Of course, all foods last for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly. But remember that proteins usually have a sell by date and not an expiration date. That's why you can safely use tofu to compliment your favorite meals even after the sell by date has lapsed, if it was stored properly.

How to tell if Tofu is bad, rotten or spoiled?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness.

Although not a perfect test, your senses are usually the most reliable instruments to tell if your tofu has gone bad. Some common traits of bad tofu are a change in color away from white toward a deeper tan and a sour smell. Fresh tofu does not really smell, so when you get the sour smell the taste will also be sour.

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled foods so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your foods before their shelf life has expired!

How to store Tofu to extend its shelf life?

You can help keep tofu fresh longer by storing it in your refrigerator immediately after use. Once opened, tofu must remain covered in water that should be changed at least daily - preferably with filtered water. Once prepared, tofu should be stored in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator to keep out moisture and other contaminants.

For a long-term option, you can freeze your tofu while preserving its taste if you use a freezer safe container. It is best is to drain the water from the product and wrap it tightly with plastic wrap before placing it in the freezer container. Defrosted tofu will have an altered texture, varying with the firmness of the tofu, which some people actually prefer.

Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

Interesting facts about Tofu:

How to use extra before your Tofu goes bad?

How long is Tofu good for when prepared in a dish?

How long does tofu last? That depends. How long does wine last? In general, tofu lasts only as long as the quickest expiring ingredient in the recipe.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Tofu lasts, our content incorporates research from multiple resources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration. In addition, we scoured the web for informative articles and reports related to food safety, food storage and the shelf life of Tofu.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Tofu shelf life information on Eat By Date is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary and that our advice should only be taken as an opinion and not a replacement for your health care professional. Please eat responsibly!