Food waste. It’s something no one wants but often happens — usually by accident. One common reason foods go bad before you can get to them is that some foods spoil quickly. 

That means even if you buy them and plan to eat them the next day, they may have already gone bad. 

If you’re trying to minimize your food waste and need some help on what to watch out for, this is a beginner’s list to understand food items that go bad quickly! 

1. Fresh Bread

Bread that is full of preservatives and buried in the bread aisle may not be known for going bad too quickly. 

However, fresh bread that you find in the bakery section of a grocery store or from your local shop is much more likely to go bad quickly. 

You expect freshly baked items (sans the additives that expand the shelf life) to go bad in just a matter of days. 

If you can’t get to the baked goods quickly, try freezing leftovers or putting the items in the fridge to slow the aging process. 

2. Dips

Despite packaged dips being large enough to last an entire week, if not longer, the reality is that once opened; dips go bad soon. This goes for hummus, artichoke dips, guacamole, and similar. 

Even shelf-stable options like salsas can go bad in just a week after opening despite being good for a year unopened. 

When oxygen and other bad particles access your dips once opened, they work to age the contents making them go bad quicker than they would have unopened. 

Did you know that cannabis edibles will also eventually go bad? It’s true. Read about cannabis lifespans to learn the ins and outs of preserving freshness.

3. Berries

Unfortunately, one of the most delicious fruits out there is one of the quickest to go bad. Berries are notorious for getting moldy very quickly after purchase, which goes for all types. 

Whether you’ve got strawberries, blueberries, or blackberries hiding in your refrigerator, they’re likely to go bad only a few days after purchasing. 

One of the reasons for this is the moisture that is introduced when you rinse the berries. 

If you rinse the berries and then put them in a container to snack on, the extra moisture gets trapped and can grow mold quickly. 

That additional moisture is not good for the berries, so they’re often sold in containers with holes that allow moisture to escape. 

4. Dairy

Dairy in all shapes and forms is prone to going bad early on. This is especially true for fresh dairy. Yogurts, milk, sour cream, and even fresh cheeses are all likely to curdle or mold soon after purchasing. 

Once opened, this speeds up the aging process and makes the dairy spoil faster. 

Despite many store-bought dairies being chalked full of preservatives, those are also likely to be spoiled early on if improperly handled. 

Excess moisture and unclosed containers introduce particles that age products. 

Keep a close eye on the expiration dates and avoid improperly housing your dairies to extend the shelf life. 

5. Cooked Meats

Meal prepping is one of the hottest things in today’s busy world. But even the most experienced meal prepper may face the problem of spoiled meat if they’re not careful. 

Cooked meats like chicken or even fish are not meant to last long. According to the USDA, cooked chicken and fish have a shelf life of about 3 to 4 days. 

Because of this, you need to freeze leftovers or ditch them after just a few days to avoid getting sick due to bacterial growth. 

The timeline is significantly sped up when the items are improperly stored or even packaged too soon while still warm. 

Conclusion

Unfortunately, food does go bad from time to time. While you can do your best to minimize the chance of this, the reality is that every food has a different life span and handling instructions. 

To make sure that you’re keeping your food good for as long as possible, read up on the recommended instructions for storage. Not only is bad food a waste of money, but it is also a safety hazard. 

By staying up-to-date on everything you need to know, you get the most bang for your buck and keep your family safe!