FOOD STORAGE CHART
(Storage times are approximate and may vary depending on type of packaging, storage temperature, and the quality of the food when
purchased.)
Foods
DAIRY PRODUCTS
Butter
Milk & cream
Cream cheese, cheese
spread & cheese food
Cottage cheese
Sour cream
Hard cheese (Swiss,
Cheddar & Parmesan)
EGGS
Eggs in the shell
Leftover yolks or whites
FRUITS
Apples
Bananas
Pears, plums, avocados
Berries, cherries, apricots
Grapes
Citrus fruits
Pineapples, cut
VEGETABLES
Asparagus
Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cau-
liflower, green peas, lima
beans, onions, peppers
Cabbage, celery
Carrots, parsnips, beets, &
turnips
Lettuce
POULTRY & FISH
Chicken and Turkey, whole
Chicken and Turkey, pieces
Fish
MEATS
Bacon
Beef or lamb, ground
Beef or lamb, roast & steak
Ham, fully cooked, whole
half
slices
Luncheon meat
Pork, roast
Pork, chops
Sausage, ground
Sausage, smoked
Veal
Frankfurters
Sources: United States Department of Agriculture; Food Marketing Institute; Cooperative Extension Service, Iowa State University
Refrigerator
Freezer
1 month
6-9 months
1 week
Not recommended
1-2 weeks
Not recommended
3-5 days
Not recommended
10 days
1-2 months
4-6 months
May become crumbly
3 weeks
Not recommended
2-4 days
9-12 months
1 month
8 months (cooked)
2-4 days
6 months (whole/peeled)
3-4 days
Not recommended
2-3 days
6 months
3-5 days
1 month (whole)
1-2 weeks
Not recommended
2-3 days
6-12 months
1-2 days
8-10 months
3-5 days
8-10 months
1-2 weeks
Not recommended
7-10 days
8-10 months
7-10 days
Not recommended
1-2 days
12 months
1-2 days
9 months
1-2 days
2-6 months
7 days
1 month
1-2 days
3-4 months
3-5 days
6-9 months
7 days
1-2 months
5 days
1-2 months
3 days
1-2 months
3-5 days
1-2 months
3-5 days
4-6 months
3-5 days
4 months
1-2 days
1-2 months
7 days
1-2 months
4-6 months
3-5 days
7 days
1 month
Storage Tips
Wrap tightly or cover.
Check carton date. Close tightly. Don't return unused portions
to original container. Don't freeze cream unless whipped.
Wrap tightly.
Store in original carton. Check carton date.
Wrap tightly. Cut off any mold.
Refrigerate small ends down.
For each cup of yolks to be frozen, add 1 tsp. sugar for use in
sweet, or 1 tsp. salt for non-sweet dishes.
May also store unripe or hard apples at 60-70° F.
Ripen at room temperature before refrigerating. Bananas and avo-
cados darken when refrigerated.
May also store at 60-70° F. If refrigerated, store uncovered.
Will not ripen after purchase. Use quickly.
Do not wash before refrigerating. Store in crisper.
Wrap odorous foods. Leave peas in pods.
Wrap odorous foods & refrigerate in crisper.
Remove tops. Wrap odorous foods and refrigerate in the crisper.
Keep in original packaging for refrigeration. When freezing longer
than 2 weeks, overwrap with freezer wrap.
Fresh meats can be kept in original packaging for refrigeration.
When freezing longer than 2 weeks, overwrap with freezer wrap.
Unopened, vacuum-packed luncheon meat may be kept up to 2
weeks in the Snack Drawer.
Processed meats should be tightly wrapped and stored in the
Snack Drawer.
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