Last Updated on May 3, 2022 by Share My Kitchen
This short guide will answer the question, “Can you get sick eating expired chips?” It will also provide an in-depth analysis on whether you can get sick from eating expired chips. This article will also discuss how to store chips properly, and their shelf life.
Will you get sick from eating expired chips?
Stale chips can be eaten without any major problems. However, they can cause diarrhea in some people due to the rancid oil present in them. This compromises the taste and quality of the chips drastically. So, you can eat expired chips as long as you’re okay with that. They won’t make you sick.
Yes, if the chips have mold on them
Also, it is important to note that chips with mold or organic growth on them should be thrown out immediately. They can lead to serious health problems if consumed.
What happens if you eat expired chips with mold?
You can get food poisoning if you eat chips that have mold. This is characterized with diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Therefore, it is best to throw out such chips to avoid such an outcome.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea can be a sign that an obnoxious agent is inside your body. So, consuming bacteria-laden chips can often lead to diarrhea.
Abdominal pain
Abdominal pain is the sign of food poisoning after eating chips with some organic growth on them. In most cases, nausea and vomiting accompanies abdominal pain.
Nausea and Vomiting
Chips with microbial growth will cause nausea and vomiting. This is a normal defense of the body to eliminate the unwanted harmful substance that entered your body.
Therefore, if you accidentally ate chips with mold, and are now experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. You should also drink lots of water to make up for any water lost due to vomiting and diarrhea. If you do not consume water, excessive vomiting can lead to weakness, dizziness, electrolyte-imbalance, and dehydration.
What is the shelf life of chips?
Different chips may have different shelf lives.
Packaged potato chips
Unopened potato chips can last about 2 to 3 weeks if stored in a dark, cool, and dry corner of the pantry, away from direct sunlight or heat.
However, an opened packaged potato chips can only last approximately 5 to 7 days if stored in an airtight container or zipper bag in a cool, dark, and dry corner of the pantry, away from direct sunlight or heat.
Vegetable chips
Unopened vegetable chips can last approximately 2 to 3 weeks if stored in a dark, cool, and dry corner of your pantry, away from direct sunlight or heat.
Bugles
Unopened bugles can last approximately 2 to 3 weeks if stored in a dark, cool, and dry corner of your pantry, away from direct sunlight or heat.
Fritos
Unopened fritos can last approximately 2 to 3 weeks if stored in a dark, cool, and dry corner of your pantry, away from direct sunlight or heat.
Chex mix
Unopened Chex mix can last approximately 2 to 3 weeks if stored in a dark, cool, and dry corner of your pantry, away from direct sunlight or heat.
Pringles
Unopened Pringles can last approximately 2 to 3 weeks if stored in a dark, cool, and dry corner of your pantry, away from direct sunlight or heat.
Tostitos
Unopened Tostitos can last approximately 3 to 4 weeks if stored in a dark, cool, and dry corner of your pantry, away from direct sunlight or heat.
Doritos
Unopened Doritos can last approximately 3 to 4 weeks if stored in a dark, cool, and dry corner of your pantry, away from direct sunlight or heat.
Goldfish
Unopened Goldfish can last approximately 3 to 4 weeks if stored in a dark, cool, and dry corner of your pantry, away from direct sunlight or heat.
Crackers
Unopened Crackers can last approximately 3 to 4 weeks if stored in a dark, cool, and dry corner of your pantry, away from direct sunlight or heat.
However, opened Crackers can last approximately 2 to 4 weeks if stored in a dark, cool, and dry corner of your pantry, away from direct sunlight or heat.
Packaged tortilla chips
Open packaged tortilla chips can last approximately 1 to 2 weeks if stored in a dark, cool, and dry corner of your pantry, away from direct sunlight or heat.
Homemade potato chips
Homemade potato chips can last approximately 2 to 3 days if stored in a dark, cool, and dry corner of your pantry, away from direct sunlight or heat.
Can chips be eaten after the best-before date?
Chips don’t necessarily go bad as soon after their best-before date. The “best by” or “best before” date written on the pack of chips refers to the quality instead of the safety. This is the best time to enjoy the highest quality and taste of the chips. However, you can still eat chips past this date as long as it was properly stored.
How to properly store chips so they don’t expire fast?
When storing chips, there are certain things you need to keep in mind. You should keep chips in a dark, cool, and dry place, away from heat and direct sunlight. So, you must store chips in the cool and dry corner of your pantry that is away from direct sunlight or heat.
On the other hand, opened chips should be kept in an airtight container or a zipper bag. This is to ensure that moisture and air do not get to the chips, thereby preserving their quality.
