What Happens If You Drink Expired Coffee Creamer?

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By: Tom Valenti

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Coffee creamer is a popular additive to coffee drinks and can give your morning cup of joe some extra flavor, but it doesn’t last forever. So, what happens if you drink expired coffee creamer? Can it be harmful to your health or just taste bad?

If you are wondering about the potential risks of drinking expired coffee creamer, read on to find out more. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of the potential dangers and will be able to make an informed decision about when it’s safe to drink expired coffee creamer. So, let’s get started.

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What Happens If You Drink Expired Coffee Creamer?

If you drink expired coffee creamer, there may be no immediate risk to your health. The main issue with drinking expired coffee creamer is that it may have an off-taste or texture and may not be palatable.

This is because over time, the ingredients in the creamer can break down, affecting their flavor and texture. Additionally, the proteins in dairy-based creamers may start to form lumps after their expiration date, which could affect their taste.

However, there also may be some risks associated with drinking expired coffee creamer. In rare cases, drinking expired coffee creamer could cause food poisoning. It means that bacteria have developed in the expired creamer and, when consumed, could lead to an upset stomach or other digestive issues such as vomiting and diarrhea.

Is it OK to Use Expired Coffee Creamer?

What Happens If You Drink Expired Coffee Creamer

So, is it ever OK to use expired coffee creamer? Well, that depends on the type of creamer you are using and how long it has expired.

Generally speaking, if the flavor or texture of the creamer has not changed significantly since its expiration date, it may be safe to drink. However, if the creamer has expired for an extended period of time and its texture or taste has significantly changed, then you should toss it out and buy a new one.

From my point of view, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and avoid consuming expired coffee creamer.

How Long does Coffee Creamer Last?

What Happens If You Drink Expired Coffee Creamer

To avoid potential health risks, it’s best to know how long coffee creamer lasts.

Generally, coffee creamer has a shelf life of about six months past its “best by” date. After this time, it’s best to discard the creamer. Although non-dairy creamers can last longer than dairy-based creamers, for up to one year if unopened.

In addition, opened creamer can be used within 10 days of opening if it’s stored in a refrigerator. With opened powdered coffee creamer, it’s best to use within six months.

What are the Signs of Bad Coffee Creamer?

It’s clear that if you drink expired coffee creamer but it still looks and smells fresh, there may be nothing happens. However, if it’s past the expiration date and has some below spoilage signs, it’s not safe to use.

The first warning sign to look for is a change in color. If it’s noticeably yellowed or darkened, it means the creamer has been exposed to air and bacteria, making it unsafe to drink. 

Also, if there is an off odor coming from the creamer, it means that bacteria may have grown and could potentially be dangerous.

Lastly, if the powdered creamer has formed lumps that weren’t there before or the fats have separated from the liquid, it could be said that the creamer has gone bad and should not be consumed.

How Long To Get Food Poisoning From Drinking Expired Coffee Creamer?

So, if you drink expired coffee creamer and it does cause food poisoning, how long could symptoms begin?

The answer to this question really depends on the amount of bacteria present in the creamer and how quickly your body responds. Generally, food poisoning symptoms can start within minutes or hours after consuming expired coffee creamer, but they may take some days to appear.

So, if you’ve consumed expired coffee creamer and are having some symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps and fever, it’s important to seek medical attention right away.

How To Resolve Food Poisoning?

If you think that you have food poisoning due to drinking expired coffee creamer, the first step is to seek medical treatment. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or other treatments to help resolve your symptoms.

In addition, while you are recovering from food poisoning, you should stay hydrated and rest as much as possible. Drink plenty of fluids to help flush out any bacteria from your system and avoid foods that may be hard on your stomach.

Lastly, it’s also important to practice food safety in the future by checking expiration dates and keeping food properly stored. This will help minimize any potential risks associated with drinking expired coffee creamer or other food items.

FAQs

Can You Drink Expired Liquid Coffee?

Yes, you can drink expired liquid coffee as long as it has been stored properly and hasn’t changed in color, taste or texture.

Can You Get Food Poisoning From Expired Creamer?

Yes, you can potentially get food poisoning from drinking expired creamer. Therefore, it’s best to always discard any creamer that is past its expiration date.

How Long Can You Drink Expired Creamer?

It’s generally not recommended to drink expired creamer, as it may contain bacteria that could cause food poisoning. However, it is still good after 1-2 weeks past the expiration date and may still be safe to consume if it looks and smells fresh.

Does Coffee Mate Liquid Creamer No Refrigeration Expire?

Yes, Coffee Mate liquid creamer without refrigeration will expire. It has a shelf life of 12 months and should be discarded after that date. After opening the container, it should be used within 10 days if stored in the refrigerator.

How Long is International Delight Creamer Good For?

International Delight coffee creamer has a shelf life of up to one year, if unopened. Once it’s opened, the creamer should be used within 10 days if stored in a refrigerator. For powdered coffee creamer, it should be used within six months after opening.

How Long does Powdered Coffee Creamer Last After Opening?

Powdered coffee creamer generally lasts for about six months after opening. After that time, the fats in the creamer may separate from the liquid and make it unpleasant to drink.

Conclusion

Overall, while some people may not notice any issues when consuming expired coffee creamer, generally consuming expired creamer can potentially cause questionable taste and texture as well as potential health risks such as food poisoning.

Therefore, it is always best to check expiration dates and discard any creamer that has expired or appears spoiled. Taking these steps can help ensure that you are drinking safe coffee creamer and avoiding any unwanted health issues.

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Tom Valenti

Chef/Owner of both Ouest and ‘Cesca, and the Executive Chef of Le Cirque, Alison on Dominick, and Butterfield 81.

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