Supermarkets stock an amazing array of fresh,

frozen and prepared foods. After selecting these

perishable food items, it’s up to you to take care A Consumer Guide to Food Quality & Safe Handling
of them properly. The Food Keeper is designed
to help you shop for groceries and handle food
products carefully, and safely, from the store to
the table.

• Begin your grocery shopping by selecting

shelf-stable items such as canned goods, www.fightbac.org
chips and soft drinks. Make sure the
containers are intact. Cans should not be
bulging, leaking or dented on the seam or
rim. Lids must be secure. Plastic or paper
packaging shouldn’t be torn. Developed by
• Select refrigerated and frozen foods and hot
Food Marketing Institute
deli items last – right before checkout.
655 15th Street, NW, Suite 700
• Don’t choose meat, fish, poultry or dairy Washington, DC 20005
products that feel warm to the touch or have (202) 452-8444
a damaged or torn package. If a package Web site: www.fmi.org/consumer
begins to leak, wrap it in plastic bags.
• Choose only pasteurized dairy products and with
refrigerated eggs that are not cracked or Cornell University
dirty. Institute of Food Science
• Check “sell-by” and “use-by” dates on Cornell Cooperative Extension
packages. (607) 255-3262
Web site: http://foodscience.cals.cornell.edu/

Once you purchase food, take it directly home.

If this is not possible, keep a cooler in the car to
transport cold perishable items. Immediately Call USDA’s Meat and Poultry Hotline toll free at:
put perishables into the refrigerator or freezer. 1-800-535-4555, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time,
Monday through Friday year round, for more information
about the safe handling, cooking, and storage of food.
Web site: www.fsis.usda.gov

Call FDA’s Center for Food Safety and

Applied Nutrition toll free at
1-(888) 723-3366.
Web site: www.cfsan.fda.gov.
 foods purchased refrigerated
THE FOOD KEEPER
PRODUCT REFRIGERATED FROZEN
The Food Keeper contains valuable
storage advice to help you maintain BEVERAGES, FRUIT
the freshness and quality of foods. Juice in cartons, fruit drinks, punch 3 weeks, unopened; 8-12 months
Some foods deteriorate quickly, 7-10 days open
while the quality of other items may
DAIRY PRODUCTS
last longer than expected. This is
why the storage times listed in the Butter 1-3 months 6-9 months
accompanying charts are Buttermilk 1-2 weeks 3 months
intended as useful guidelines, not Cheese, hard (such as cheddar, 6 months unopened; 6 months
hard and fast rules. swiss, block parmesan) 3-4 weeks opened
Parmesan, shredded 1 month opened 3-4 months
Shredded cheddar, mozzarella, etc. 1 month 3-4 months
Remember to buy foods in reasonable
Cheese, processed slices 1-2 months Doesn't freeze well
quantities and rotate them in your
Cheese, soft (such as Brie, Bel Paese) 1 week 6 months
pantry, refrigerator and freezer. Cottage cheese, ricotta 1 week Doesn't freeze well
Cream cheese 2 weeks Doesn't freeze well
REFRIGERATED FOOD Cream, whipping, ultrapasteurized 1 month Do not freeze
Whipped, sweetened 1 day 1-2 months
Refrigerate food to preserve fresh- Aerosol can, real whipped cream 3-4 weeks Do not freeze
ness. However, over time, even Aerosol can, nondairy topping 3 months Do not freeze
chilled food begins to go bad. The Cream, half-and-half 3-4 days 4 months
Food Keeper charts indicate refrig- Dips, sour cream based 2 weeks Do not freeze
erator storage times for a wide variety Egg substitutes, liquid
of food items, calculated from the unopened 10 days Do not freeze
date of purchase. opened 3 days
Eggnog, commercial 3-5 days 6 months
Temperature Eggs, in shell 3-5 weeks Do not freeze
raw whites, yolks* 2-4 days 12 months
• Set the refrigerator to maintain a hard cooked 1 week Doesn't freeze well
Kefir (fermented milk) 1 week after date;
temperature of 40oF or below.
opened 1-2 days Do not freeze
• Keep a refrigerator thermometer in
Margarine 6 months 12 months
the unit or check the temperature Milk, plain or flavored 1 week 3 months
seasonally. Pudding Package date;
• Don’t overload the refrigerator. Air 2 days after opening Do not freeze
must circulate freely to cool all foods Sour cream 7-21 days Doesn't freeze well
evenly. Yogurt 7-14 days 1-2 months
DOUGH
Tube cans of biscuits, rolls,
pizza dough, etc. Use-by date Do not freeze
Ready-to-bake pie crust Use-by date 2 months
Cookie dough Use by date,
unopened or opened 2 months
PASTA, fresh 1-2 days or use-by
date on package 2 months
PESTO or SALSA Date on carton;
3 days after opening 1-2 months
SOY PRODUCTS
Soy or rice beverage, refrigerated 7-10 days Do not freeze
Tofu 1 week or
= Does not apply package date 5 months
Miso 3 months Do not freeze

*When freezing egg yolks, beat in either 1/8 teaspoon salt or 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar or corn syrup
per 1/4 cup egg yolks (4 yolks).
 foods purchased refrigerated
STORING REFRIGERATED FOOD MEAT, POULTRY & FISH REFRIGERATED FROZEN
• Leave meat, poultry and seafood in the FISH
store packaging before using. Repeated Lean fish (cod, flounder, haddock,
handling can introduce bacteria into halibut, sole, etc.) 1-2 days 6-8 months
products. Lean fish (pollock, ocean perch,
• Store opened food in foil, plastic rockfish, sea trout) 1-2 days 4 months
Fatty fish (bluefish, mackerel, mullet,
wrap, leak-proof plastic bags or air- salmon, tuna, etc.) 1-2 days 2-3 months
tight, food storage containers to keep Caviar, fresh, in jar 1-4 weeks; 2 days open Doesn't freeze well
food from drying out. Cooked fish, all 3-4 days 1-2 months
• Place meat, poultry and seafood in Surimi seafood 3-4 days or package date 9 months
the coldest part of the refrigerator. Store SHELLFISH
eggs in their original carton on a shelf,
Shrimp, scallops, crayfish, squid 1-2 days 3-6 months
not in the door. Shucked clams, mussels and oysters 1-2 days 3-4 months
• Defrost or marinate meat in the re- Crab meat, fresh 1-2 days 4 months
frigerator – never on the kitchen Crab meat, pasteurized 6 months unopened;
counter. 3-5 days, opened 4 months
• Place meat, poultry and seafood Crab legs, king, dungeness, snow 5 days 9-12 months
Live clams, mussels, crab and oysters 1-2 days 2-3 months
items on the lowest shelf to minimize Live lobsters 1-2 days 2-3 months
leakage onto other stored foods. Lobster tails 1-2 days 6 months
• Clean the refrigerator regularly to Cooked shellfish, all 3-4 days 3 months
remove spoiled food, odors and bac-
teria. Don’t overload the refrigerator. SMOKED FISH
Herring 3-4 days 2 months
Air must circulate freely to cool all Salmon, whitefish, cold-smoked 5-8 days 2 months
foods evenly. Salmon, whitefish, hot smoked 14 days or date on vacuum pkg 6 months in vacuum pkg

HANDLING FOOD SAFELY MEAT, FRESH

AT HOME Beef, lamb, pork or veal chops, steaks,roasts 3-5 days 4-12 months
Ground meat 1-2 days 3-4 months
Variety meats (liver, tongue, chitterlings, etc.) 1-2 days 3-4 months
Many cases of foodborne illness occur Cooked meats (after home cooking) 3-4 days 2-3 months
each year due to improper handling
of food in the home. Microorganisms MEAT, SMOKED OR PROCESSED
multiply rapidly at temperatures be- Bacon 1 week 1 month
tween 40ºF and 140ºF. Unfortunately, Corned beef, in pouch with pickling juices 5-7 days 1 month
Ham, canned ("keep refrigerated" label) 6-9 months Do not freeze
the harmful bacteria that cause most Ham, fully cooked, whole 1 week 1-2 months
cases of foodborne illness cannot be Ham, fully cooked, slices or half 3-4 days 1-2 months
seen, smelled or tasted. Therefore, it’s Ham, cook before eating 1 week 1-2 months
important to: Hot dogs, sealed in package 2 weeks 1-2 months
Hot dogs, after opening 1 week 1-2 months
Lunch meats, sealed in package 2 weeks 1-2 months
Keep Cold foods Cold Lunch meats, after opening 3-5 days 1-2 months
(40 F or below)
o
Sausage, raw, bulk type 1-2 days 1-2 months
and Hot foods Hot Sausage, smoked links, patties 1 week 1-2 months
(140 F or above).
o
Sausage, hard, dry (pepperoni), sliced 2-3 weeks 1-2 months
POULTRY, FRESH
and follow these additional rules from Chicken or turkey, whole 1-2 days 12 months
the FightBAC!® Partnership for Food Chicken or turkey, parts 1-2 days 9 months
Safety: Duckling or goose, whole 1-2 days 6 months
Giblets 1-2 days 3-4 months
1. CLEAN: Wash hands and surfaces POULTRY, COOKED or PROCESSED
often and thoroughly. Chicken nuggets, patties 1-2 days 1-3 months
2. SEPARATE: Don't cross-contaminate. Cooked poultry dishes 3-4 days 4-6 months
3. COOK: Cook to proper temperatures. Fried chicken 3-4 days 4 months
4. CHILL: Refrigerate promptly. (after Ground turkey or chicken 1-2 days 3-4 months
home cooking) 3-4 days refrigerated Lunch meats, sealed in package 2 weeks 1-2 months
Lunch meats, after opening 3-5 days 1-2 months
or 2-3 months frozen. Pieces covered with broth or gravy 1-2 days 6 months
Rotisserie chicken 3-4 days 4 months
 fresh fruits and vegetables
FRUITS SHELF REFRIGERATOR FREEZER FRESH PRODUCE
Apples 1-2 days 3 weeks Cooked, 8 months • Raw fruit and vegetables can be held
Apricots Until ripe 2-3 days Do not freeze
at room temperature, stored in the re-
Avocados Until ripe 3-4 days Do not freeze
Bananas Until ripe 2 days, skin will blacken Whole peeled,1 month
frigerator or frozen. For most produce,
Berries, cherries 1-2 days 4 months refrigeration is the best way to main-
Citrus Fruit 10 days 1-2 weeks Do not freeze tain quality and delay ripening.
Coconuts, fresh 1 week 2-3 weeks Shredded, 6 months
Grapes 1 day 1 week Whole, 1 month • Wash produce under running water
Kiwi Fruit Until ripe 3-4 days Do not freeze before preparation.
Melons 1-2 days 3-4 days Balls, 1 month
Papaya, mango 3-5 days 1 week Do not freeze • Once fruits and vegetables are cut,
Peaches, nectarines Until ripe 3-4 days Sliced, lemon juice chopped or cooked, they should be
& sugar, 2 months placed in the refrigerator within two
Pears, Plums 3-5 days 3-4 days Do not freeze
hours, or frozen in plastic freezer
containers.
VEGETABLES SHELF RAW, REFRIG. FROZEN*
Artichokes, whole 1-2 days 1-2 weeks Do not freeze Here are more rules for handling
Asparagus 3-4 days 8 months food safely in the home:
Beans, green or wax 3-4 days 8 months
Beets 1 day 7-10 days 6-8 months • Keep EVERYTHING clean – hands,
Bok choy 2-3days 10-12 months utensils, counters, cutting boards and
Broccoli, raab, rapini 3-5 days 10-12 months sinks.
Brussels sprouts 3-5 days 10-12 months • Always WASH HANDS and
Cauliflower 3-5 days 10-12 months
EQUIPMENT thoroughly with soap
Cabbage 1-2 weeks 10-12 months
Carrots, parsnips 3 weeks 10-12 months
and hot water before preparing foods
Celery 1-2 weeks 10-12 months and after handling raw meat, poultry
Corn on the cob 1-2 days 8 months or seafood.
Cucumbers 4-5 days Do not freeze • Don’t let juices from raw meat,
Eggplant 1 day 3-4 days 6-8 months poultry or seafood touch ready-to-eat
Garlic 1 month 1-2 weeks 1 month foods during shopping, in the refrig-
Ginger Root 1-2 days 1-2 weeks 1 month erator or during preparation.
Greens 1-2 days 10-12 months • Always put cooked food on a clean
Herbs, fresh 7-10 days 1-2 months plate that did not previously hold raw
Leeks 1-2 weeks 10-12 months meat, poultry or seafood.
Lettuce, iceberg 1-2 weeks Do not freeze
• Cutting boards can be a source of
Lettuce, leaf 3-7 days Do not freeze
Mushrooms 2-3 days 10-12 months bacterial contamination, so it’s a
Okra 2-3 days 10-12 months good idea to use different cutting
Onions, dry 2-3 weeks 2 months 10-12 months boards for raw meat and poultry, pro-
Spring or green 1-2 weeks 10-12 months duce and ready-to-eat foods. When
Parsley, cilantro 1 week 1-2 months using cutting boards, make sure that
Peppers, bell or chile 4-5 days 6-8 months they are thoroughly cleaned.
Potatoes 1-2 months 1-2 weeks Cooked and mashed, • Cook foods to proper temperatures
10-12 months to kill bacteria.
Radishes 10-14 days Do not freeze • Use a clean food thermometer to
Rutabagas 1 week 2 weeks 8-10 months
make sure foods reach proper tem-
Spinach 1-2 days 10-12 months
Squash, summer 4-5 days 10-12 months peratures.
winter 1 week 2 weeks 10-12 months
Turnips 2 weeks 8-10 months
Tomatoes Until ripe 2-3 days 2 months

*It is recommended to blanch (partially cook) or cook vegetables before freezing.

 foods purchased frozen
FROZEN FOODS
FROZEN ITEMS FREEZER REFRIGERATOR AFTER THAWING
Because foods frozen at peak quality will Bagels 2 months 1-2 weeks
taste better than foods frozen near the end Bread Dough, commercial Use-by date After baking, 4-7 days
of their useful life, quickly freeze items Burritos, sandwiches 2 months 3-4 days
you don’t plan to use in the next day or Egg substitutes 12 months Date on Carton
two. Keep the freezer temperature at 0ºF Fish, breaded 3-6 months Do not defrost. Cook frozen.
or below; frozen food quality deteriorates Fish, raw 6 months 1-2 days
Fruit such as berries, melons 4-6 months 4-5 days
more rapidly above 0ºF.
Guacamole 3-4 months 3-4 days
Ice cream 2-4 months
Remember, freezing to 0ºF inactivates but Juice concentrates 6-12 months 7-10 days
does not destroy microbes such as bacteria, Lobster tails 3 months 2 days
yeasts and molds that can be present in Pancakes, Waffles 2 months 3-4 days
food. Once a frozen food item is thawed, Sausages, uncooked 1-2 months 1-2 days
these microbes can become active, mul- precooked 1-2 months 1 week
tiplying under the right conditions to levels Sherbet, sorbet 2-4 months
that can lead to foodborne illness. Shrimp, shellfish 12 months 1-2 days
Soy crumbles and hotdogs 9 months 3-4 days
Soy meat substitutes 12-18 months 3-4 days
Defrosting Tempeh 12 months 1-2 weeks
Never defrost foods outdoors, in a cold Topping, whipped 6 months 2 weeks
room in the house, such as the basement, TV Dinners, entrees,
or on the kitchen counter. These methods breakfast 3 months Do not defrost. Cook frozen.
encourage growth of harmful bacteria. Vegetables 8 months 3-4 days

• There are three ways to defrost food: in deli foods

the refrigerator, in a sealed package in cold
water, and in the microwave oven. Never DELI FOODS REFRIGERATOR FREEZER
defrost or thaw a food product by leaving Main dishes or meals,
it out on the kitchen counter. hot or refrigerated 3-4 days 2-3 months
• Food thawed in the refrigerator can be Meats covered with gravy
refrozen without cooking. Plan ahead be- or broth 1-2 days 6 months
cause food may take several hours to thaw Commercial brand vacuum packed
in the refrigerator (or even days for tur- dinners with USDA seal 2 weeks Does not freeze well
Chicken, rotisserie or fried 3-4 days 4 months
keys).
Luncheon meats, store-sliced 3-5 days 1-2 months
• Foods defrosted in cold water or in the Pate 1-2 days 1-2 months
microwave should be cooked immediately. Cheese, store-sliced, hard cheese
such as cheddar or swiss 3-4 weeks 6 months
DELI FOODS Cheese, soft (such as brie,
bel paese, goat cheese,
Your supermarket deli maintains rigid fresh mozzarella) 1 week 6 months
quality assurance and sanitation standards Salads containing meat, fish,
to ensure you will always receive fresh, poultry or eggs 3-4 days Don’t freeze.
wholesome products. Salads, vegetable 3-5 days Don’t freeze.
Side dishes such as cooked
• As soon as you get home, immediately
vegetables, rice or potatoes 3-4 days 1-2 months
put cold perishables into the refrigerator Olives 2 weeks Don’t freeze.
or freezer. Pudding Package date; Don’t freeze.
• Hot perishable foods from the deli de- 2 days after opening
partment need to be kept at 140oF or Fruit, cut Package date; Don’t freeze.
above, or consumed within two hours. 4 days after opening
• For hot deli foods to be eaten at a later Cheesecake 1 week 2-3 months
time, place them in shallow, covered con-
tainers and refrigerate or freeze within two
hours.
• Reheat foods to 165ºF.
 shelf-stable foods
PANTRY STORAGE
SHELF STABLE FOODS UNOPENED REFRIGERATOR IN PANTRY
IN PANTRY AFTER OPENING AFTER OPENING
Shelf-stable foods such as canned
Baby food, jars or cans,
fruits & vegetables Use-by date 2-3 days goods, cereal, baking mixes, pasta, dry
meats & eggs 1 day beans, mustard, ketchup and peanut
cereal, dry mixes 2 months butter can be kept safely at room tem-
Formula 1-2 days perature.
Bacon Bits, Imitation 4 months refer to jar 4 months
Beans, Dried 12 months 12 months To keep these foods at their best quality,
Canned goods, low acid 2-5 years 3-4 days
store them in clean, dry, cool (below
(such as meat, poultry,
fish, gravy, stew, soups, 85ºF) cabinets away from the stove or
beans, carrots, corn, the refrigerator's exhaust. Extremely hot
pasta, peas, potatoes, (over 100ºF) and freezing temperatures
spinach) are harmful to canned goods.
Canned goods, high acid 12-18 months 5-7 days
(such as juices, fruit, Never use food from cans that are leaking,
pickles, sauerkraut,
tomato soup, and foods
rusting, bulging, badly dented, or with
in vinegar-based sauce) a foul odor; cracked jars or jars with
Cereal, ready-to-eat 6-12 months 3 months loose or bulging lids; or any container
Cook before eating that spurts liquid when you open it.
(oatmeal, etc.) 12 months 6-12 months NEVER TASTE such foods. Throw out any
Coffee, whole beans, 1-3 weeks 1 week food you suspect is spoiled. In general,
non-vacuum bag (For all types; 3-4 months most canned foods have a long shelf
ground, in cans 2 years frozen; 2 weeks refrigerated) 1 week
instant, jars and tins 12 months 2-3 months
life, and when properly stored, can be
eaten for several years:
BAKING INGREDIENTS
Baking powder 6 months 3 months • Low-acid canned goods — two to
Baking soda 18 months 6 months five years (canned meat and poultry,
Biscuit or pancake mix 15 months Pkg use-by date stews, soups except tomato, pasta prod-
Cake, Brownie, Bread Mixes 12-18 months Pkg use-by date ucts, potatoes, corn, carrots, spinach,
Cornmeal, regular, degerminated 6-12 months 12 months
stone ground or blue 1 month 2-3 months beans, beets, peas and pumpkin).
Cornstarch 18 months 18 months • High-acid canned goods — 12 to 18
Flour, white 6-12 months 6-8 months months (tomato products, fruits,
Flour, whole wheat 1 month 6-8 months sauerkraut and foods in vinegar-based
Frosting, canned 10 months 1 week 3 months sauces or dressings).
Frosting mixes 12 months 3 months • Some canned hams are shelf-stable.
Chocolate, unsweetened 18-24 months 1 year
Never store ham or any foods labeled
and semi-sweet, solid
Chocolate syrup 2 years 6 months “keep refrigerated” in the pantry. These
Cocoa and Cocoa Mixes Indefinitely 1 year foods must be stored in the refrigerator.
CONDIMENTS
Many shelf-stable foods remain edible
Barbecue sauce, bottled 12 months 4 months 1 month for several weeks, or even months, af-
Ketchup, Cocktail or
Chili sauce 12 months 6 months 1 month ter opening, as the accompanying chart
Chutney 12 months 1-2 months indicates. However, be sure to read
Horseradish, in jar 12 months 3-4 months package labels. Some items must be
Mayonnaise, commercial 2-3 months 2 months refrigerated after opening. Of course,
Mustard 12 months 12 months 1 month products that become contaminated
Olives, black and green 12-18 months 2 weeks (bugs in flour, for example) should be
Pickles 12 months 1-2 weeks
immediately thrown out.
Salad Dressings,
commercial, bottled 10-12 months 3 months
Salsa, picante & taco 12 months 1 month
sauces
COOKIES, packaged 2 months 8-12 months frozen 4 weeks

CRACKERS 8 months Freeze or refrigerate 1 month

3-4 months
 shelf-stable foods
FOOD PRODUCT DATING
SHELF STABLE FOODS UNOPENED REFRIGERATOR IN PANTRY
IN PANTRY AFTER OPENING AFTER OPENING
Dates are printed on many food items,
Diet powder mixes 6 months 3 months
but product dating is not required by Extracts, vanilla, lemon, etc. 3 years 1 year
federal regulations except on infant for- Fruits, dried 6 months 6 months 1 month
mula and baby foods. Dating of some Garlic, chopped, 18 months Refrigerate;use by
foods, usually dairy products, is required commercial jars 8 months date on jar
by more than 20 states. An expired date Gelatin, flavored 18 months Use all or reseal for
doesn’t necessarily mean that the food unflavored 3 years 3-4 months
Gravy, jars and cans 2-5 years 1-2 days Use entire can
needs to be discarded. Still, it’s helpful
dry gravy mixes 2 years 1-2 days Mix entire packet
to understand the differences among Herbs, dried 1-2 years Cool, dark place 1 year
package dates. Honey 12 months 12 months
Jams, jellies, preserves 12 months 6 months
Coded dates (packing numbers) may Jerky, commercially dried 12 months 2-3 months
appear on shelf-stable products such as Jerky, homemade 1-2 months 1-2 months
cans and boxes of food. This enables Juice, boxes 4-6 months 8-12 days
Lentils, dried 12 months 12 months
manufacturers to rotate their stock, as
Marshmallows,
well as locate their products in the event marshmallow creme 2-4 months 1 month
of a recall. Milk, canned evaporated 12 months 4-5 days
Molasses 12 months 6 months
Calendar dates help stores determine Mushrooms, dried 6 months 3 months
how long to display the product for sale Oils, olive or vegetable 6 months 4 months 1-3 months
and relate to the peak quality of food, nut oils 6 months
vegetable oil sprays 2 years 1 year
not safety. Calendar dates are found pri-
Nuts, jars or cans 12 months Refrigerate 4-6 months 1 month
marily on perishable foods, such as dairy Freeze 9-12 months
products, eggs, meat and poultry. Pasta, dry, without eggs 2 years 1 year
Dry egg noodles 2 years 1-2 months
Here are the three ways that products Peanut butter, commercial 6-9 months 2-3 months
are dated: Peas, dried split 12 months 12 months
Pectin Use by pkg. date 1 month
Popcorn, dry kernels in jar 2 years 1 year
• “Sell-by” date - tells the store how long Commercially popped in bags 2-3 months 1-2 weeks
to display the product for sale. You microwave packets 12 months 1-2 days popped
should buy the product before the date Potato chips 2 months 1-2 weeks
expires. Potatoes, instant 6-12 months 6-12 months
• “Best if Used By (or Before)” - recom- Pudding mixes 12 months 3-4 months
mended for best flavor or quality. It is Rice, white or wild 2 years 1 year
not a purchase or safety date. brown 1 year 6 months 1 year
flavored or herb mixes 6 months Use all
• “Use By” - the last date recommended Sauce mixes, nondairy 2 years Use entire amount
for use of the product while at peak (spaghetti, taco, etc.)
quality. The manufacturer of the prod- Cream sauces, milk solids 1 year
uct has determined the date. Shortening, solid 8 months 3 months
Soda such as carbonated
BABY FOOD cola drinks, mixers:
Do not buy or use infant formula and diet sodas, bottles or cans 3 mos. after date 2-3 days 1 week
regular sodas, bottles 3 mos. after date 2-3 days 2 weeks
baby food past its “use-by” date. Federal regular sodas, cans 9 mos. after date
regulations require a date on these prod- Soup mixes, dry bouillon 12 months 12 months
ucts.
SOY PRODUCTS
Soy or rice beverage, 3 months or
shelf stable "use-by" date 7-10 days
soy beverage powders 6 months 3-4 months
soy flour, de-fatted, low-fat 1 year 1 year
soy flour, full-fat 2 months 6 months
Textured soy protein (TSP) 2 years 3-4 months
Re-hydrated TSP 3-4 months 3-4 days
Spaghetti sauce in jars 18 months 4 days
 shelf-stable foods/bakery items KEEPING FOOD SAFE DURING
A POWER OUTAGE
SHELF STABLE FOODS UNOPENED REFRIGERATOR IN PANTRY
IN PANTRY AFTER OPENING AFTER OPENING
Sooner or later, the electricity may fail
Spices, whole 2-4 years total Included in total
ground 2-3 years total Included in total due to a power outage, and a refrig-
paprika, red pepper, & erator without electricity cannot keep
chili powder 2 years total Store in refrigerator Included in total food safe very long. To be prepared,
Sugar, brown 4 months Sugar never spoils keep an appliance thermometer in
granulated 2 years both the refrigerator and freezer to
confectioners 18 months monitor the temperature.
sugar substitutes 2 years
Syrup, pancake 12 months 12 months
genuine or real maple 12 months 12 months In the Freezer
Tapioca 12 months 12 months • Even when the power is off, a full
Tea, bags 18 months 12 months freezer will stay frozen for about two
loose 2 years 6-12 months days; a half-full freezer about one day.
instant 3 years 6-12 months So keep the freezer door closed.
Toaster pastries, fruit filled 6 months Keep foil packets sealed • If you think power will be out for
non-fruit fillings 9 months several days, locate some block ice,
Tomatoes, sun dried,
packed in oil 12 months 6-12 months 3-6 months bags of ice or dry ice to put in the
packed in cellophane 9 months 6-12 months 3-6 months freezer along with your refrigerated
Vinegar 2 years 12 months perishable food, or keep the food con-
Yeast, dry, packets and jars Use by date Refrigerate open jars tinually iced in an insulated cooler.
Water, bottled 1-2 years 3 months • You can also pack foods tightly
Worcestershire Sauce 1 year 1 year together to insulate one another.
BAKERY ITEMS SHELF REFRIGERATOR FREEZER • All thawed raw or cooked foods can
be refrozen if they still contain ice
Bread, commercial* 2-4 days 7-14 days 3 months
Bread, flat (tortillas, pita) 2-4 days 4-7 days 4 months crystals or are 40ºF or below, but there
Cakes, angel food 1-2 days 1 week 2 months may be some quality loss.
chiffon, sponge 1-2 day 1 week 2 months • Foods thawed and held above 40ºF
chocolate 1-2 days 1 week 4 months for more than two hours should be dis-
fruit cake 1 month 6 months 12 months carded.
made from mix 3-4 days 1 week 4 months
pound cake 3-4 days 1 week 6 months Foods in the Refrigerator
(Refrigerate any cake
with frosting made of *Any breads containing meat, hard cooked eggs, custard filling or other • Refrigerated foods should be edible
perishable ingredients must be refrigerated within two hours. as long as power is out no more than
dairy products or eggs)
Cheesecake 1 week 2-3 months four hours.
Cookies, bakery or • Discard any perishable foods that
homemade 2-3 weeks 2 months 8-12 months have been above 40ºF for two hours
Croissants, butter 1 day 1 week 2 months or more, and any food that has an un-
Doughnuts, glazed or cake 1-2 days 1 week 1 month
usual odor, color, or texture, or feels
dairy cream filled 3-4 days
Eclairs, dairy cream filled 3-4 days warm to the touch.
Muffins 1-2 days 1 week 2 months • If you have any doubts about the
Pastries, danish 1-2 days 1 week 2 months safety of any item in your refrigerator
Pies, cream 3-4 days after power is restored, it’s best to err
chiffon 1-2 days on the side of caution and discard it.
fruit 1-2 days 1 week 8 months
mincemeat 2 hours 1 week 8 months For additional information about food safety
pecan 2 hours 3-4 days 1-2 months during power outages, call the toll-free USDA
pumpkin 2 hours 3-4 days 1-2 months Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555.
Quiche 2 hours 3-4 days 2 months
Rolls, yeast, baked 3-4 days 1 week 2 months
yeast, partially baked Package date 1 week 2 months
filled, meat or
vegetables 2 hours 3-4 days 2 months