Short Answer: If you accidentally eat expired cottage cheese, you may get food poisoning and suffer from nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Cottage cheese is a curdled milk product with a mild flavor and a creamy, heterogeneous, soupy texture.
It is made from skimmed milk by draining curds but retaining some of the whey and keeping the curds loose.
If you accidentally eat expired cottage cheese, you may experience symptoms of food poisoning such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
This is because it may contain harmful bacteria such as salmonella, listeria, or E. coli that can grow in spoiled dairy products.
These bacteria can cause infections and inflammation in your digestive system, and in severe cases, they can lead to complications such as dehydration, kidney failure, or even death.
It is quite uncommon to eat expired cottage cheese due to its short shelf life and noticeable signs of spoilage such as a foul odor, abnormal texture, or mold.
You can treat mild cases of food poisoning by drinking plenty of fluids, eating bland foods, and taking over-the-counter medications to relieve your symptoms.
However, if you have severe or persistent symptoms, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
To avoid accidental eating of expired cottage cheese, you should always check the expiration date before buying or consuming it, store it properly in the refrigerator at 40°F or lower, and discard it if it shows any signs of spoilage.
Finally, remember, cottage cheese is a nutritious and versatile food that can be enjoyed in many ways, but it should be consumed within a week of opening or by the expiration date, whichever comes first.