Eating chips after their expiration date is a common occurrence. With unopened bags, the snacks usually remain fresh and safe to eat for a period of time beyond the date stamped on the package. However, there comes a point where the chips are no longer good to consume. How long this takes depends on factors like the type of chips, how they were stored, and personal preferences regarding potato chip staleness.
How to Tell If Expired Chips Are Still Good
Chips can maintain quality and taste for some time past their expiration date, especially when the bag is still sealed. Here are some signs stale chips are still okay to eat:
- There is no visible mold on the chips or inside the bag
- The chips do not smell rancid or unpleasant
- The texture has not become excessively hardened or soft
- The color has not noticeably deteriorated
- The potato chip flavor is not bitter, bland, or otherwise “off”
On the other hand, if the chips are discolored, smell bad, taste off, or are excessively soft or hard, they should be discarded. Moldy, slimy, or mushy potato chips should also be thrown away.
How Long Do Unopened Chips Last Past the Expiration Date?
For unopened bags of chips, the window of time where they are still consumable depends on the type of potato chip and storage conditions:
| Chip Type | Time After Expiration Date |
|---|---|
| Plain potato chips | 2-3 weeks |
| Flavored chips (e.g. barbecue, sour cream & onion) | 1-2 weeks |
| Kettle-style potato chips | 1-2 weeks |
| Pringles | 6-8 months |
The above timeframes assume proper storage at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture. The opened package shelf life is much shorter.
What Happens When You Eat Expired Chips?
Eating chips shortly past their expiration date is unlikely to cause foodborne illness or other health issues. However, consuming chips that are well beyond freshness can result in digestive upset in some cases. Here are potential risks of eating stale potato chips:
- Rancidity – Oxidation of fats leads to development of rancid flavors and odors.
- Staleness – Texture becomes hard and crunchy or limp and soft.
- Off flavors – Flavor deteriorates into unpalatable tastes.
- Loss of nutrients – Vitamin C and antioxidants degrade over time.
- Gastrointestinal distress – In rare cases, nausea, bloating, or diarrhea may occur.
- Mold exposure – Some molds produce mycotoxins that cause illness.
Notably, food poisoning from Clostridium botulinum bacteria is not a concern with potato chips due to their low moisture content.
Tips for Storing Chips to Maximize Freshness
You can make your chips last longer by storing them correctly. Here are some chip storage tips:
- Keep unopened bags at room temperature in a pantry or cupboard. Avoid warm, humid areas.
- Once opened, transfer chips to an airtight container or resealable bag.
- Keep chips away from direct sunlight, which speeds staleness.
- Avoid storing chips near oven or other heat sources.
- Store Pringles upright in original container or airtight canister.
- If chips get soft or stale, recrisp them in a 300°F oven for 1-2 minutes (plain chips only).
How to Read Potato Chip Expiration Dates
There are a few different types of expiration dates that may be printed on chip bags:
- Best By – Recommended period for peak quality. Chips are still safe after.
- Sell By – Deadline for store to display product. Not safety indicator.
- Use By – Final date for consumption based on peak freshness.
- Enjoy By – Similar to Use By. Chips have short shelf life after.
- Best Before – Another term for Best By date.
“Use By” and “Enjoy By” dates indicate when the chips expire and should be discarded. “Best By” and “Best Before” have more leeway.
How to Store Opened Chips to Extend Usability
Once the potato chip bag is opened, the shelf life decreases significantly. Follow these steps to keep them fresher longer:
- Immediately reseal the potato chip bag by rolling or folding top.
- Transfer opened chips to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag.
- Press out excess air before sealing storage container.
- Refrigerate flavored and kettle-style chips after opening.
- Keep refrigerated chips no more than 1 week after opening.
- Store opened chips away from heat and sunlight.
With proper storage methods, opened chips stay edible for approximately:
| Chip Type | Refrigerated | Room Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Plain chips | 3-4 days | 2-3 days |
| Flavored chips | 5-7 days | 3-5 days |
| Kettle chips | 5-7 days | 3-5 days |
Conclusion
Eating potato chips shortly after the expiration date is generally safe, especially if the package seal is intact. Opened chips have a shorter life so eat them quickly or refrigerate. Discard chips that smell, taste, or look old. With proper storage, unopened bags can often be enjoyed up to a few weeks past the date on the package. However, for maximum freshness and quality, potato chips are optimally consumed before their expiration date.