If you keep your kitchen well-stocked, you may have found yourself extracting tins from the back of the pantry or grabbing a tray of meat from the freezer and wondering ‘how long has this been there?’. Or more to the point: ‘is this safe to eat?’
Once opened, the quality of packaged food begins to deteriorate and knowing how long it can last in the fridge or cupboard can be the difference between delicious and dangerous.
In addition to shelf life, storing your food correctly is also important. While best before and use-by labels are an excellent guide, a carton of milk left on the bench instead of the fridge is going to spoil regardless of the use-by date.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the difference between use-by and best-before dates and explain how long you can keep food in your fridge, freezer and cupboard before it starts to spoil.
What’s the difference between use-by and best-before dates?
While they can sometimes be confused, there is an important difference between use-by and best-before dates.
A use-by date means food should be eaten or thrown away by the use-by date. Once the use-by date has passed, it is no longer advisable to consume the product because it may have spoiled to the point where it’s not safe to eat, or the flavour or texture may have changed. Manufacturers determine the use-by date based on food safety as well as flavour and quality.
A best-before date is more flexible. Best-before dates are designed to encourage you to eat a product while it is still fresh. However, food marked with a best-before date will typically keep for some time after the best-before date has passed.
Is it safe to eat frozen food past its use-by date?
Fresh food that has been frozen before the use-by date can be safe to eat for months after, however, the flavour, colour or texture may deteriorate over time. And while bacteria cannot grow in frozen food, if the product was contaminated at the time of freezing, it will still be contaminated when you thaw it.
Follow the guide below if you’re unsure about whether or not your food is safe to eat after thawing.
When to toss thawed frozen food:
- Smell: If the food smells rancid or ‘off’, discard it immediately.
- Texture: If the food is slimy or crumbly when it shouldn’t be, throw it away.
- Freezer burn: While the food may still be safe to eat, it will be dry and the texture will have changed.
- Colour: Changing colour isn’t always a sign food has gone bad, but if it’s coupled with a change in smell or texture, toss it out.
A shelf-life guide to the food in your fridge, freezer and cupboard
To help you better understand how long you can keep food before it goes off, we’ve put together a comprehensive shelf-life guide for fridge, freezer and cupboard items. These are recommended storing times and while food may still be safe to eat past the recommended shelf-life date, it may not taste the same.
The shelf life of meat products
Meat is highly perishable, so it’s important to eat it or freeze it before the use-by date. Once frozen, meat can last up to six months depending on the type.
General meat products
| Food | Shelf life in cupboard | Shelf life in fridge | Shelf life in freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw beef, lamb and steak | Not recommended | 3 days if wrapped, 5 days if unwrapped | 6 months |
| Raw pork roast and lamb chops | Not recommended | 3 days if wrapped | 4 months |
| Pork sausages and raw pork | Not recommended | 1-2 days | 1-2 months |
| Roast beef and roast lamb | Not recommended | 2-3 days | 6 months |
| Cooked steak | Not recommended | 2-3 days | 6 months |
| Stewed meat and casseroles | Not recommended | 2-3 days | 2-3 months |
| Beef mince | Not recommended | 2-3 days | 2-3 months |
| Pre-packaged ham slices | Not recommended | 1-2 weeks if unopened, 4 days once opened | 1-2 months |
| Sausages and salami | Not recommended | 1-2 weeks if unopened, 4 days once opened | 1-2 months |
Fish products
| Food | Shelf life in cupboard | Shelf life in fridge | Shelf life in freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw fish and prawns | Not recommended | 1-2 days | 3-4 months |
| Cooked fish and prawns | Not recommended | 3-4 days | 4-6 months |
| Cooked salmon | Not recommended | 1-2 weeks | 2 months |
| Tinned tuna | 12 months unopened | 2 days in fridge once opened | Not recommended |
| Crabs and oysters | Not recommended | 2 days | 6 months |
Poultry and other products
| Food | Shelf life in cupboard | Shelf life in fridge | Shelf life in freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken mince and raw poultry | Not recommended | 2-3 days | 3 months |
| Raw poultry – chicken, duck, turkey and goose | Not recommended | 1-2 days | 3-6 months
|
| Cooked poultry | Not recommended | 3-4 days – refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking | 3-6 months |
| Cooked chicken nuggets | Not recommended | 1-2 days | 1-3 months |
| Cooked poultry with stuffing | Not recommended | 1-2 days | 1 month |
| Meat juice and gravy | Not recommended | 1-2 days | 2-3 months |
| Tofu and meat substitutes | Not recommended | 4-5 days | 6-8 weeks |
| Frozen dinners | Not recommended | 3-4 months; keep frozen |
The shelf life of dairy products
Dairy products typically have a short shelf life and should be consumed by the use-by date. Most dairy products can safely be frozen, however, the texture may change when thawed.
| Food | Shelf life in cupboard | Shelf life in fridge | Shelf life in freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk | Not recommended | 1-2 weeks | Not recommended |
| Cream | Not recommended | 5 days once opened | Not recommended |
| Ice-cream | Not recommended | 1-2 months | |
| Yoghurt | Not recommended | 1 week | Not recommended |
| Hard cheeses | Not recommended | 1-3 months – varies by type | Not recommended |
| Cottage and cream cheeses | Not recommended | 1-2 weeks | Not recommended |
| Butter | Not recommended | 2 months | Not recommended |
| Margarine | Not recommended | About 6 months | |
| Condensed milk | Varies, need to check the labelling when sealed | Not recommended | Not recommended |
The shelf life of fat products
Many cooking oils can safely be stored in the cupboard for months after opening. Other fatty products, such as chocolate and peanut butter, can last up to two years if unopened.
| Food | Shelf life in cupboard | Shelf life in fridge | Shelf life in freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegetable oil | 1-3 months opened, 6 months unopened | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Salad oil | 2months opened, 3 months unopened | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Peanut butter | 2-3 months opened; 6-9 months unopened | 6 months opened | Not recommended |
| Olive oil | 1-2 weeks | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Raw eggs | Not recommended | 5-6 weeks | Do not freeze |
| Hard-boiled eggs/ cooked eggs | Not recommended | 1 week | Do not freeze |
| Milk chocolate | 7-8 months from opening, 10 months if unopened | Only refrigerate if necessary | Not recommended |
| Dark chocolate | 1 year from opening, 2 years if unopened | Only refrigerate if necessary | Not recommended |
The shelf life of grain, flour and wheat products
Some cupboard staples, such as flour, rice and pasta, can last up to two years if they’re properly stored. Other everyday items, such as bread and pastries, need to be consumed within a week or by the use-by date on the packaging.
| Food | Shelf life in cupboard | Shelf life in fridge | Shelf life in freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooked rice | Not recommended | 5-7 days | Not recommended |
| Raw white rice | 12 months | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Raw brown rice | 6 months, since they contain more natural oils | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Pasta | 6-12 months sealed, 2 months opened | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Cereal | 6-12 months sealed, 2 months opened | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Bread | 5-7 days | 1-2 weeks (try to avoid storing in the fridge) | Approximately 3 months |
| Cakes, cookies and muffins | 1 week | 1 week | 3 months |
The shelf life of canned and bottled goods
Fruits and vegetables have a short shelf life and most should be eaten within a week of purchasing. Some vegetables, such as potatoes and onions, can last up to two months, if stored in the fridge.
| Food | Shelf life in cupboard | Shelf life in fridge | Shelf life in freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dried fruits and gravy powder | Approx. 6 months sealed | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Canned fruits and vegetables | 12 months + sealed | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Pate | 3 weeks sealed, 5-7 days once opened | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Mayonnaise/salad dressing | Not recommended | 2-3 months | Do not freeze |
| Tomato/barbeque sauce | 4-6 months | 4-5 months | Do not freeze |
| Bottled fruit juice | 1-2 weeks | Not recommended | |
| Canned fruit juice | 6 months max | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Soft drink | 6 months | 6 months | Not recommended |
| Baby food | Approx. 6 months unopened | 1-2 days once opened | Do not freeze |
The shelf life of fruits and vegetables
Eating fresh produce is a requirement of a healthy diet, yet a lot of people end up throwing away rotten fruits and veggies due to the rate at which they expire. To avoid this, consult the following two tables below, separated for fruit and vegetables.
Fruit
| Food | Shelf life in cupboard | Shelf life in fridge | Shelf life in freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apples | 4 days | 1 month | Not recommended |
| Avocadoes | 3 days | 3 days | Not recommended |
| Bananas | 7 days if green, 2-4 days if ripe | Do not refrigerate as they will turn black in the cold | Not recommended |
| Berries | Not recommended | 2-3 days | Not recommended |
| Citrus | 1-2 weeks | 2 weeks + | Not recommended |
| Grapes | 3-5 days | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Kiwi fruit | 2-3 days to ripen | 1 week once ripe | Not recommended |
| Melons | 1 week | Not recommended | |
| Peaches | 1 day to ripen | 3 days once ripe | Not recommended |
| Pears | 2 days to ripen | 2 weeks once ripe | Not recommended |
| Pineapple | 2 days (whole pineapple) | 1 week once cut | Not recommended |
| Strawberries | Not recommended | 3 days if covered and isolated from other foods | Not recommended |
| Watermelon | 2-3 days | 6-8 days | Not recommended |
Vegetables
| Food | Shelf life in cupboard | Shelf life in fridge | Shelf life in freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-packaged frozen vegetables | Not recommended | 12 months in original packaging | Not recommended |
| Canned vegetables | Not recommended | 3 days once opened | Not recommended |
| Asparagus | Not recommended | 3-5 days | Not recommended |
| Beans | Not recommended | 3-6 days | Not recommended |
| Broccoli | Not recommended | 5-7 days | Not recommended |
| Cabbage | Not recommended | 1-2 months | Not recommended |
| Carrots | Not recommended | 1-3 months | Not recommended |
| Capsicum | Not recommended | 1-2 weeks | Not recommended |
| Cauliflower | Not recommended | 1-2 weeks | Not recommended |
| Celery | Not recommended | 3-4 weeks | Not recommended |
| Corn | Not recommended | 3 days | Not recommended |
| Cucumber | Not recommended | 10-12 days | Not recommended |
| Eggplants | Not recommended | 10-12 days | Not recommended |
| Lettuce and mushrooms | Not recommended | 10-12 days | Not recommended |
| Onions | 1-3 months | 1-3 months | Not recommended |
| Peas | Not recommended | 5-6 days | Not recommended |
| Sweet and white potatoes | 2-4 months | Do not refrigerate | Not recommended |
| Tomatoes | 2-5 weeks to ripen | 5-7 days | Not recommended |
In addition to this information above, there are a number of things you should know that are often necessary to maintain the lifespan and quality of your fruit and veggies:
- Store apples in plastic and separate them from other fruits and veggies in the fridge. Apple gas turns things brown.
- Keep all citrus fruits in plastic bags or containers, separate from other fruits and veggies.
- Keep grapes in a covered bowl to retain their moisture.
- Wrap melons tightly in cling wrap so their odour won’t contaminate other foods.
- Wrap all tomatoes in paper if you want them to stay fresh in the fridge.
- When storing veggies in plastic bags, poke a few holes in the bags to provide air circulation.
- Always keep fruits and vegetables in separate produce sections of your fridge.
- Never store potatoes and onions together, as they give off gases that can cause rapid decay of the other.
- Don’t wash the veggies prior to putting them in the fridge. Only do this once you’re ready to eat them.
Eating foods that have passed their shelf lives can lead to food poisoning, salmonella poisoning and other illnesses, so it is best you avoid doing so. Knowing the shelf life and expiry dates of the foods in your fridge is an easy way to avoid illness, although you can always learn to recognise the signs that your food is off as well.
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Original Author: Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito
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