This chart contains suggested safe time limits for keeping refrigerated foods from spoiling or becoming unsafe to eat.
Because freezing can keep food safe indefinitely, the recommended storage times are for quality only.
Unless otherwise stated, the storage times are from date of purchase.
| Refrigerator (40°F/4.4°C) |
Freezer (0°F/-18°C) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Beverages, Fruit | ||
| Juices in cartons, fruit drinks, punch | 3 weeks unopened 7 to 10 days opened |
8 - 12 months |
| Dairy | ||
| Cheese, hard (i.e. swiss) | 3 - 4 weeks | 6 months |
| Cheese, soft (i.e. brie) | 1 week | 6 months |
| Cottage cheese | 1 week | Doesn't freeze well |
| Margarine | 4 - 5 months | 12 months |
| Milk | 7 days | 3 months |
| Yogurt | 7 - 14 days | 1 - 2 months |
| Dough | ||
| Tube cans of rolls, biscuits, pizza dough | Use-by date | Don't freeze |
| Cookie dough | Use-by date | 2 months |
| Eggs | ||
| Fresh, in shell | 3 to 5 weeks | Don't freeze |
| Hard cooked | 1 week | Don't freeze well |
| Egg substitutes - opened | 3 days | Don't freeze well |
| Egg substitutes - unopened | 10 days | 1 year |
| Mayonnaise | ||
| Commercial, refrigerate after opening | 2 months | Doesn't freeze |
