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Safely Storing Food in the Refrigerator - How Long Does Food Stay in the Fridge

Last Modified: 08/05/10
First Published: 06/24/10
Views: 2182
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Views: 2182
cheese

To know how long food lasts in your refrigerator is important so you can make decisions regarding when the food is good to eat. These are general guidelines on how long opened canned goods, dairy products and different kinds of meats lasts in the fridge before going bad. However it's always a good idea to look and smell at the product in question and examine it, often food is good a couple of days longer than you think. So remember: these are guidelines, take them into consideration, then inspect your food and make a decision based on those facts.

How Long To Store Food In Refrigerator Guidelines
Product
Time 
  
Canned Goods (opened)

Fruit 

5 - 7 days
Jams & Jellies
6 months
Mayonnaise
1 - 2 months
Meats 
1 - 2 days
Pickles2 - 3 months
Vegetables
2 - 3 days
  
Dairy
Butter and Margarine
1 month
Buttermilk
1 - 2 weeks
  
Cheese (opened):
 
Hard: Ceddar, swiss
3 - 4 weeks
Parmesan, grated  
1 year
Soft: Cream, Neufchatel
2 weeks
Cottage Cheese
5-7 days or package date
  
Eggs
1 month
Half & Half
7 - 10 days
Milk - whole & skim
1 week
Sour cream  
3 - 4 weeks
Whipping cream
10 days
  
Meat:
Fresh Beef, lamb, pork, veal: 
Roasts 
2 - 4 days
Steaks, chops
3 days
Ribs    
2 days
Stew Meat  
2 days
Ground1 - 2 days
  
Processed Meats: (open packages)
  
Ham, whole & half 
7 days
Hot dogs
4 - 5 days
Luncheon meats (sliced)
3 days
Bacon    
5 - 7 days
  
Fresh 
 
  
Fish 
1 - 2 days
Chicken    
1 - 2 days
                                              

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