Drinking expired orange juice is generally not recommended.
While the "expiration date" is often a "best by" date indicating peak quality, consuming juice past this point, especially if it has been opened or improperly stored, can potentially make you sick depending on how spoiled it is.
Why You Shouldn't Drink Expired Juice
Juice is a perishable product. Over time, even sealed juice can degrade, and once opened, it is susceptible to bacterial growth.
Based on information regarding expired juice:
- Health Risks: Drinking spoiled juice can lead to unpleasant symptoms like stomachaches and diarrhea. This is due to the growth of bacteria, mold, or yeast that occurs as the juice breaks down.
- Spoilage Factors: Spoilage is accelerated if the juice is not refrigerated properly. Unopened juice stored correctly might last longer, with some sources indicating it can last for 12 months if shelf-stable and unopened, but once the seal is broken, it needs to be consumed relatively quickly and kept cold.
- Signs of Spoilage: Even before the expiration date, look for signs like an off smell, fermented or alcoholic taste, discolored appearance, or swelling of the container.
What to Do with Expired Juice
- Check for Spoilage: If juice is past its date, visually inspect it and give it a sniff test. If anything seems off, discard it.
- Prioritize Safety: When in doubt, it's safer to err on the side of caution and throw away expired juice rather than risk getting sick.
In summary, while an expiration date isn't always a strict safety cutoff, drinking expired orange juice carries the risk of illness due to spoilage. Proper storage, particularly refrigeration, is crucial for maintaining quality and safety before the date.
