How Long After the Use by Date Can I Still Use Sour Cream?

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The USDA-Approved Answer
- Yogurt: a cultured dairy product
  
  According to the USDA, sour cream must be marked with a "freshness, pull or sell-by date," by which the product must be sold. Because it is cultured, sour cream has one of the longest shelf-lives of all refrigerated dairy products. Thus, the USDA approves its use up to two weeks after the date on the package.
Common Sense
- Mold
  
  The USDA is a bit conservative with their estimates of shelf-lives. If sour cream is only a few days outside of your two-week window and is not visibly moldy, it's probably safe. If there is mold on it, it should be thrown out immediately as it contain mycotoxins such as aflatoxin.
Bottom Line
- Most sour cream can be consumed within two weeks of the date printed on the container. Use common sense outside of this time frame to avoid exposure to toxins that may be present in mold.

USDA Search: Food Storage

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