In the refrigerator
| Food
| Refrigerator (4 C)
| Freezer (-18 C)
| Eggs, fresh in shell
| 3-5 weeks
| Don't freeze
| Eggs, hard cooked
| 1 week
| Don't freeze
| Mayonnaise, commercial, opened
| 2 months
| Don't freeze
| Prepared egg, chicken, tuna or macaroni salad
| 3-5 days
| Don't freeze
| Ground beef, turkey, veal, pork, lamb
| 1-2 days
| 3-4 months
| Deli meats (unopened package)
| 2 weeks
| 1-2 months
| Deli meats (opened package)
| 3-5 days
| 1-2 months
| Bacon
| 7 days
| 1 month
| Chicken or turkey, whole
| 1-2 days
| 1 year
| Chicken or turkey, pieces
| 1-2 days
| 9 months
| Steaks
| 3-5 days
| 6-12 months
| Roasts
| 3-5 days
| 4-12 months
| Fish, shellfish and other seafood
| 1-2 days
| 4-6 months
| Cooked meat and meat casserole leftovers
| 3-4 days
| 2-3 months
| Fruit juice in carton
| 3 weeks unopened; 7-10 days opened
| 8-12 months
| Butter
| 1-3 months
| 6-9 months
| Cheese (hard, like cheddar)
| 6 months unopened; 3-4 weeks opened
| 6 months
| Cheese (soft, like brie)
| 1 week
| 6 months
| Cream cheese
| 2 weeks
| Don't freeze
| Margarine
| 4-5 months
| 12 months
| Milk
| 7 days
| 3 months
| Yogurt
| 7-14 days
| 1-2 months
| In the pantry (at room temperature) | Canned goods
| 12 months
| Cereal grains
| 8 months
| Dry beans
| 24 months
| Flour
| 12 months
| Baking powder
| 6 months unopened; 3 months opened
| Baking soda
| 18 months unopened; 6 months opened
| Pasta/rice
| 2 years unopened; 1 year opened
(egg noodles are an exception and should be used 1 month after opening)
| Sugar
| Indefinitely
| Vegetable oils
| 6 months unopened; 4-6 months opened
|
|
For more information, visit the following websites:
• Ontario Ministry of Health -- Safe Food Handling
• BC Centre for Disease Control -- Food Programs
• USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service -- Cold Storage Chart
Comments