Food - Drink
How To Tell If Tofu Has Gone Bad
By AUTUMN SWIERS
Despite its less-than appetizing appearance and the hard to ignore fact that it’s made from coagulated soy milk, tofu is an undeniable staple in the meatless community for its high absorbency and versatility for preparation. Tofu is also overflowing with health benefits from protein to calcium and can even improve cholesterol levels and heart health.
Unfortunately, not even tofu is safe from an inevitable expiration date, and eating tofu that’s gone bad can cause stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, or even a fever. The good news is that you can quickly determine whether tofu has gone bad by looking for color changes to tan or brown, the presence of mold, or a strong sour smell.
Avoid bloated-looking packs of tofu, as tofu produces a gas when it is past its expiration date, and throw out any tofu that appears slimy. Fortunately, tofu has an impressively long shelf life, lasting 2 to 3 months unopened, 3 to 5 days after the expiration date if opened and refrigerated, and 3 to 5 months frozen.