Incorporating oats into your diet is a smart idea. Oats are tasty, satisfying, easy to cook, inexpensive, versatile (have you made savory oats yet?) and extremely good for you. Yep, oats have numerous health accolades, with science-backed benefits for heart health, diabetes management and relieving and preventing constipation, just to name a few.
But if you bought a huge package of oats and didn't get through it before the date printed on the package, you're probably wondering if it's OK to eat expired oats. Short answer: Yes, it's probably safe. But there are a few caveats. Read on to learn more about when to throw away (or compost) old oats, when you can use them, and how to store them so they stay fresh for as long as possible.
Is It Safe to Eat Oats Past the Date on the Package?
The first thing to understand when it comes to the date on your package of oats is that it's likely not actually an expiration date. "Just to clear up one major misconception, not all dates on packages relate to when foods go 'bad,'" says Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, creator of BetterThanDieting.com and author of Read It Before You Eat It: Taking You from Label to Table."When certain foods go beyond their expiration date, they may not taste as good or they may not be as crisp or soft or whatever texture that may have been prevalent prior to the listed date. Although the color or texture or flavor may change a bit, it doesn’t [necessarily] mean that they are not safe or that they will make you sick." Taub-Dix adds that while there are certain foods that should be consumed right around the date on their package, "With less water and moisture, dry foods, like oats, are less likely to cause food poisoning and the growth of bacteria."
To further confuse matters, packaged food comes with various date stamps, and each one means something slightly different. And even the FDA notes that most dates on food labels are "not based on exact science." Furthermore, with the exception of infant formula, manufacturers are not even required by federal law or regulation to put quality-based date labels on packaged food, per the FDA. Here are the various food "expiration" dates you might see and some general guidelines on what they mean:
- "Best if used by/best before" dates are an indicator of quality. I checked a dozen packages of oats and found some variation on this phrase ("best if used by," "best by," "best if used before") on all but one of them. "Best-by dates on packaged oats represent the manufacturer's estimate of how long the oats will remain at peak quality, but they are not safety dates," explains Janice Revell, co-founder of StillTasty.com, a website that helps people understand the shelf life of different foods. The oats might not taste as good or have the same texture after this date but they should not be bad or make you sick if you consume them after this date.
- "Use-by" dates indicate the last day the manufacturer recommends using the product based on quality, not safety. (The exception to this is infant formula, which should not be used after use-by dates.) I found just one "use by" stamp on the packages of oats I checked.
- "Sell-by" dates are aimed more at the retailer than the consumer, letting them know when a product should be off the shelves. I didn't find this label on any of the oats I checked, but if you come across it your oats will likely be good for about two years after this date.
How to Tell If Oats Are Bad
Since the date on your package of oats might not tell you much, you'll have to rely on your senses to decide whether it's a good idea to eat them. "Your eyes can see mold and discolored food, your nose can smell odors that show change in quality and your hands can feel a slimy texture," says Taub-Dix. Revell adds, "The best way is to smell and look at the oats: if oats develop an off odor or appearance, or if mold or insects appear, they should be discarded." If your oats pass all the other sense tests, it's likely safe to cook and eat them, but start with a small bite and be sure it tastes OK before you down a larger portion. "When you’re in doubt, it’s best to throw the food out," says Taub-Dix.
How Far Past the Expiration Date Is It Safe to Eat Oats?
As noted above, the date printed on a package of oats isn't truly an expiration date. "Oats can be safe to eat for several months to even a few years past the date on the package, provided they've been stored properly," says Revell. Taub-Dix concurs: "Generally dry grain and cereal types of products can be consumed beyond their freshness dates if there are no visible signs of moisture, mold or an unpleasant odor, which can be a sign of rancidity." She adds that dried oats typically last about two years, and she says to use your judgment about how far past the date on the package you feel comfortable going. "If your container shows a date from five years ago, I’d ditch it and go out and get yourself another that you’ll finally use," she says.
Does the Type of Oats Affect How Long They Last?
While the general guideline for oats gives them about two years, Taub-Dix and Revell say that instant and flavored oats might not last that long. "Instant oats may spoil more quickly than other types of oats, because they are rolled thinner, which makes them more susceptible to moisture and spoilage," says Revell. Taub-Dix estimates that instant and flavored oats will probably last about six months, but says again here to use your senses and your good judgment.
How to Store Oats So They Stay Fresh Longer
"A dark, cool, dry place like a pantry is probably the best place to store your oats, away from moisture and heat," says Taub-Dix. "You can store oats in their original closed containers or transfer them to airtight containers made of glass, ceramic or stainless steel."
Bottom Line
It's usually safe to eat oats past the date on the package. But if they smell or look funky, toss them out and start from scratch. Store them in an airtight container away from heat and moisture, and use them up in recipes like overnight oats and oatmeal cookies.
