After a while, all produce will reach its expiry date and become unfit to eat.
But what about that woollier phrase ‘best-by date’, which usually accompanies a tub of ice cream?
What this is telling us, is that while the ice cream is at its optimum taste and texture until the date on the container, it can continue to be enjoyed for a while afterwards.
However, that doesn’t answer the question; ‘Does ice cream expire?’
Does ice cream go bad?
What we need to know is “Can ice cream go out of date?” and more importantly if it does, will it harm us? The answer is; ‘Yes’.
If stored properly in the right kind of airtight container, it could actually last for several months.
This is especially true if it’s stored in a container that’s fit for purpose. You just need to ensure it doesn’t melt and refreeze, which will cause something called freezer burn.
Freezer burn is characterised by ice crystals which have formed on the top of your ice cream or on the inside of the container lid. If this happens, it will have suffered in terms of texture, colour and maybe even taste.
Tip: To maintain optimal deliciousness, as well as prevent nasty bacteria from forming, ensure the container is firmly closed. Always invest in storage that comes with its own lid.
Want more advice on how to store ice cream? Then read our blog post here.
How can you tell if ice cream has gone bad?
Freezer burn in itself isn’t so harmful. However, if ice cream is kept for a long time, then the risk of contamination increases.
Bacteria can actually disguise itself as ice crystals – which may look, smell, and taste OK – but will almost certainly cause you to be ill.
So, “Can ice cream go off?” Yes, absolutely.
But if you want to be doubly sure that your product is safe to eat, you could take a tip from those supermarkets that have done away with best-by dates on some of their dairy products, and subject your ice cream to the sniff test.
Can ice cream go bad?
There are three ways to find out…
- If it smells iffy, then it probably is. Basically, like any food, if it hangs around long enough it will eventually deteriorate.
- Is the container sticky and covered in ice crystals? This means that freezer burn is occurring outside the tub and that the contents may be contaminated.
- Has ice formed in larger shards and does the ice cream seems a bit gooey? Then this could also be a sign of bacterial growth.
Can expired ice cream make you sick? Yes, it can.
Healthy adults with a robust constitution may want to risk eating ice cream that’s been in the freezer longer than it should, but if you have a household that includes the elderly, very young children, and people who have a weakened immune system, you should not serve them out-of-date ice cream.
As a restaurant or a business, you need to ask yourself whether you really want to serve your customers ice cream which is not at its best.
How long does it take for ice cream to go out of date?
So, “Does ice cream have expiration date?” The general consensus from the experts is that if you buy a commercial ice cream from the supermarket, and it remains in the coldest part of the fridge, then it can last from two to four months.
For home-made artisan ice cream, which doesn’t have the preservatives found in branded ice cream, it should be consumed before one month.
How long can you eat ice cream after the expiry date (if at all)?
As we have explained, if ice cream is kept in the right container and positioned at the back of the freezer so that it’s in less danger of thawing out every time the freezer door is open, then it can last longer than the date on the container.
Can you eat ice cream after its use-by date?
Or, to put it another way, does ice cream expire? The answer is yes. And the longer ice cream remains in the freezer, the more likely it is to spoil or worse, become at risk from bacterial contamination.
The good news is that you’ll just have to make sure you don’t leave things to chance. You’ll just have to polish off your ice cream as soon as you can!
And there we have it.
Can ice cream go out of date? It sure can. But as we have explained, you will get a longer shelf life out of your product if you store it correctly and that is where we can help.
So, if you are wondering which container is best for storing ice cream, then look no further.
At Venturepak, you will find a range of ice cream containers perfect for all your ice cream storage needs.