Quick Answer
Generally, it is safe to eat unopened hummus past its expiration date, provided it has been stored properly and there are no signs of spoilage. Hummus can last 1-2 weeks past its printed date if unopened and refrigerated. However, always inspect hummus before eating and discard if mold, off-odors, or other spoilage is present. When in doubt, throw it out.
What is Hummus?
Hummus is a creamy spread or dip made from cooked, mashed chickpeas, tahini (ground sesame seeds), olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. It originated in the Middle East and has become popular worldwide. Hummus makes a nutritious snack or addition to meals, providing protein, healthy fats, and fiber. It can be found in most grocery stores refrigerated in the deli or produce sections.
Does Unopened Hummus Go Bad?
Yes, unopened hummus does eventually go bad, even if refrigerated. This is because hummus contains perishable ingredients like chickpeas, oil, and garlic. Over time, the quality and safety of hummus deteriorates. Signs of spoiled hummus include:
– Mold growth
– Foul odor
– Separated liquid or oil on top
– Unnatural or grey coloring
– Slimy or mushy texture
If you notice these signs, it’s best to discard the hummus even if unopened. However, hummus lasts longer than its printed expiration date if stored properly in the refrigerator.
How Long Does Sealed Hummus Last When Refrigerated?
Properly stored, sealed hummus will typically last:
– 1 week after the printed date if unopened
– 3-5 days after opening
The key for maximum shelf life is keeping hummus continuously refrigerated at 40°F or below. The cooler the temperature, the longer hummus lasts. Freezing can further extend the shelf life to 2-3 months past the printed date.
So an unopened container that is refrigerated should be safe to eat for approximately 1-2 weeks after the printed expiration date, as long as it has no signs of spoilage.
Does Hummus Go Bad If Unopened?
Hummus can still go bad if left unopened past its expiration date. The protective seal and packaging helps slow down deterioration by preventing exposure to air and contamination. However, it does not prevent the hummus from spoiling indefinitely.
Over time, the chickpeas, oil, garlic, lemon juice, and other ingredients in hummus will gradually break down and spoil at cool refrigerator temperatures. Mold can grow, albeit slowly, even without air exposure. Off-odors and textures can develop.
So while being unopened extends the shelf life, hummus should still be discarded once 1-2 weeks beyond the printed date or if any mold, sour smell, or off-texture is evident. Always inspect sealed, expired hummus closely before consuming.
How to Tell if Unopened Expired Hummus is Bad
Here are signs that indicate your unopened hummus has spoiled and should be thrown out:
– Mold on the surface or lid – this appears as fuzzy spots or growth, often in green, grey, or white shades. Mold is one of the biggest risks with expired hummus.
– Strong sour, bitter, or rotten smell when container is opened – this indicates harmful bacteria growth producing foul odor compounds.
– Separated liquid or oil floating on top – the ingredients have broken down causing separation.
– Grey, dull, or unnatural coloring – instead of creamy beige, spoiled hummus can look darker, duller.
– Slimy or mushy texture – spoiled hummus feels excessively soft or soggy compared to a creamy dip.
– Yeasty, fermented odor – suggests yeast or fermentation, not normal for hummus.
– Bulging container – potential gas production from spoilage microbes.
When examining an expired, unopened hummus container, look thoroughly for any of the above signs before tasting. Off-odors, visual mold, and textural changes are the biggest warning signs to watch for.
What About Hummus Past the Sell-By Date?
The sell-by date is different from the expiration date. Sell-by indicates when the grocery store should remove hummus from shelves. You can typically still safely eat hummus 5-7 days past the sell-by date if it’s been continuously refrigerated.
Similar to expiration dates, look for any mold, foul smells, oil separation, or other signs the hummus isn’t fresh. Taste a small amount if unsure. But it should last a week past sell-by if properly sealed and stored in the refrigerator. Just be diligent checking for signs of spoilage.
Can You Freeze Hummus to Extend Life?
Freezing is an excellent way to safely prolong the shelf life of hummus. Frozen hummus lasts for 2-3 months in the freezer past printed expiration dates.
To freeze hummus:
– Make sure container is tightly sealed
– Label package with freezing date
– Place hummus in freezer immediately after opening or purchasing
Thaw frozen hummus overnight in the refrigerator until spreadable. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving for easier dipping.
Freezing stops any microbial growth that causes food spoilage. So frozen hummus avoids most food safety risks. Just be sure to discard if any mold, strange odors, or textural changes appear after thawing.
Does Refrigeration Prevent Hummus Spoilage?
Proper refrigeration is key for extending the shelf life of hummus. Cool temperatures significantly slow the growth of bacteria and mold. Refrigeration guidelines include:
– Store hummus at 40°F or below
– Keep hummus in the back of the refrigerator where coldest
– Avoid opening refrigerator frequently
However, refrigeration alone doesn’t prevent spoilage indefinitely. Hummus can still degrade in quality and safety over 1-2 weeks past expiration, even refrigerated. Always inspect for signs of spoilage before eating expired hummus.
Refrigeration works best combined with freezing. Frozen hummus lasts for months while avoiding the safety risks of expired foods at refrigerator temperatures.
Can Spoiled Hummus Make You Sick?
Consuming spoiled, expired hummus can potentially lead to foodborne illness. Mold growth and bacterial overgrowth are two main risks of expired hummus. Possible symptoms include:
– Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
– Abdominal pain, cramping
– Fever, headache
– Generally feeling unwell
Mold on hummus produces toxic substances called mycotoxins. Ingesting these can cause mycotoxin poisoning with vomiting, nausea, and liver damage in severe cases.
Bacteria like Bacillus cereus, Salmonella, and Clostridium botulinum also thrive on perished hummus, producing toxins that cause food poisoning. Their growth is more likely once hummus surpasses 1-2 weeks past expiration.
So while properly handled, unopened hummus may be fine 1 week past its date, signs of spoilage or longer storage increases the risk of foodborne disease if consumed. Play it safe and discard expired hummus over 1-2 weeks old.
How Long Can You Keep an Opened Hummus Container?
Once opened, hummus only lasts 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Exposure to oxygen and double-dipping introduces microbes that accelerate spoilage. Signs include:
– Drying out – becomes thick, stiff
– Grayish tint
– Sour or bitter taste
– Mold growth near edges and surface
Discard opened hummus after 3-5 days. Don’t keep dipping from the same container over multiple days. Also, never let hummus sit out unrefrigerated, such as at a party or picnic. Toss opened containers after just 2 hours above 40°F.
Does Expired Hummus Pose Other Risks?
Beyond immediate food poisoning, a few other potential health risks are associated with spoiled hummus:
Botulism
The potentially fatal botulism toxin can grow in improperly handled hummus, even if containers stay sealed. Refrigeration helps prevent this. Discard hummus if any bulging container, foul odor, or mushy texture.
Aflatoxin Exposure
Expired hummus may contain aflatoxins produced by molds. Chronic low levels can potentially increase liver cancer risk.
Listeria Contamination
Listeria bacteria can grow on perished hummus. This causes serious infection risks for pregnant women and their fetuses. Avoid expired and opened hummus during pregnancy.
While rare, the severe consequences of these risks warrant safely discarding spoiled hummus. Don’t rely on taste alone to check for safety or shelf life. When in doubt, throw outdated hummus out.
How to Safely Handle Hummus
These food safety practices help prevent spoilage and illness from hummus:
– Refrigerate unopened hummus at 40°F or below
– Keep refrigerated after opening; use within 3-5 days
– Check for expiration or sell-by date and don’t purchase if passed
– Inspect container and contents before eating
– Discard if any mold, odd textures, separated oil
– Don’t double-dip with used utensils back into container
– Store opened container towards front of refrigerator
– Freeze for long-term storage; thaw overnight in refrigerator
Following proper storage, using clean utensils, freezing extras, and checking for signs of spoilage reduces risks from eating expired hummus. But when still unsure, don’t chance it.
Can You Make Your Own Hummus?
Making homemade hummus can provide a safer alternative to relying on store-bought brands. You’ll know exactly what ingredients are used and when it’s made. Homemade hummus lasts up to 1 week refrigerated.
Basic hummus contains just a few key ingredients:
– Cooked chickpeas
– Tahini
– Olive oil
– Lemon juice
– Garlic
– Salt
Blend ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Add spices like cumin or paprika for extra flavor. Store homemade hummus in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Not only is homemade hummus simple to make, it avoids the health risks and uncertainty of eating expired, store-bought versions when freshness is in question.
FAQs
Can you get food poisoning from expired hummus?
Yes, eating expired hummus can potentially cause food poisoning. Contamination from mold, bacteria, and yeast produce toxins that can cause illness when ingested, especially if hummus is more than 1-2 weeks past its date.
How long after sell-by date is hummus good for?
Properly stored, sealed hummus is typically good for 5-7 days past its sell-by date printed on the package. Always inspect for signs of spoilage and discard if any mold, textures changes, or foul odors are present.
Can old hummus make you sick if heated?
Yes, heating spoiled hummus does not make it safe to eat. Toxins from mold and bacteria can still cause illness even if the hummus is cooked. Always discard expired hummus that shows any signs of spoilage.
Can you freeze hummus to prevent waste?
Freezing extends the shelf life of hummus for 2-3 months. Frozen hummus avoids most food safety issues associated with expired refrigerator-stored hummus. Just be sure to discard if signs of spoilage appear after thawing frozen hummus.
How do you store an opened hummus container?
Keep opened hummus containers towards the front of the refrigerator, where temperatures are coldest. Discard leftovers after 3-5 days. Never leave hummus unrefrigerated after opening. Always use clean utensils, not double-dipping to prevent contamination.
The Bottom Line
In most cases, unopened hummus lasts approximately 1 week past its printed expiration date if continuously refrigerated, and inspection reveals no mold, foul odors, or other signs of spoilage. Freezing can further prolong shelf life. However, it’s impossible to precisely predict when every container may start degrading in safety or quality. So the safest approach is to not consume hummus over 1-2 weeks past the expiration date, opened or unopened. Rely on visual and smell clues to determine if hummus could be at risk of causing foodborne illness and discard when in doubt. Making small frequent batches of fresh homemade hummus can avoid reliance on older store-bought containers. With sound judgment, proper refrigeration, and careful inspection, enjoying hummus beyond its printed date can be safe in moderation. But the health risks are simply not worth eating if you have concerns about its freshness.