Whether or not you can eat cheese after 7 days of opening depends on the type of cheese. Hard cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, and swiss have a longer shelf life than soft cheeses like brie and mozzarella. The general rule of thumb is that you can safely eat hard cheese for 2-3 weeks after opening if stored properly, while soft cheeses should be consumed within 7 days of opening.
Quick Answer
The quick answer is that it depends on the type of cheese. Hard cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, and swiss are generally safe to eat for 2-3 weeks after opening if stored in the refrigerator. Soft cheeses like brie and mozzarella should be consumed within 7 days of opening due to their higher moisture content.
Safety Concerns with Old Cheese
Eating moldy or spoiled cheese can cause foodborne illness. The main safety concerns with eating old cheese are:
- Mold growth – Mold can grow quickly on cheese and contaminate areas you can’t see.
- Bacteria growth – Cheese can harbor dangerous bacteria like Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli.
- Foodborne illness – Eating spoiled cheese can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps.
Soft cheeses are more prone to bacteria growth because of their high moisture content. Hard cheeses are less susceptible because their low moisture content prevents bacterial growth.
How Long Does Different Types of Cheese Last?
The shelf life of cheese depends on the type. Here’s a breakdown of how long different cheeses last after opening when properly stored:
Hard Cheeses
- Cheddar: 3-4 weeks
- Swiss: 3-4 weeks
- Parmesan: 5-6 weeks (hard block), 3-4 weeks (grated)
- Colby: 3-4 weeks
- Monterey Jack: 3-4 weeks
Soft Cheeses
- Cream cheese: 2 weeks
- Goat cheese: 1 week
- Ricotta: 1 week
- Cottage cheese: 1 week
- Feta: 1 week
- Mozzarella: 1 week
- Brie: 1 week
As you can see, soft cheeses have a much shorter shelf life than hard cheeses. They should be eaten within 5-7 days of opening.
How to Store Cheese Properly
Proper storage is key to maximizing the shelf life of cheese. Here are some tips for storing cheese correctly:
- Keep cheese tightly wrapped in its original packaging or an airtight container.
- Store in the refrigerator. The fridge temperature should be 35-40°F.
- Place cheese in the coldest section, away from light and humidity.
- If cut, wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil.
- Don’t mix cheeses. The odors can transfer to other cheeses.
- Throw out moldy cheese so it doesn’t contaminate other food.
Table: Proper Cheese Storage Guidelines
| Cheese Type | Storage Tips |
|---|---|
| Hard cheeses (cheddar, parmesan) | Keep tightly wrapped, store in fridge for 2-3 weeks |
| Soft cheeses (brie, goat) | Keep tightly wrapped, store in fridge for no more than 1 week |
| Shredded cheeses | Keep in airtight container, use within 5 days |
| Cheese blocks | Wrap cut portions in plastic wrap or foil |
| All cheese | Store in coldest part of fridge away from light/humidity |
Following these proper storage methods can help prevent mold growth and bacterial contamination.
How To Tell If Cheese Has Gone Bad
Here are some signs that indicate your cheese has spoiled and should be discarded:
- Mold – Any fuzzy, green or white growths are a sign of mold. Discard moldy cheese.
- Unpleasant odor – Cheese that smells sour or rotten should be thrown out.
- Off colors – Yellow, brown or orange discoloration signals spoilage.
- Dry, crumbly texture – Cheese that is dried out is past its prime.
- Slimy texture – A sticky, slimy consistency means bacteria growth.
- Bitter taste – An unpleasant or bitter flavor can indicate spoilage.
Soft cheeses tend to show signs of spoilage sooner than hard cheeses. But once any cheese starts exhibiting off colors, textures, smells or tastes, it should be discarded.
Table: Signs of Spoiled Cheese
| Type of Spoilage | Description |
|---|---|
| Mold | Fuzzy or hairy growths of green, white, or blue |
| Smell | Strong unpleasant odor, ammonia-like, rotten |
| Colors | Unnatural yellow, brown, orange hues |
| Texture | Dry and crumbly, or slimy/sticky |
| Taste | Bitter, sour, or unpleasant flavors |
Discard cheese exhibiting any of these signs of spoilage. Don’t taste test suspicious cheese.
What Happens If You Eat Spoiled Cheese?
Eating spoiled, moldy, or contaminated cheese can cause food poisoning. The possible health effects include:
- Nausea – Feeling queasy or having an upset stomach.
- Vomiting – Throwing up repeatedly.
- Diarrhea – Getting sick with watery or loose stools.
- Stomach cramps – Painful cramping in the abdomen.
- Fever – Running a temperature over 100°F.
- Headaches – Pain or pounding in the head.
- Fatigue – Feeling tired or run down.
Symptoms may appear anywhere from 30 minutes to 48 hours after eating contaminated cheese. The severity can vary from mild discomfort to dangerous dehydration depending on the bacteria or pathogen involved.
Certain individuals are at higher risk for complications from foodborne illness. This includes pregnant women, children under 5, seniors, and those with weakened immune systems.
If symptoms persist or are severe, it’s important to stay hydrated and seek medical care. Tell your doctor you may have a foodborne illness.
When to See a Doctor
- Diarrhea lasting over 3 days
- Bloody stools
- Inability to keep down fluids
- High fever over 102°F
- Signs of dehydration – dizziness, excessive thirst, dry mouth
- Neurological issues – numbness, muscle weakness, paralysis
- Persistent vomiting
Seek emergency care for dangerous symptoms like bloody stool, high fever, severe dehydration, neurological problems or inability to improve with hydration.
How to Prevent Foodborne Illness from Cheese
You can avoid getting sick from eating contaminated cheese by taking these preventive measures:
- Check expiration dates – Don’t purchase or eat expired cheese.
- Inspect before eating – Check for mold, odd colors, or slimy textures.
- Store properly – Follow guidelines for refrigeration and wrapping.
- Discard when in doubt – If cheese smells bad or looks suspicious, throw it out.
- Avoid cross-contamination – Use separate cutting boards for cheese.
- Wash hands and utensils – Wash with soap before and after handling cheese.
- Use leftovers promptly – Eat within recommended time limits.
Being mindful when shopping, storing, and eating cheese can prevent many cases of foodborne illness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you still eat hard cheese after the expiration date?
It’s generally safe to eat hard cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, or swiss for a few weeks past the expiration date if they have been stored properly in the refrigerator. However, expired cheese has a higher risk of harboring bacteria. Use your judgment and check for signs of mold or spoilage before eating expired hard cheese.
Why does old cheese get moldy?
Cheese gets moldy from prolonged exposure to oxygen. When cheese is exposed to air, mold spores can settle on the surface and grow by consuming nutrients in the cheese. Refrigeration and proper storage methods slow this mold growth. But eventually mold can take over old cheese, especially soft varieties.
Can you cut mold off cheese and eat it?
It’s not recommended. Mold can spread throughout cheese in areas you can’t see. Trimming off visible mold won’t remove the hidden mold or bacteria that could be present from contamination. For food safety, it’s best to discard the entire piece of cheese if mold appears.
Does spoiled cheese make you sick? How long after?
Yes, eating spoiled cheese that contains harmful bacteria or toxins can make you sick. Symptoms of foodborne illness usually appear 30 minutes to 48 hours after eating contaminated cheese. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headaches, and stomach cramps are common. See a doctor if sickness is severe or persists more than a few days.
Can you freeze cheese after opening?
Most cheeses can be frozen after opening. Hard cheeses freeze especially well for 2-3 months. Soft cheese tends to get mushy when frozen, so they are best consumed within a week. Make sure cheese is properly wrapped in freezer bags or parchment paper before freezing. Defrost slowly in the fridge before eating.
Conclusion
In most cases, harder cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, and swiss are safe to eat after 7 days if they have been continually refrigerated and stored properly. Softer cheeses like brie, mozzarella, and goat cheese should be eaten within 5-7 days of opening. Check cheese for obvious signs of spoilage like mold, off-colors, and bad odors. Discard cheese that has gone bad as it can cause foodborne illness. With proper refrigeration and food safety practices, most cheese types can be enjoyed within a 2-3 week window after opening.