How long does food last? Fridge, freezer and cupboard

How to read these tables

Unopened: indicative time from purchase, for an unopened product kept in the place shown.
Once opened: how long the product keeps once started, even if the printed date is further away. When the storage place changes after opening (a tin that moves to the fridge, for example), the table says so.
Usual date: the type of date the pack normally carries. A use-by date is a safety limit, a best-before date a quality guarantee; the difference is explained in our guide Use-by and best-before dates explained. “No date” covers fresh food sold without a printed date, such as fruit and vegetables.

The label comes first

These times are cautious guidelines, compiled from public recommendations and rounded down: the method is explained in our methodology. They apply to sound food stored in good conditions. If the pack shows a date or an “once opened” instruction, that is what counts.

For these times to hold, your fridge should stay at 5 °C or below (4 °C is ideal), and your freezer at −18 °C. In the freezer, the times shown are mostly about quality: taste and texture decline over time, even if the food remains safe.

Meat & fish

Storage tips : Keep them in the coldest part of the fridge, in their original packaging, and respect the use-by date. If you won't eat them in time, freeze them before the date, never after.

Indicative storage times: Meat & fish
Food	Where	Unopened	Once opened	Usual date
Bacon	Fridge	7 days	3 days	Use by
Bacon bits	Fridge	7 days	3 days	Use by
Beef carpaccio	Fridge	2 days	1 day	Use by
Beef steak	Fridge	3 days	1 day	Use by
Black pudding	Fridge	5 days	2 days	Use by
Caviar	Fridge	2 months	3 days	Use by
Chicken	Fridge	2 days	1 day	Use by
Chicken cordon bleu	Fridge	3 days	1 day	Use by
Chipolata sausages	Fridge	3 days	2 days	Use by
Chorizo	Fridge	6 months	18 days	Best before
Cod fillet	Fridge	2 days	1 day	Use by
Confit duck gizzards	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	5 days	Best before
Cured ham	Fridge	30 days	3 days	Use by
Dry sausage	Cupboard	3 months	21 days	Best before
Duck breast	Fridge	3 days	1 day	Use by
Duck breast strips	Fridge	2 days	1 day	Use by
Foie gras	Fridge	21 days	3 days	Use by
Frankfurter sausages	Fridge	21 days	4 days	Best before
Fresh chicken nuggets	Fridge	3 days	1 day	Use by
Fresh fish	Fridge	2 days	1 day	Use by
Fresh tuna	Fridge	2 days	1 day	Use by
Ground beef	Fridge	2 days	1 day	Use by
Ham	Fridge	5 days	2 days	Use by
Lamb	Fridge	3 days	1 day	Use by
Meatballs	Fridge	4 days	2 days	Use by
Merguez	Fridge	3 days	2 days	Use by
Mussels	Fridge	2 days	1 day	Use by
Pâté	Fridge	21 days	3 days	Use by
Peeled shrimp	Fridge	2 days	1 day	Use by
Pork belly	Fridge	3 days	1 day	Use by
Pork chops	Fridge	3 days	1 day	Use by
Pork spider steak	Fridge	3 days	1 day	Use by
Ribs	Fridge	3 days	1 day	Use by
Rillettes	Fridge	21 days	4 days	Use by
Roast	Fridge	3 days	1 day	Use by
Salmon	Fridge	2 days	1 day	Use by
Sausages	Fridge	3 days	2 days	Use by
Shrimp	Fridge	2 days	1 day	Use by
Sliced chicken breast	Fridge	14 days	2 days	Use by
Smoked salmon	Fridge	21 days	3 days	Use by
Squid	Fridge	2 days	1 day	Use by
Surimi	Fridge	14 days	2 days	Use by
Toulouse sausage	Fridge	3 days	2 days	Use by
Turkey	Fridge	3 days	1 day	Use by
Veal	Fridge	3 days	1 day	Use by
White pudding	Fridge	5 days	2 days	Use by

Dairy

Storage tips : In the fridge, well sealed. Once opened, the date on the packaging no longer applies: the after-opening duration takes over. Unusual smell or appearance — throw it out.

Indicative storage times: Dairy
Food	Where	Unopened	Once opened	Usual date
Baby formula	Cupboard	1 year	21 days	Use by
Blue cheese	Fridge	30 days	10 days	Use by
Brie	Fridge	21 days	5 days	Use by
Butter	Fridge	30 days	21 days	Best before
Camembert	Fridge	21 days	5 days	Use by
Cheese	Fridge	21 days	7 days	Use by
Cheese portions	Fridge	30 days	7 days	Use by
Chocolate yogurt	Fridge	14 days	3 days	Use by
Dessert cream	Fridge	21 days	2 days	Use by
Feta	Fridge	2 months	5 days	Use by
Fromage blanc	Fridge	10 days	3 days	Use by
Fruit yogurt	Fridge	14 days	3 days	Use by
Goat cheese	Fridge	21 days	7 days	Use by
Grated cheese	Fridge	14 days	5 days	Use by
Hard cheese	Fridge	2 months	21 days	Use by
Kefir	Fridge	21 days	3 days	Use by
Liquid cream	Fridge	10 days	4 days	Use by
Mascarpone	Fridge	21 days	3 days	Use by
Milk	Fridge	7 days	3 days	Use by
Mozzarella	Fridge	10 days	2 days	Use by
Petit-suisse	Fridge	14 days	3 days	Use by
Plain yogurt	Fridge	14 days	3 days	Use by
Plant milk	Cupboard Fridge once opened	4 months	5 days	Use by
Rice pudding	Fridge	21 days	2 days	Use by
Ricotta	Fridge	14 days	3 days	Use by
Skyr	Fridge	21 days	5 days	Use by
Sour cream	Fridge	10 days	3 days	Use by
Spreadable cheese	Fridge	30 days	7 days	Use by
UHT milk	Cupboard Fridge once opened	4 months	3 days	Use by
Yogurt	Fridge	14 days	3 days	Use by

Eggs

Storage tips : Keep them in their box, pointed end down, at a stable temperature, unwashed — the shell protects them. An egg that floats in a glass of water is no longer good.

Indicative storage times: Eggs
Food	Where	Unopened	Once opened	Usual date
Eggs	Fridge	28 days	—	Best before
Hard-boiled eggs	Fridge	7 days	4 days	Best before

Ready meals

Storage tips : In the fridge, in the coldest part, and respect the use-by date. Once started, cover the rest and eat it soon; reheat thoroughly.

Indicative storage times: Ready meals
Food	Where	Unopened	Once opened	Usual date
Baby food jar	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	2 days	Best before
Bagged salad	Fridge	5 days	1 day	Use by
Buckwheat crepes	Fridge	7 days	3 days	Use by
Clafoutis	Fridge	3 days	2 days	No date (estimated)
Custard tart	Fridge	2 days	1 day	No date (estimated)
Fresh crepes	Fridge	7 days	3 days	Use by
Fresh pasta	Fridge	21 days	2 days	Use by
Fresh pizza	Fridge	3 days	1 day	Use by
Fresh pizza dough	Fridge	7 days	2 days	Use by
Fresh ravioli	Fridge	21 days	2 days	Use by
Fresh soup	Fridge	5 days	2 days	Use by
Galette des rois	Fridge	2 days	1 day	No date (estimated)
Gazpacho	Fridge	14 days	2 days	Use by
Gnocchi	Fridge	30 days	2 days	Use by
Grated carrots	Fridge	7 days	2 days	Use by
Guacamole	Fridge	14 days	2 days	Use by
Pastry	Fridge	2 days	1 day	No date (estimated)
Prepared salad	Fridge	3 days	1 day	Use by
Puff pastry	Fridge	21 days	2 days	Use by
Quiche	Fridge	4 days	2 days	Use by
Ready meal	Fridge	3 days	1 day	Use by
Sandwich	Fridge	2 days	1 day	Use by
Shortcrust pastry	Fridge	21 days	2 days	Use by
Sushi	Fridge	1 day	1 day	Use by
Sweet shortcrust pastry	Fridge	21 days	2 days	Use by
Tabbouleh	Fridge	7 days	2 days	Use by
Tofu	Fridge	30 days	3 days	Use by
Tzatziki	Fridge	14 days	3 days	Use by

Fruits

Storage tips : Many fruits keep ripening at room temperature: leave them out in the open, then move them to the fridge once ripe. Set aside any damaged fruit — it speeds up ripening in the rest.

Indicative storage times: Fruits
Food	Where	Unopened	Once opened	Usual date
Apple	Fridge	30 days	2 days	No date (estimated)
Apricot	Cupboard Fridge once opened	4 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Banana	Cupboard	7 days	—	No date (estimated)
Blackberry	Fridge	2 days	1 day	No date (estimated)
Blueberry	Fridge	10 days	5 days	No date (estimated)
Cherry	Fridge	5 days	2 days	No date (estimated)
Clementine	Cupboard Fridge once opened	10 days	5 days	No date (estimated)
Fig	Fridge	3 days	2 days	No date (estimated)
Grapefruit	Fridge	21 days	5 days	No date (estimated)
Grapes	Fridge	7 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Kiwi	Cupboard Fridge once opened	7 days	2 days	No date (estimated)
Lemon	Cupboard Fridge once opened	14 days	4 days	No date (estimated)
Lime	Cupboard Fridge once opened	10 days	4 days	No date (estimated)
Mango	Cupboard Fridge once opened	5 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Melon	Cupboard Fridge once opened	7 days	4 days	No date (estimated)
Nectarine	Cupboard Fridge once opened	5 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Orange	Cupboard Fridge once opened	14 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Passion fruit	Cupboard Fridge once opened	7 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Peach	Cupboard Fridge once opened	5 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Pear	Cupboard	7 days	—	No date (estimated)
Pineapple	Cupboard Fridge once opened	5 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Plum	Fridge	6 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Pomegranate	Fridge	21 days	5 days	No date (estimated)
Pomelo	Fridge	21 days	5 days	No date (estimated)
Raspberry	Fridge	2 days	1 day	No date (estimated)
Rhubarb	Fridge	7 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Strawberry	Fridge	3 days	2 days	No date (estimated)
Watermelon	Cupboard Fridge once opened	7 days	4 days	No date (estimated)

Vegetables

Storage tips : Leafy and delicate vegetables go in the fridge's crisper drawer; tubers, onions and whole squash stay dry, away from light. Once cut, everything goes in the fridge in a closed container.

Indicative storage times: Vegetables
Food	Where	Unopened	Once opened	Usual date
Artichoke	Fridge	7 days	2 days	No date (estimated)
Avocado	Cupboard Fridge once opened	7 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Baby spinach	Fridge	4 days	1 day	No date (estimated)
Basil	Fridge	4 days	2 days	No date (estimated)
Beetroot	Fridge	14 days	5 days	No date (estimated)
Bell pepper	Fridge	8 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Broccoli	Fridge	5 days	2 days	No date (estimated)
Butternut squash	Cupboard Fridge once opened	2 months	5 days	No date (estimated)
Carrot	Fridge	14 days	5 days	No date (estimated)
Cauliflower	Fridge	7 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Celery	Fridge	10 days	5 days	No date (estimated)
Cherry tomatoes	Cupboard Fridge once opened	7 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Chives	Fridge	5 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Cooked lentils	Fridge	21 days	5 days	Use by
Coriander	Fridge	5 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Cucumber	Fridge	7 days	2 days	No date (estimated)
Eggplant	Fridge	6 days	2 days	No date (estimated)
Endive	Fridge	5 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Fennel	Fridge	10 days	5 days	No date (estimated)
Fresh corn	Fridge	4 days	2 days	No date (estimated)
Fresh truffle	Fridge	7 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Garlic	Cupboard	2 months	—	No date (estimated)
Ginger	Fridge	21 days	7 days	No date (estimated)
Green beans	Fridge	4 days	2 days	No date (estimated)
Leek	Fridge	7 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Lettuce	Fridge	7 days	2 days	No date (estimated)
Mint	Fridge	5 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Mushroom	Fridge	5 days	2 days	No date (estimated)
Napa cabbage	Fridge	14 days	5 days	No date (estimated)
Onion	Cupboard Fridge once opened	30 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Parsley	Fridge	5 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Parsnip	Fridge	14 days	5 days	No date (estimated)
Potato	Cellar	2 months	—	No date (estimated)
Pumpkin	Cupboard Fridge once opened	30 days	5 days	No date (estimated)
Radish	Fridge	10 days	5 days	No date (estimated)
Red cabbage	Fridge	21 days	7 days	No date (estimated)
Red kuri squash	Cupboard Fridge once opened	2 months	5 days	No date (estimated)
Red onion	Cupboard Fridge once opened	30 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Shallot	Cellar Fridge once opened	2 months	3 days	No date (estimated)
Spaghetti squash	Cupboard Fridge once opened	2 months	5 days	No date (estimated)
Spinach	Fridge	4 days	2 days	No date (estimated)
Spring onion	Fridge	7 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Sweet potato	Cellar Fridge once opened	25 days	4 days	No date (estimated)
Tomato	Cupboard Fridge once opened	7 days	2 days	No date (estimated)
Turnip	Fridge	18 days	5 days	No date (estimated)
Yellow onion	Cupboard Fridge once opened	30 days	3 days	No date (estimated)
Zucchini	Fridge	6 days	2 days	No date (estimated)

Frozen

Storage tips : Keep the bag tightly closed to avoid frost and freezer burn. Never refreeze a thawed product, and thaw in the fridge rather than at room temperature.

Indicative storage times: Frozen
Food	Where	Unopened	Once opened	Usual date
Chicken nuggets	Freezer	9 months	6 months	Best before
Edamame	Freezer	1 year	6 months	Best before
Fish fingers	Freezer	6 months	3 months	Best before
Frozen fries	Freezer	10 months	6 months	Best before
Frozen fruit	Freezer	10 months	6 months	Best before
Frozen green beans	Freezer	10 months	6 months	Best before
Frozen mixed vegetables	Freezer	10 months	6 months	Best before
Frozen peas	Freezer	10 months	6 months	Best before
Frozen pizza	Freezer	9 months	6 months	Best before
Frozen spinach	Freezer	10 months	6 months	Best before
Ice cream	Freezer	10 months	3 months	Best before
Potato croquettes	Freezer	1 year	6 months	Best before

Canned goods

Storage tips : Before opening, in a dry cupboard. A bulging, rusty or leaking can should be thrown away unopened. Once opened, transfer the contents to an airtight container in the fridge, never leave it in the metal can.

Indicative storage times: Canned goods
Food	Where	Unopened	Once opened	Usual date
Canned chickpeas	Cupboard Fridge once opened	2 years	4 days	Best before
Canned chopped tomatoes	Cupboard Fridge once opened	2 years	4 days	Best before
Canned corn	Cupboard Fridge once opened	3 years	4 days	Best before
Canned green beans	Cupboard Fridge once opened	2 years	4 days	Best before
Canned kidney beans	Cupboard Fridge once opened	2 years	4 days	Best before
Canned lentils	Cupboard Fridge once opened	2 years	4 days	Best before
Canned mushrooms	Cupboard Fridge once opened	2 years	4 days	Best before
Canned peas	Cupboard Fridge once opened	2 years	3 days	Best before
Canned ready meal	Cupboard Fridge once opened	3 years	3 days	Best before
Carton soup	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	2 days	Best before
Coconut milk	Cupboard Fridge once opened	2 years	3 days	Best before
Fruit compote	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	3 days	Best before
Mixed vegetables	Cupboard Fridge once opened	3 years	3 days	Best before
Ravioli	Cupboard Fridge once opened	2 years	4 days	Best before
Sardines	Cupboard Fridge once opened	2 years	3 days	Best before
Tomato paste	Cupboard Fridge once opened	2 years	5 days	Best before
Tomato sauce	Cupboard Fridge once opened	2 years	3 days	Best before
Tuna	Cupboard Fridge once opened	2 years	3 days	Best before

Dry pantry staples

Storage tips : Store dry, away from light and heat, in an airtight container once the pack is opened. Check an old pack for pantry moths.

Indicative storage times: Dry pantry staples
Food	Where	Unopened	Once opened	Usual date
Almonds	Cupboard	1 year	2 months	Best before
Baking powder	Cupboard	18 months	6 months	Best before
Biscuits	Cupboard	9 months	21 days	Best before
Bread	Cupboard	2 days	1 day	No date (estimated)
Breadsticks	Cupboard	9 months	14 days	Best before
Breakfast cereal	Cupboard	1 year	2 months	Best before
Brioche	Cupboard	3 days	2 days	No date (estimated)
Brown rice	Cupboard	6 months	4 months	Best before
Bulgur	Cupboard	2 years	8 months	Best before
Burger buns	Cupboard	21 days	3 days	Best before
Cake	Cupboard	2 months	7 days	Best before
Cashew nuts	Cupboard	9 months	30 days	Best before
Cocoa powder	Cupboard	3 years	2 years	Best before
Crackers	Cupboard	9 months	14 days	Best before
Crisps	Cupboard	6 months	10 days	Best before
Croissant	Cupboard	2 days	1 day	No date (estimated)
Flour	Cupboard	1 year	3 months	Best before
Lentils	Cupboard	3 years	1 year	Best before
Milk bread roll	Cupboard	2 days	1 day	No date (estimated)
Pain au chocolat	Cupboard	2 days	1 day	No date (estimated)
Pasta	Cupboard	2 years	8 months	Best before
Peanuts	Cupboard	9 months	30 days	Best before
Pistachios	Cupboard	9 months	30 days	Best before
Pretzels	Cupboard	6 months	14 days	Best before
Quinoa	Cupboard	2 years	8 months	Best before
Rice	Cupboard	2 years	8 months	Best before
Rolled oats	Cupboard	1 year	6 months	Best before
Sandwich bread	Cupboard	10 days	5 days	Best before
Semolina	Cupboard	2 years	8 months	Best before
Snack mix	Cupboard	6 months	14 days	Best before
Sugar	Cupboard	3 years	2 years	Varies
Tortillas	Cupboard	2 months	5 days	Best before
White rice	Cupboard	2 years	8 months	Best before

Condiments

Storage tips : Before opening, at room temperature. Once opened, most go in the fridge; always use a clean utensil to avoid contaminating the jar.

Indicative storage times: Condiments
Food	Where	Unopened	Once opened	Usual date
Andalouse sauce	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	30 days	Best before
Barbecue sauce	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	3 months	Best before
Béarnaise sauce	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	30 days	Best before
Bolognese sauce	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	3 days	Best before
Cheese sauce	Cupboard Fridge once opened	9 months	3 days	Best before
Chocolate bar	Cupboard	18 months	1 year	Best before
Chocolate spread	Cupboard	1 year	6 months	Best before
Cocktail sauce	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	30 days	Best before
Coconut oil	Cupboard	2 years	15 months	Best before
Curry sauce	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	3 days	Best before
Gherkins	Cupboard Fridge once opened	2 years	3 months	Best before
Ground spices	Cupboard	2 years	1 year	Best before
Harissa	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	2 months	Best before
Honey	Cupboard	5 years	3 years	Varies
Hummus	Fridge	7 days	3 days	Use by
Jam	Cupboard Fridge once opened	2 years	21 days	Best before
Ketchup	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	2 months	Best before
Mayonnaise	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	2 months	Best before
Mustard	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	6 months	Best before
Olive oil	Cupboard	2 years	6 months	Best before
Olives	Cupboard Fridge once opened	2 years	14 days	Best before
Peanut butter	Cupboard	1 year	3 months	Best before
Pepper sauce	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	3 days	Best before
Pesto	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	5 days	Best before
Rapeseed oil	Cupboard	2 years	9 months	Best before
Samurai sauce	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	30 days	Best before
Soy sauce	Cupboard Fridge once opened	2 years	1 year	Best before
Sunflower oil	Cupboard	2 years	9 months	Best before
Tartar sauce	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	30 days	Best before
Vinaigrette	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	30 days	Best before
Vinegar	Cupboard	5 years	2 years	Varies

Beverages

Storage tips : Unopened, away from light and heat. Once opened, in the fridge, tightly resealed: an opened bottle loses its bubbles and oxidises.

Indicative storage times: Beverages
Food	Where	Unopened	Once opened	Usual date
Apple juice	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	5 days	Best before
Apricot or peach nectar	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	5 days	Best before
Beer	Cupboard Fridge once opened	9 months	2 days	Best before
Champagne	Cellar Fridge once opened	3 years	2 days	Varies
Cider	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	3 days	Best before
Coffee	Cupboard	1 year	30 days	Best before
Coffee beans	Cupboard	21 months	30 days	Best before
Fresh fruit juice	Fridge	21 days	5 days	Use by
Fresh smoothie	Fridge	5 days	1 day	Use by
Fruit juice	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	5 days	Best before
Grape juice	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	5 days	Best before
Grapefruit juice	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	5 days	Best before
Ground coffee	Cupboard	18 months	15 days	Best before
Herbal tea	Cupboard	2 years	6 months	Best before
Lemon juice	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	5 days	Best before
Lemonade	Cupboard Fridge once opened	9 months	4 days	Best before
Multifruit juice	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	5 days	Best before
Orange juice	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	5 days	Best before
Pineapple juice	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	5 days	Best before
Soda	Cupboard Fridge once opened	9 months	3 days	Best before
Sparkling water	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	3 days	Best before
Tea	Cupboard	2 years	6 months	Best before
Tomato juice	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	5 days	Best before
Water	Cupboard Fridge once opened	1 year	3 days	Varies
Wine	Cupboard Fridge once opened	5 years	3 days	Varies

What this guide does not cover

This guide covers food and drinks. For medicines, only the printed expiry date and the patient leaflet count; if in doubt, ask your pharmacist. Food that looks, smells or tastes unusual should be thrown away, whatever its date.

In Pistash, these times are used to suggest a date when a product has none, and a new date when you open it: you can always change them on the product page.