It’s time to take a look through your fridge.Â
According to experts, a handful of common household condiments can be dangerous once they pass their expiration date. Aside from an eerie taste and potentially foul odor, condiments that have been opened and sitting in your fridge for too long can cause illness.
These are the most threatening condiments to consider going through in your kitchen before you accidentally make a sandwich with year-old, mold-infested sauces.
Mayonnaise
The USDA states that after mayonnaise is opened, it’s usable for up to two months. However, if an already-opened container is sitting out all day without refrigeration, it’s definitely a good idea to part ways with it.
Because of heavy raw egg bases, letting mayonnaise or any mayo-based products sit in a room-temperature environment or live in your fridge longer than its given expiration date increases the risk of contracting foodborne illnesses like Salmonella. You’ll probably notice a different taste and smell when it’s lived the best of its life, as well.
Anything containing mayonnaise should be thrown out once it reaches its expiration. Dipping options like tartar sauces and aiolis are mayo-based and also hold major red flags for fast expiration.
Unopened mayonnaise has a shelf life of around three to four months.
Salad Dressings
Creamy salad dressings, when not replaced frequently, are breeding grounds for foodborne illnesses as well. Many contain varieties of egg or cheese-based ingredients, which can quickly go bad and increase chances of bacteria growth if not disposed of after the labeled expiration date.
Like mayonnaise, salad dressings have a life of up to two months after the seal has been broken.
Additionally, take note of oily salad dressings that taste more bitter than usual. This is caused by oxidation and is probably a sign it’s time to replenish your stock.
Sugary Sauces
Many store-bought sauces like ketchup, barbecue sauce and cocktail sauce are made with sugary preservatives that help give it a longer shelf life. However, that doesn’t mean the expiration date is a suggestion.
Unopened sugary sauce products can last up to 12 months in your pantry. Once opened, you have about six months of use before your sauce might start becoming moldy. Keep an eye (and nose) out for discoloration, odd smells and a fuzzy-like mold growth to prevent consuming a sauce that’s gone bad.
Condiments Rich in Vinegar
A variety of condiments in your fridge are likely made with some variation of vinegar. High vinegar content sauces including mustard and Worcestershire sauce can last up to three years in the pantry, but only around 12 months once the seal is broken and you’ve begun refrigerating.
Be sure to monitor odd smells and taste as you would with any other condiment before using.
Soy Sauce
Similar to vinegar-based condiments, soy sauce has a longer shelf life compared to other common go-to sauces. Unopened, soy sauce can be safe to have on stock for up to three years. Like everything else, though, soy sauce does have a recommended expiration date after opened and used.
Use soy sauce within a year of opening. Beware of stale smells, as there is a possibility for bacteria to grow regardless of its salty base.
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