20
Food Storage Tips
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 and cream
Cream cheese, cheese
spread and cheese food
Cottage cheese
Sour cream
Hard cheese
(Swiss, Cheddar and Parmesan)
EGGS
Eggs in the shell
Leftover yolks or whites
FRUITS
Apples
Bananas
Pears, plums, avocados
Berries, cherries, apricots
Grapes
Citrus fruits
Pineapples, cut
REFRIGERATOR
1 month
1 week
1 to 2 weeks
3 to 5 days
10 days
1 to 2 months
3 weeks
2 to 4 days
1 month
2 to 4 days
3 to 4 days
2 to 3 days
3 to 5 days
1 to 2 weeks
2 to 3 days
FREEZER
6 to 9 months
Not recommended
Not recommended
Not recommended
Not recommended
4 to 6 months
May become
crumbly
Not recommended
9 to 12 months
8 months (cooked)
6 months
(whole/peeled)
Not recommended
6 months
1 month (whole)
Not recommended
6 to 12 months
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.
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° to 70° F (16° to 21° C).
Ripen at room temperature before
refrigerating. Bananas darken when
refrigerated.
Ripen at room temperature before
refrigerating. Avocados darken when
refrigerated.
Ripen at room temperature before
refrigerating.
Ripen at room temperature before
refrigerating.
May also store at 60° to 70° F (16° to
21° C). If refrigerated, store uncovered.
Will not ripen after purchase.
Use quickly.