What should be done with food stored beyond its expiration date?

Food that is stored beyond its expiration date should be discarded immediately because consuming expired food can pose serious health risks. The expiration date indicates the period during which the food is expected to remain safe to eat and maintain its intended quality. After this date, the safety of the food can no longer be guaranteed, as harmful bacteria or pathogens may proliferate, potentially leading to foodborne illnesses. Proper food safety practices dictate that expired products should not be used, as they can compromise the health of consumers.

While using it quickly, donating it, or cooking it thoroughly might seem like potential solutions, these actions could still result in unsafe consumption of food that may not be fit for human use, making discarding the food the safest option.