Cereal is an important part of our daily life. Not only are beneficial to the human body, but they are also a source of nutrients. Most people will buy cereal and have some leftovers after a week or so. For that reason, you may wonder if the cereal goes bad or not.
Does Cereal Go Bad?
Cereal does not spoil with time like most other foods do, but it does expire. If you are worried about your cereal expiring, there are some signs that you can look for to know when it’s about time to throw it away.
When in doubt, always check the expiration date on the box or bag that your cereal came in for an accurate answer on when they will be good again.
Cereal goes bad when it is stored improperly. Mold and harmful bacteria will start to grow and cause the cereal to spoil.
However, if the cereal is stored properly in an airtight container, and kept in a dry place away from light and heat, then it can last for a long time without going bad.
How Long Does Cereal Last?
Cereal is a staple food that is available in the market, and as such it has a shelf life. The shelf life of cereal is not as much as other foods or ingredients, but it’s still important to know when to use it and how long it will last.
Cereal doesn’t have a definite expiration date because it can be eaten until the bag is empty. But generally, cereals only last anywhere from two weeks to two years. The length of time varies depending on the cereal and where you buy it from.
In addition, the shelf life of cereal differs depending on the kind of cereal. Generally, the shelf life is four to six weeks for whole-grains cereals like oatmeal, wheat flakes, and corn flakes; two to three weeks for granola; and one week for instant oats.
How to Tell If Cereal Is Bad?
Here are a few signs to help you figure out if the cereal you bought is bad or not.
- If it has a weird smell, it might not be good for you
- If the cereal is slimy, then there’s a chance that it’s spoiled
- If it’s been sitting in your pantry for too long, then don’t eat it
- If the box looks like it might have been opened and tampered with, then don’t eat it
How to Store Cereal
Cereal is a popular breakfast food with various types and flavors. It is not always easy to find the best place to store cereal, however, it is important that you store cereal properly in order to prevent bacteria from getting into it.
The process of storing cereal involves putting it in airtight containers or bags. For cereal that is not in a bag, you can put it in an airtight container.
It is best to keep the cereal in the box it comes in, but if you can’t do that then put its contents into a Tupperware or baking sheet.
If you have more than one brand of cereal that needs storage, then separate them on different shelves so they don’t get mixed up.
How To Keep Cereal Fresh Longer
The freshness of cereal is one of the things that matters the most to its consumers. One of the steps to achieve this is by making sure that there are no bugs in your cereal.
Another important step is storing away your cereal in a sealed container so that it doesn’t become stale too quickly. In an airtight container, it will prevent moisture from seeping into the cereal. If you don’t have an airtight container, then put a paper towel in between each layer of cereal and seal them tightly with plastic wrap.
Related Questions
Can expired cereal make you sick?
When consuming expired cereal, the risk of getting sick is higher than you would think. The cereal itself won’t make you sick, but if there are mold and harmful bacteria in the cereal, it can make you sick.
When harmful bacterial is found in expired cereal, it can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Some people might not notice this because they don’t have food poisoning symptoms, but it can still make them sick after a while.
What to do with expired cereal?
Some people might think that the only option they have is to throw it in the trash. However, there are many ways that expired cereal can be recycled and put to good use.
- Below are some of the things you can do with expired cereal:
Add it to your compost - Give it to your pet as a treat
- Bake with it