Can You cook the danger out of expired foods?

Cooking cannot always eliminate the danger associated with expired foods. Consuming food that has passed its expiration date can lead to foodborne illness, even after cooking. While heat can kill many harmful bacteria and microorganisms, certain dangerous bacteria, like _Clostridium botulinum_, can produce heat-resistant spores that survive cooking temperatures and can cause severe food poisoning. Additionally, cooking alone cannot eliminate potential toxins or chemicals produced in food past its expiration date. For safety reasons, it's generally recommended to follow food expiration labels and discard any expired food items.