This section provides expiration dates for some commonly used food items. Food items are unopened and uncooked unless stated otherwise.
Following table is a recommended guide for food storage. Please use your own discretion when storing foods.
|
Item |
Pantry |
Refrigerator |
Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Apples |
2 to 4 weeks |
1 to 2 months |
8 to 12 months |
|
Bananas |
2 to 7 days |
5 to 9 days |
2 to 3 months |
|
Cantaloupes |
Until ripe |
1 week |
8 to 12 months |
|
Grapes |
3 to 5 days |
7 to 10 days |
3 to 5 months |
|
Lemons |
2 to 4 weeks |
1 to 2 months |
3 to 4 months |
|
Peaches |
Until ripe |
2 to 5 days |
8 to 12 months |
|
Strawberries |
1 to 2 days |
5 to 7 days |
6 to 8 months |
|
Item |
Pantry |
Refrigerator |
Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Broccoli |
2 days |
7 to 14 days |
8 to 12 months |
|
Carrots |
Up to 4 days |
4 to 5 weeks |
8 to 12 months |
|
Cucumbers |
1 to 3 days |
1 week |
8 to 12 months |
|
Green beans |
1 day (not recommended) |
1 week |
8 to 12 months |
|
Lettuce |
1 day (not recommended) |
1 week |
Do not freeze |
|
Potatoes |
1 month |
3 to 4 months |
Do not freeze |
|
Tomatoes |
5 to 7 days |
2 weeks |
8 to 12 months |
|
Item |
Pantry |
Refrigerator |
Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Butter |
10 days |
1 to 3 months |
6 to 9 months |
|
Cheese (hard) |
1 to 3 months |
2 to 4 months |
6 to 8 months |
|
Cheese (soft) |
Few hours |
2 to 4 months |
6 to 8 months |
|
Eggs |
Few hours |
3 to 4 weeks |
Do not freeze |
|
Milk |
Few hours |
5 to 7 days |
1 month |
|
Yogurt |
Few hours |
2 to 3 weeks |
1 to 2 months |
|
Item |
Pantry |
Refrigerator |
Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bacon |
2 hours |
2 weeks |
4 months |
|
Chicken |
2 hours |
1 to 2 days |
1 year |
|
Fish |
2 hours |
1 to 2 days |
6 to 9 months |
|
Ham |
2 hours |
1 week |
6 months |
|
Hamburger |
2 hours |
1 to 2 days |
6 to 8 months |
|
Steak |
2 hours |
1 to 2 days |
6 to 8 months |
|
Item |
Pantry |
Refrigerator |
Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread |
5 to 7 days |
1 to 2 weeks |
2 to 3 months |
|
Honey |
Forever |
Forever (not recommended) |
Forever |
|
Ketchup |
1 year |
1 year |
Do not freeze |
|
Mayonnaise |
2 to 3 months |
1 year (2 months if opened) |
Do not freeze |
|
Soda |
6 to 9 months |
6 to 9 months |
Do not freeze |