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Reviewed 6/21/2023
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<h2>Cold storage safety</h2>

Find out how long you can safely store foods in the refrigerator and freezer.

EGGS

IN THE REFRIGERATOR, fresh eggs, still in the shell, can be stored for 3 to 5 weeks. Raw yolks and whites can be stored for 2 to 4 days. Hard-cooked eggs can be stored for 1 week.

DO NOT FREEZE FRESH EGGS IN THE SHELL OR HARD-COOKED EGGS. Raw yolks and whites can be frozen for 12 months.



MILK

IN THE REFRIGERATOR, milk can be stored for 1 week.

IN THE FREEZER, milk can be stored for 3 months.


MAYONNAISE (COMMERCIAL)

IN THE REFRIGERATOR, mayonnaise can be stored for 2 months.

DO NOT FREEZE MAYONNAISE.



YOGURT

IN THE REFRIGERATOR, yogurt can be stored for 1 to 2 weeks.

IN THE FREEZER, yogurt can be stored for 1 to 2 months.



MARGARINE

IN THE REFRIGERATOR, margarine can be stored for 6 months.

IN THE FREEZER, margarine can be stored for 12 months.



BUTTER

IN THE REFRIGERATOR, butter can be stored for 1 to 2 months.

IN THE FREEZER, butter can be stored for 6 to 9 months.



SOUPS AND STEWS

IN THE REFRIGERATOR, soups and stews can be stored for 3 to 4 days.

IN THE FREEZER, soups and stews can be stored for 2 to 3 months.



GROUND MEATS (BEEF, TURKEY AND LAMB)

IN THE REFRIGERATOR, ground meats can be stored for 1 to 2 days.

IN THE FREEZER, ground meats can be stored for 3 to 4 months.



MEAT LEFTOVERS (COOKED MEATS AND MEAT CASSEROLES)

IN THE REFRIGERATOR, meat leftovers can be stored for 3 to 4 days.

IN THE FREEZER, meat leftovers can be stored for 2 to 3 months.



FRESH MEATS (BEEF, VEAL OR LAMB)

IN THE REFRIGERATOR, steaks, chops and roasts can be stored for 3 to 5 days.

IN THE FREEZER, steaks can be stored for 6 to 12 months. Chops can be stored for 4 to 6 months. Roasts can be stored for 4 to 12 months.



LUNCH MEATS

IN THE REFRIGERATOR, opened packages can be stored for 3 to 5 days. Unopened packages can be stored for 2 weeks.

IN THE FREEZER, opened packages can be stored for 1 to 2 months. Unopened packages can be stored for 1 to 2 months.



POULTRY

IN THE REFRIGERATOR, fresh, whole poultry can be stored 1 to 2 days. Fresh pieces of poultry can be stored for 1 to 2 days. Cooked poultry can be stored 3 to 4 days.

IN THE FREEZER, fresh, whole poultry can be stored 12 months. Fresh pieces of poultry can be stored 9 months. Cooked poultry can be stored 4 to 6 months.



FISH

IN THE REFRIGERATOR, fresh, lean fish (like cod) can be stored 1 to 2 days. Fresh, fatty fish (like salmon) can be stored 1 to 2 days. Cooked fish can be stored 3 to 4 days.

IN THE FREEZER, fresh, lean fish can be stored 6 months. Fresh, fatty fish can be stored 2 to 3 months. Cooked fish can be stored 4 to 6 months.



LEARN MORE ABOUT FOOD SAFETY

Visit the <a href="[BASEDOMAIN]/healthinfo/Topic.aspx?TopicID=9a9928a3-8a7a-4507-82f3-23f83ba00f71">Food Safety</a>&nbsp;topic center




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Sources
<ul>
 <li>EatRight.org. "Refrigerate - The Basics."&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eatright.org/food/home-food-safety/safe-food-storage/refrigerate---the-basics" target="_blank">https://www.eatright.org/food/home-food-safety/safe-food-storage/refrigerate---the-basics</a>.</li>
 <li>Food and Drug Administration. "How to Cut Food Waste and Maintain Safety." <a href="https://www.fda.gov/media/101389/download" target="_blank">https://www.fda.gov/media/101389/download</a>.</li>
 <li>Food and Drug Administration. "What You Need to Know About Food Borne Illnesses." <a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/what-you-need-know-about-foodborne-illnesses" target="_blank">https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/what-you-need-know-about-foodborne-illnesses</a>.</li>
 <li>FoodSafety.gov. "Cold Food Storage Chart." <a href="https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/cold-food-storage-charts" target="_blank">https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/cold-food-storage-charts</a>.</li>
 <li>FoodSafety.gov "FoodKeeper App: Margarine." <a href="https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep-food-safe/foodkeeper-app" target="_blank">https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep-food-safe/foodkeeper-app</a>.</li>
</ul>

Cold storage safety

Find out how long you can safely store foods in the refrigerator and freezer.