Cold Food Storage Chart (2024)

SaladEgg, chicken, ham, tuna, and macaroni salads3 to 4 daysDoes not freeze wellHot dogsOpened package1 week1 to 2 monthsUnopened package2 weeks1 to 2 monthsLuncheon meatOpened package or deli sliced3 to 5 days1 to 2 monthsUnopened package2 weeks1 to 2 monthsBacon and sausageBacon1 week1 monthSausage, raw, from chicken, turkey, pork, or beef1 to 2 days1 to 2 monthsSausage, fully cooked, from chicken, turkey, pork, or beef1 week1 to 2 monthsSausage, purchased frozenAfter cooking, 3-4 days1-2 months from date of purchaseHamburger, ground meats and ground poultryHamburger, ground beef, turkey, chicken, other poultry, veal, pork, lamb, and mixtures of them1 to 2 days3 to 4 monthsFresh beef, veal, lamb, and porkSteaks3 to 5 days4 to 12 monthsChops3 to 5 days4 to 12 monthsRoasts3 to 5 days4 to 12 monthsHamFresh, uncured, uncooked3 to 5 days6 monthsFresh, uncured, cooked3 to 4 days3 to 4 monthsCured, cook-before-eating, uncooked5 to 7 days or “use by” date3 to 4 monthsFully-cooked, vacuum-sealed at plant, unopened2 weeks or “use by” date1 to 2 monthsCooked, store-wrapped, whole1 week1 to 2 monthsCooked, store-wrapped, slices, half, or spiral cut3 to 5 days1 to 2 monthsCountry ham, cooked1 week1 monthCanned, labeled "Keep Refrigerated," unopened6 to 9 monthsDo not freeze

Canned, shelf-stable, opened

Note: An unopened, shelf-stable, canned ham can be stored at room temperature for 2 years.

3 to 4 days1 to 2 monthsProsciutto, Parma or Serrano ham, dry Italian or Spanish type, cut2 to 3 months1 monthFresh poultryChicken or turkey, whole1 to 2 days1 yearChicken or turkey, pieces1 to 2 days9 monthsFin FishFatty Fish (bluefish, catfish, mackerel, mullet, salmon, tuna, etc.)1 - 3 Days2 - 3 MonthsLean Fish (cod, flounder, haddock, halibut, sole, etc.)6 - 8 MonthsLean Fish (pollock, ocean perch, rockfish, sea trout.)4 - 8 MonthsShellfishFresh Crab Meat2 - 4 Days2 - 4 MonthsFresh Lobster2 - 4 Days2 - 4 MonthsLive Crab, Lobster1 day .Not recommendedLive Clams, Mussels, Oysters, and Scallops5 - 10 DaysNot recommendedShrimp, Crayfish3 - 5 Days6 - 18 MonthsShucked Clams, Mussels, Oysters, and Scallops3 - 10 Days3 - 4 MonthsSquid1 - 3 Days6 - 18 MonthsEggsRaw eggs in shell3 to 5 weeksDo not freeze in shell. Beat yolks and whites together, then freeze.Raw egg whites and yolks

Note: Yolks do not freeze well

2 to 4 days12 monthsRaw egg accidentally frozen in shell

Note: Toss any frozen eggs with a broken shell

Use immediately after thawingKeep frozen, then
refrigerate to thawHard-cooked eggs1 weekDo not freezeEgg substitutes, liquid, unopened1 weekDo not freezeEgg substitutes, liquid, opened3 daysDo not freezeEgg substitutes, frozen, unopenedAfter thawing, 1 week or refer to “use by” date12 monthsEgg substitutes, frozen, openedAfter thawing, 3 to 4 days or refer to “use by” dateDo not freezeCasseroles with eggsAfter baking, 3 to 4 daysAfter baking, 2 to 3 monthsEggnog, commercial3 to 5 days6 monthsEggnog, homemade2 to 4 daysDo not freezePies: Pumpkin or pecanAfter baking, 3 to 4 daysAfter baking, 1 to 2 monthsPies: Custard and chiffonAfter baking, 3 to 4 daysDo not freezeQuiche with fillingAfter baking, 3 to 5 daysAfter baking, 2 to 3 monthsSoups and stewsVegetable or meat added3 to 4 days2 to 3 monthsLeftoversCooked meat or poultry3 to 4 days2 to 6 monthsChicken nuggets or patties3 to 4 days1 to 3 monthsPizza3 to 4 days1 to 2 months
Cold Food Storage Chart (2024)

FAQs

What are the FDA guidelines for cold storage? ›

Keep the refrigerator temperature at or below 40° F (4° C). The freezer temperature should be 0° F (-18° C). Check temperatures periodically. Appliance thermometers are the best way of knowing these temperatures and are generally inexpensive.

What are the rules for storing cold food cold? ›

Storing Cold Food Safety Tips

The items stored in your cooler or refrigerator should be produce, dairy products, ready-to-eat foods, meats, condiments, etc. Keep your cooler at 35 – 38 degrees to keep foods at 41 degrees or below. Be aware to not overstock your cooler, as it may prevent air flow.

What are the guidelines for refrigerated food storage? ›

The temperature in a refrigerator should be 40 °F or below throughout the unit, so that any place is safe for storage of any food. Raw meat, poultry, and seafood should be in a sealed container or wrapped securely to prevent raw juices from contaminating other foods.

How long does food last in cold storage? ›

Cold Food Storage Chart
FoodTypeFreezer [0°F (-18°C) or below]
Soups and stewsVegetable or meat added2 to 3 months
LeftoversCooked meat or poultry2 to 6 months
Chicken nuggets or patties1 to 3 months
Pizza1 to 2 months
49 more rows
Sep 19, 2023

What should not be done when storing food in a refrigerator? ›

Don't
  1. overload or over-stock the refrigerator, as the cold air won't be able to circulate properly.
  2. store food on the floor.
  3. store food with items like chemicals, cleaning equipment, clothing and personal belongings.
  4. store food in toilets or airlocks.

What is the temperature limit for cold storage? ›

Cool: Store between 8°-15°C (45°-59°F). Room temperature: Store at 15°-25°C (59°-77°F). Ambient temperature: Store at the surrounding temperature. This term is not widely used due to significant variation in ambient temperatures.

What is the cold food rule? ›

Foods kept in cold holding must stay at or below 41°F at all times. Foods that fall into the “Danger Zone” must be thrown away. If the temperature of food falls into the “Danger Zone”, throw away the food. Germs grow quickly at these temperatures, making food unsafe to eat.

Can you keep raw ground beef in the fridge for 5 days? ›

A package of ground beef can stay in the fridge for up to two days from the date of purchase, as recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. By day two, it's best to either cook the ground beef or freeze it. Freezing ground beef is a great long-term solution, as it can last in the freezer for months.

How many hours can cold food be held? ›

It is permissible to hold cold food without temperature controls for up to four hours if the following conditions are met: Food must be held at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or less before the food is removed from the temperature control.

What are the CDC recommendations for food storage? ›

Never leave perishable food out for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if exposed to temperatures above 90°F). Keep your refrigerator at 40°F or below and your freezer at 0°F or below, and know when to throw food out before it spoils.

What is the most basic rule in food storage in the refrigerator? ›

Always store raw food in sealed or covered containers at the bottom of the fridge. Keep raw foods below cooked foods, to avoid liquid such as meat juices dripping down and contaminating the cooked food.

What is the two hour four hour rule for food storage? ›

Food held between 5oC and 60oC for less than 2 hours can be used, sold or put back in the refrigerator to use later. Food held between 5oC and 60oC for 2-4 hours can still be used or sold, but can't be put back in the fridge. Food held between 5oC and 60oC for 4 hours or more must be thrown away.

How long will a cool box keep food cold? ›

Cool Boxes (Passive Cool Boxes)

If you follow our advice above when using a cool box it can be effective for as much as 24-48hrs. That said it tends to be the larger versions that are able to provide 2 days of cooling.

Is 2 year old frozen chicken still good? ›

A raw whole chicken can be kept in your freezer for up to a year. Raw chicken parts can be kept in your freezer for up to nine months. Raw ground chicken or giblets can be kept in your freezer for three to four months.

How long can cold food be stored without temperature control? ›

You can keep hot or cold food without temperature control for up to four hours. You can keep cold food without temperature control for up to six hours, if you follow additional temperature- tracking procedures.

What are the FDA cooling requirements? ›

The two-stage cooling method is a Food and Drug Administration Food Code recommended procedure for cooling food in restaurants and foodservice establishments. In the two-stage cooling method, food must be cooled from 140 °F to 70 °F within two hours and to 41 °F or lower within four hours.

What are the standard operating procedures for cold storage? ›

Cold storage areas should have a minimum of one thermometer installed to monitor maintenance of temperatures between 32-40 degrees F (cooler) and -10-0 degrees F (freezer). Temperatures in cold storage areas should be recorded daily on the temperature record. 6. Previously frozen food items must not be refrozen.

What are the guidelines for dry and cold storage? ›

Refrigerator temperatures should be between 36 and 41ºF.
  • Freezer temperatures should be between -10 and 0ºF.
  • Storeroom (dry storage) temperatures should be between 50 and 70ºF.

What is the minimum space required for cold storage? ›

For cold storage businesses, it should be kept as close as possible to the producing farms or consumer centers. Approximately, one acre of land is required for a multi-storage or multi-commodity cold storage facility with a capacity of 5000 metric tonnes.

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