What Happens When You Drink Expired Milk?

You may have recently drunk milk that's past its expiration date or are contemplating trying some that seems slightly off. Either way, here's what you need to understand.

What Does the "Sell-By" Date Mean?

The "sell-by" date is a guideline for stores to know when milk should be off the shelves, as it’s nearing its freshest point. However, it doesn't mean the product is unsafe or spoiled on that day.

The "best-by" date, on the other hand, is when the manufacturer believes the product will be at its peak freshness. While not an absolute cutoff, it’s an important reference for assessing the quality of a product before it starts to degrade.

How Long Does Milk Stay Fresh in the Refrigerator?

The freshness of milk depends on the type you're dealing with. If the container is still sealed and kept in the fridge, here’s what to expect:

• Lactose-free milk should be good for 7-10 days past the printed "sell-by" date.
• Non-fat milk should be good 7-10 days past the printed
• "sell-by" date.
• Reduced-fat milk should be good 7 days past the printed
• "sell-by" date.
• Whole milk should be good 5-7 days past the printed
• "sell-by" date.

What Happens If You Leave Milk Out by Mistake?

Milk left out at room temperature is a whole different situation.

In the U.S., most people drink pasteurized milk, which requires constant refrigeration to stay fresh. It's easy to forget and leave a carton of milk sitting in the car or on the counter for too long. But how long can it sit before it becomes unsafe?

The FDA states that milk should not be left out for more than two hours at room temperature. After this point, it’s likely no longer safe to drink. If the environment is warmer, the safe time frame shrinks even further.

The FDA also advises, "If the temperature is above 90°F, food should not be left out for more than one hour."

How to Identify Spoiled Milk

Appearance/Consistency: Fresh milk is fluid, smooth, and white. Spoiled milk may appear chunky, thick, or even slightly yellowish.

Smell: Spoiled milk has a distinctly sour odor. Fresh milk is nearly odorless, with only a mild, non-offensive scent. If milk smells sour, it's clear something’s wrong.

Flavor: If your milk looks or smells bad, avoid tasting it. But if you can’t resist, spoiled milk will have a sharp, sour, and acidic taste.

What Happens if You Consume Spoiled Milk?

Spoiled milk’s unpleasant appearance, smell, and taste are due to bacterial growth. While one sip generally won’t harm you, it’s still best to avoid it. Drinking larger amounts can cause digestive discomfort, like nausea or upset stomach.

Consuming Spoiled Milk May Lead to:

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

In most cases, symptoms will subside within 12-24 hours. Stay hydrated with fluids, especially those containing electrolytes, and get some rest. If you're worried about the severity of your symptoms, visit an urgent care center or contact your doctor for advice.

Uses for Spoiled Milk

While drinking spoiled milk straight from the carton is a no-go, you might not need to toss it out entirely. The extent of spoilage matters. If the milk isn’t moldy or overly spoiled, sour milk can still be used in cooking. It works well in baking recipes like quick breads or cakes, or even for marinating meats.

If your milk is only a few days past the "use-by" date and starting to smell tangy, it could be perfect for recipes like Sour Milk Spice Cake. However, if it's more than a week overdue, smells excessively sour, looks lumpy, or has changed color, it’s safer to discard it. Although baking may kill most bacteria, the flavor of your goods could be compromised. When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and throw it out.