Yogurt is not on the same level as bread, milk, and eggs, but it is definitely one of the staple foods for Bulgarians. Not only is it versatile—used as a base for sauces, smoothies, and desserts—but it is also one of the most popular foods.

"Yogurt is a good source of calcium for strengthening bones, but also for gut health because of the good bacteria it contains," says dietitian Keri Gans. It can also be a source of protein. Despite its qualities, it often gets forgotten in the fridge, and when you see it again, you notice that it has expired.

This, of course, raises some questions, such as: Is it okay to eat yogurt after its expiration date, and what is the worst that can happen if you eat expired yogurt? In general, the next time you find yogurt that has expired, don't throw it away, because the "best before" date does not mean that it has expired, but that it is best to use it by that date.

"Much of this comes down to quality rather than safety," says Dr. Benjamin Chapman, a professor at the University of North Carolina. In principle, the date printed on yogurt only indicates how long the manufacturer guarantees that the yogurt will be of the highest quality. In short, you can eat yogurt even after its expiration date.

"After the expiration date, it will become more sour due to fermentation," says Chapman, explaining: However, this does not mean that it is safe to eat yogurt that has been sitting in the refrigerator for months. You can usually eat unopened yogurt for about a month after its expiration date.

If you open the yogurt and leave it in the refrigerator, it will last for a week at most. This is especially true if you put a spoon in your mouth and then in the yogurt, because this way more microorganisms and bacteria from your mouth get into the yogurt.

It's simple, says Chapman: smell the yogurt; if it smells bad, throw it away. If it smells fine but tastes bad, throw it away too. If it tastes and smells fine, you can eat it.

What can happen if you eat spoiled yogurt?

"If you eat yogurt that has been closed, it will cause an upset in your stomach, but that's unlikely to happen because you'll recognize that it doesn't taste good. If you eat spoiled yogurt that has been opened in the refrigerator, which is also unlikely to happen for the reason already mentioned, you may experience diarrhea, cramps, and vomiting," explains Hans.

As soon as you get it from the store, put it in the refrigerator. Try not to keep opened yogurt in the refrigerator for more than a few days. If you decide that you have bought more yogurt than you can eat in the foreseeable future, freeze it. According to Hans, yogurt can remain frozen for a month or two without changing its taste after thawing. I BGNES