As a food safety expert with a background in microbiology, I can tell you that consuming milk that is past its expiration date can lead to a range of outcomes, depending on how long it has been expired and the conditions under which it has been stored. Here's a step-by-step analysis of what might happen:


1. Initial Spoilage: If the milk is just a bit past its "best by" date and has been refrigerated properly, it might taste a bit sour, but it could still be safe to consume. The souring is due to naturally occurring bacteria that are harmless.


2. Bacterial Growth: As time goes on, more harmful bacteria can start to grow, including species like *Bacillus* and *Streptococcus*. These can cause the milk to taste very sour and may lead to food poisoning if ingested.


3. Visible Signs of Spoilage: Eventually, you may notice visible signs of spoilage, such as lumps, an off smell, or a change in color. At this point, the milk is definitely unsafe to consume.


4. Food Poisoning: Consuming spoiled milk can lead to food poisoning, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.


5. Risk of Infection: In severe cases, the infection can spread beyond the gastrointestinal tract and lead to more serious health issues.

It's important to note that the "best by" or "sell by" date on milk is more about quality than safety. It's the manufacturer's way of indicating when the milk will be at its peak quality. After this date, the milk may not taste as good, but it's not necessarily unsafe to drink immediately.

However, if you're in doubt, it's always safer to err on the side of caution and not consume milk that you suspect is spoiled.

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If you drink milk past the expiration date, you run the risk of developing food poisoning from unhealthy bacteria that might have grown in the milk. Food poisoning can be so mild you might not even realize you have it, but it can be severe in some cases. You might develop stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea or a fever.read more >>