- Babybel cheese can be safe to eat past its expiration date if it’s still sealed in its wax coating, which preserves freshness beyond the printed date, typically for up to 6 months in the refrigerator
- Once the wax is removed, Babybel can last in the fridge for 2-3 weeks
- Babybels can be stored unrefrigerated for 10-14 days if kept in a cool, dark place
- Mold on Babybel cheese isn’t always a bad sign; you can cut off the moldy part unless the mold has penetrated deeply
- It’s advised to always perform a sight and smell test before consuming expired Babybel cheese
How Long Do Babybels Stay in Date?
To be honest, Babybel is no different from any other cheese when it comes to expiration dates.
That’s not completely true.
Because Babybel’s have a protective wax coating, they will usually last longer (and past the expiration date) than many cheeses.
The wax coating aims to stop oxygen from getting to the Babybel, thus ensuring that it retains its moisture.
Furthermore, this is what stops mold from forming on the cheese.
That being said, you can still eat cheese that has mold, you simply need to cut the mold away.
However, whether it’s Babybel, another cheese, or a completely different type of food, the same principles apply.
Perform a sight and smell test.
Once opened, if the Babybel is completely covered in mold, then it’s past saving.
Plus, if it smells bad (and as a cheese, it would have to smell bad), then it’s best to throw it away.
However, once refrigerated, a Babybel should easily last 6 months, which is generally a few months past the expiration date.
You can store Babybel’s in the fridge, that have been removed from the wax coating, and they will still be edible for up to 2-3 weeks.
How Long Do Babybels Last Out of the Fridge?
You must remember that cheese in general was invented well before refrigeration.
Therefore, it is perfectly possible to store cheese unrefrigerated.
As long as you find a cool, dark place, your Babybels should be fine for 10-14 days.
However, once removed from the protective layer, much like any other cheese, you should consume Babybel within 2-4 hours.
When it comes to any cheese, once they are exposed to the “elements” the breakdown process begins.
So, for hard and semi-hard cheeses, such as Babybel, it’s important to maintain their moisture.
The harder a cheese, the less moisture it contains.
Therefore, leaving cheese outside of the fridge will hasten the drying-out process.
That being said, most cheeses are aged (without refrigeration) for weeks or months, and often years.
Plus, the formation of mold isn’t always a bad sign.
As I mentioned earlier, you can indeed cut around/off mold and your cheese will still be edible.
It’s only once mold has started to grow deeper and deeper into your cheese that it’s probably past the point of saving.
Eating a Year-Old Unrefrigerated Babybel
My Final Thoughts
So, as you can see, it’s perfectly fine to eat expired Babybel cheese.
Admittedly, Babybel themselves have stated that you should eat their product by the expiration date.
However, in truth, all manufacturers would say this about any of their products.
Nevertheless, Babybel when still inside its wax coating will last for up to 6 months in the refrigerator.
Once removed from its wax coating, Babybell can still be refrigerated for up to 2-3 weeks.
That being said, once removed from the fridge, things start to change somewhat.
If you can find a cool, dark place then you can store sealed Babybels for 10-14 days.
But, once removed from the wax coating and exposed to the air, you should eat Babybels within 2-4 hours.
I have also written a more in-depth article about why Babybel has a wax coating and whether you can eat it!
Does this article prompt you to reevaluate how you assess the edibility of perishable items, particularly dairy products?
Let us know in the comments below!
FAQ
Q1: Can you eat expired Babybel cheese?
A1: Yes, expired Babybel cheese is generally safe to eat if it’s still sealed in its wax coating, which can extend its freshness well beyond the expiration date. Always check for mold and off smells before consuming.
Q2: How long can Babybel cheese last in the refrigerator?
A2: Once sealed in its wax coating, Babybel can last up to 6 months in the refrigerator, often a few months past the expiration date. Once removed from its wax, it can last in the fridge for 2-3 weeks.
Q3: How long do Babybels last out of the fridge?
A3: Sealed Babybels can last for 10-14 days in a cool, dark place. Once removed from the wax coating and exposed to air, they should be consumed within 2-4 hours.
Q4: Is mold on Babybel cheese always a bad sign?
A4: No, the formation of mold isn’t always a bad sign. You can cut off the moldy part, and the cheese will still be edible unless the mold has grown deeply into the cheese.