These Are the Most Dangerous Expired Condiments Hiding in Your Fridge

Mar. 15, 2025

Stock image of condiments in a fridge.Photo:Getty

Getty

It’s time to take a look through your fridge.According to experts, a handful of common household condiments can be dangerous once they pass their expiration date. Aside from an eerie taste and potentially foul odor, condiments that have been opened and sitting in your fridge for too longcan cause illness.These are the most threatening condiments to consider going through in your kitchen before you accidentally make a sandwich with year-old, mold-infested sauces.

It’s time to take a look through your fridge.

According to experts, a handful of common household condiments can be dangerous once they pass their expiration date. Aside from an eerie taste and potentially foul odor, condiments that have been opened and sitting in your fridge for too longcan cause illness.

These are the most threatening condiments to consider going through in your kitchen before you accidentally make a sandwich with year-old, mold-infested sauces.

01of 05MayonnaiseStock photo of a jar of mayonnaise.GettyTheUSDAstates that aftermayonnaiseis opened, it’s usable for up to two months. However, if an already-opened container is sitting out all day without refrigeration, it’s definitely a good idea to part ways with it.Because of heavyraw egg bases,letting mayonnaise or any mayo-based products sit in a room-temperature environment or live in your fridge longer than its given expiration date increases the risk of contracting foodborne illnesses like Salmonella. You’ll probably notice a different taste and smell when it’s lived the best of its life, as well.Anything containing mayonnaise should be thrown out once it reaches its expiration. Dipping options like tartar sauces and aiolis are mayo-based and also hold major red flags for fast expiration.Unopened mayonnaise has a shelf life of around three to four months.

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Mayonnaise

Stock photo of a jar of mayonnaise.Getty

TheUSDAstates that aftermayonnaiseis opened, it’s usable for up to two months. However, if an already-opened container is sitting out all day without refrigeration, it’s definitely a good idea to part ways with it.

Because of heavyraw egg bases,letting mayonnaise or any mayo-based products sit in a room-temperature environment or live in your fridge longer than its given expiration date increases the risk of contracting foodborne illnesses like Salmonella. You’ll probably notice a different taste and smell when it’s lived the best of its life, as well.

Anything containing mayonnaise should be thrown out once it reaches its expiration. Dipping options like tartar sauces and aiolis are mayo-based and also hold major red flags for fast expiration.

Unopened mayonnaise has a shelf life of around three to four months.

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Salad Dressings

Stock photo of assorted salad dressing bottles.Getty

Creamy salad dressings, when not replaced frequently, are breeding grounds for foodborne illnesses as well. Many contain varieties of egg orcheese-basedingredients, which can quickly go bad and increase chances of bacteria growth if not disposed of after the labeled expiration date.

Like mayonnaise, salad dressings have a life of up to two months after the seal has been broken.

03of 05Sugary SaucesStock photo of barbecue sauce with basting brush.GettyMany store-boughtsauces like ketchup,barbecue sauce and cocktail sauce are made with sugary preservatives that help give it a longershelf life. However, that doesn’t mean the expiration date is a suggestion.Unopened sugary sauce products can last up to 12 months in your pantry. Once opened,you have about six monthsof use before your sauce might start becoming moldy. Keep an eye (and nose) out for discoloration, odd smells and a fuzzy-like mold growth to prevent consuming a sauce that’s gone bad.

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Sugary Sauces

Stock photo of barbecue sauce with basting brush.Getty

Many store-boughtsauces like ketchup,barbecue sauce and cocktail sauce are made with sugary preservatives that help give it a longershelf life. However, that doesn’t mean the expiration date is a suggestion.

Unopened sugary sauce products can last up to 12 months in your pantry. Once opened,you have about six monthsof use before your sauce might start becoming moldy. Keep an eye (and nose) out for discoloration, odd smells and a fuzzy-like mold growth to prevent consuming a sauce that’s gone bad.

04of 05Condiments Rich in VinegarStock photo of yellow mustard bottle.GettyA variety of condiments in your fridge are likely made with some variation of vinegar. High vinegar content sauces including mustard and Worcestershire sauce can last up to three yearsin the pantry,but only around 12 months once the seal is broken and you’ve begun refrigerating.Be sure to monitor odd smells and taste as you would with any other condiment before using.

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Condiments Rich in Vinegar

Stock photo of yellow mustard bottle.Getty

A variety of condiments in your fridge are likely made with some variation of vinegar. High vinegar content sauces including mustard and Worcestershire sauce can last up to three yearsin the pantry,but only around 12 months once the seal is broken and you’ve begun refrigerating.

Be sure to monitor odd smells and taste as you would with any other condiment before using.

05of 05Soy SauceStock photo of ceramic soy sauce dish.AmazonSimilar to vinegar-based condiments,soy saucehas a longer shelf life compared to other common go-to sauces. Unopened, soy sauce can be safe to have on stock for up to three years. Like everything else, though, soy sauce does have a recommended expiration date after opened and used.Use soy sauce within a year of opening. Beware of stale smells, as there is a possibility for bacteria to grow regardless of its salty base.

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Soy Sauce

Stock photo of ceramic soy sauce dish.Amazon

Amazon

Similar to vinegar-based condiments,soy saucehas a longer shelf life compared to other common go-to sauces. Unopened, soy sauce can be safe to have on stock for up to three years. Like everything else, though, soy sauce does have a recommended expiration date after opened and used.

Use soy sauce within a year of opening. Beware of stale smells, as there is a possibility for bacteria to grow regardless of its salty base.

source: people.com