You want a quick breakfast, and all you find in the pantry is an old bag of oats. Will you feel sick if you eat it? You are in the right place for all the information.
If you are not a big fan of oatmeal, there is a good chance that one bag will live with you for months before you use it. You often go for oats only when there is nothing else more interesting in the house for breakfast. So how do you know if oatmeal is edible or not? What is the shelf life of oatmeal?
It is a portion of dry food, so it is sometimes difficult to recognize at a glance whether everything is fine or not. And you’re not even sure what will happen to you if you eat rotten oats. Although oats themselves are not harmful, certain other influences can cause you health problems.
How Long Does Oatmeal Last?
Does oatmeal expire? It is impossible to give an unambiguous explanation of how long the oatmeal will last.
It depends on what kind it is, but also whether you opened the package or not. Here are the general assumptions for the basic types.
Unopened plain oatmeal
Plain oatmeal that does not have any additives is a fairly safe food even after the expiration date. If the storage conditions were good and there was no moisture present, the oats can be perfectly correct even a year after the expiration date written on the package.
Instant flavored oatmeal
On the market, you have numerous variants of instant oatmeal that are ready to eat faster and often have the addition of fruits, nuts, and other additives. They also have additional aromas for better taste. This kind of oatmeal will still last a little longer than the date written on the label, but not as long as simple plain oats. Instant oats will last for several months after expiration.
Prepared oatmeal
If you have already prepared oatmeal, but you have a portion left, you can store it in the fridge and consume it within three days, ideally. It can stay in the refrigerator for a maximum of five days, but towards the end, make sure everything is in order.
Can Oatmeal Go Bad?
Oatmeal can certainly spoil over time and can often cause food poisoning. For example, if mold is present, you will certainly feel at least indigestion after consumption. So be especially careful and see if any spoilage signs are present.
Here’s how to tell if oatmeal is bad:
Sign 1: Smell is wrong
A foul smell will reveal a lot is wrong with the food, and it is actually the first test we all believe instinctively. If the oatmeal smells stale, you better throw it away.
Sign 2: You suspect mold
Mold is a very bad phenomenon and can occur very often if at least a small amount of moisture is present. Mold is also common in prepared oatmeal. Remember that mold does not always have to be visible on the surface. If you smell that oats could be moldy, be sure to throw them away.
Sign 3: Pantry pests in the bag
Open packaging of oats will be very attractive to kitchen parasites. They will crawl into a bag and live happily there with enough food to survive. If you notice something crawling through your oats, throw it all away.
What Is The Best Way To Store Oatmeal?
Oatmeal is a portion of dry food, so its storage is very simple. A pantry or kitchen cabinet will be a perfect place, and you just need to provide a couple of basic conditions.
Tip 1: Avoid moisture
As with any dry food, oats do not like dampness. The slightest presence of moisture will allow the development of mold, which will be followed by rapid spoilage. So always have a dry place where you keep oatmeal. Also, do not keep such foods in the cupboard above the stove as steam from cooking will create humid conditions.
Tip 2: Seal well
Always close the oatmeal bag tightly to prevent tiny pests from slipping into it. This will also prevent other odors that oats can absorb.
Tip 3: Keep the prepared oats in the refrigerator
Be sure to keep leftover oats in the refrigerator and consume them within three to five days. If you accidentally leave such oatmeal on the kitchen cupboard overnight, be sure to throw it away in the morning.
FAQs
How can you tell if oatmeal is bad?
Trust your nose and if you smell any unusual, stale, or moldy smell, know that the oats are spoiled.
Is it okay to eat expired oatmeal?
Unopened oats will be good months after the expiration date, and pure plain oatmeal even a year after expiration. If everything is fine and no moisture is present, you can consume oats at that time without fear.
Can spoiled oatmeal make you sick?
Oatmeal that has mold can certainly cause indigestion or food poisoning. If you suspect mold in your oats, throw it all right away.
Conclusion
Oatmeal is a healthy start to the day and a good choice for breakfast. However, it often happens that one package lasts for months in the kitchen cupboard or that it even expires before we open the package.
Oatmeal that is unopened can undoubtedly be good for at least a few months after expiration. The only danger lies in the appearance of moisture that will allow mold development. So always avoid damp places and keep the bag tightly sealed.
Tanja is great lover of healthy eating and lifestyle, she has been editing TV series about nutrition and health for years. She also engaged in food production in the family business, mainly focused on fruit processing without destroying vitamins and minerals. She believes that quality nutrition is one of the key ingredients of a happy and healthy life.
