Approximate Storage Life in Days of Refrigerated Foods


The information in this chart is intended as guidelines.  Harvesting techniques, manufacturing processes, transportation and distribution conditions, the nature of the food, and storage temperature and conditions may impact storage life.

Item 32-35 ºF 35-45 ºF 45-55 ºF Remarks
Apples, red Delicious, Washingtond, h, o 7 – 21
Bacon, slab sliced, h 7
Bananas, greena, p 7-10 @ 56 ºF
Bananas, ripea, p 3-4 @ 56-58 ºF
Beef, groundd, j 1 – 2
Berries, strawberriesd 1 – 2
Berries, blueberriesd 1 – 2
Bolognad 3 – 5
Broccolid 3 – 5
Brussel sproutsa 21 – 35
Butterh 7 – 14
Cabbage, earlyd 3 – 5
Cabbage, lated 3 – 5
Cantaloupe, hard riped, h, q 7
Cantaloupe, full slipd, h 7
Carrots, mature toppeda, r 120 – 150
Catsup, foil poucha, s 365 270
Cauliflowerd, r 7
Celeryd, h 7 – 14
Cheese, Cheddara, b 365
Cheese, Cheddar, shreddeda, b 180
Cheese, Cheddar, reduced fat loavesb 150
Cheese, Cheddar, reduced fat shreddedb 150
Cheese, cottageh 5
Cheese, Creami 7
Cheese, Mozzarella, loavesb 365 @ 20 ºF
Cheese, Mozzarella, lite & shreddedb 150 @ 20 ºF
Cheese, process, American, loavesb 365
Cheese, process, American, sliceda, b, i 180
Cheese, process, American, shreddedb 150
Cheese, Parmesanh 60
Cheese, blend, slicesb 210
Cheese, blend, loavesb 270
Cucumbersd 7
Dip, sour cream, commercially maded 14
Dressing, Frencha 90
Eggs, fresh in shellh 14 – 21
Frankfurters, bulk packh 4 – 5
Grapesh 3 – 5
Ham, boneless, cookedd, h, i 7
Ham, smokedd, i 7
Honeydew melonh 7
Jams, jellies, preserves, cupa, s 180
Jams, jellies, preserves, foil poucha, s 365
Lettuce, Iceberg, wrappeda 21 – 42
Lettuce, Iceberg, nakeda 14 – 21
Lettuce, Iceberg, table readya 5 – 7
Lettuce, Romaineh 5 – 7
Lemonsh 3 – 5
Margarinea 90 60
Milk, buttermilkd, t 7 – 14
Milk, chocolate flavoreda, t 10
Milk, cream, light or half & half, UHT processedd 21 – 28
Milk, cream heavy or whippingd 7
Milk, fluid pasteurizedi, t 5 – 7
Milk, ice cream or shake mixa, t 10
Onions, greena 10
Oranges, CA, AZh 3 – 5
Oranges, FL, TXh 3 – 5
Oranges, Temple, tangeloh 3 – 5
Orange juiced 7
Parsleya 30 – 60
Pearsa, h, u 3 – 5
Peppers, sweetd 7
Plumsh 3 – 5
Potatoes, sweeta, v 90-120 days

@ 50-60 ºF

Radishes, poly bagh 7 – 14
Salad dressing, alla 180 120 90
Sour creamh 14 – 21
Spinachh 3 – 5
Squash, Fall, Winter, Hubbarda, w 180
Squash, Summera 10 – 14
Tangerinesh 3 – 5
Tomatoes, mature greena 14-21 days

@ 55-60 ºF

Tomatoes, pinkd 3 – 5
Tomatoes, firm ripeh 1 – 2
Tomatoes, full colorh 1 – 2
Watermelond, h 7
Whipped topping, aerosol cand 21
Whipped topping prepared from mixd, h 3
Whipped topping purchased frozen & thawedd, h 14
Yogurt, plain or fruit flavoredh 7 – 10

Reference:  Choice Plus: Food Safety Supplement