensure that your freezer maintains a temperature of -18°C or lower to prevent spoilage.
In summary, chicken is generally safe to eat up to its use-by date, but it is important to exercise caution and check for signs of spoilage. Proper storage and handling of chicken are crucial to ensure its safety and reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.
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Raw chicken can be stored in the freezer for up to 9 months
The "sell-by" date on chicken is intended for retailers, not consumers, and indicates when the chicken should be sold to ensure peak freshness. According to the USDA, this date tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is not a safety date. After this date, the quality of the meat may decline, but it is still safe to cook and eat for up to 2 days beyond the sell-by date.
Raw chicken can be stored in the freezer for an extended period. Freezing food keeps it safe indefinitely, as dangerous pathogens cannot survive long-term freezing. However, the quality of the meat may deteriorate over time, leading to freezer burn, which affects the texture and flavour. Vacuum-sealed raw chicken can be stored in the freezer indefinitely without losing quality, while chicken stored in its original packaging may only last up to 9 months before showing signs of freezer burn.
To maximise the shelf life of raw chicken in the freezer, it is recommended to use freezer bags or airtight containers. Vacuum sealing the bag removes air, preventing freezer burn and extending the quality of the meat. It is also best to store the chicken in the deeper parts of the freezer to avoid temperature fluctuations.
When stored properly, raw chicken can be safely thawed and consumed after being frozen for an extended period. However, it is essential to check for signs of spoilage, such as discolouration, before consuming thawed chicken.
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Fresh chicken is light pink; spoiled chicken may turn grey
The "sell-by" date on chicken is intended for retailers, not consumers, and is an indication of the date by which chicken should be sold to ensure peak freshness. According to the USDA, this date tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is not a safety date. After that date, the quality of the meat may decline, but it is still safe to cook and eat, up to 2 days beyond the sell-by date. If you want to extend its shelf life, you can store it in the freezer for up to 9 months.
Fresh raw chicken is usually light pink in colour with white pieces of fat. It has a glossy, somewhat soft texture and should not be slimy, sticky, or tacky. If your hands have a slimy residue on them after touching raw chicken, this is a sign it has gone bad.
Spoiled chicken may turn grey or exhibit other colour changes such as yellow or green. However, it's important to note that not all colour changes indicate spoilage. Mild colour changes can occur due to the exposure of the chicken to light and oxygen, which causes oxidation and the breakdown of colour pigments.
In addition to colour changes, spoiled chicken may have an unpleasant smell, become sticky or tacky to the touch, or develop visible signs of spoilage such as mould growth. If any of these signs are present, the chicken should be discarded.
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Frequently asked questions
The sell-by date is intended for retailers, not consumers, and is an indication of the date by which chicken should be sold to ensure peak freshness. According to the USDA, you can safely eat chicken 1-2 days past this date if stored properly, but you should always check for signs of spoilage like bad smell or texture changes.
Fresh raw chicken should be light pink in colour. Spoiled chicken may turn grey, have an unappealing smell, or be slimy.
If you don't intend to use the chicken within 1-2 days of purchasing it, it is recommended that you freeze it. Whole chicken can last up to 1 year in the freezer, while chicken pieces can be stored for up to 9 months.
