How long does food last?
Knowing how long food keeps saves money and helps prevent food poisoning. This lookup shows typical storage times for the pantry (larder or cupboard), the refrigerator and the freezer, based on common food safety guidance. Open any food to see its details, spoilage signs and a use-by date worked out from the day you bought or opened it.
Understanding date labels
When quality is at its peak. Usually not a safety date.
About quality only. Food is often fine after it if stored well.
The last date the maker recommends for peak quality (except infant formula, where it is a safety date).
A safety date. Don't eat, cook or freeze the food after it, even if it looks and smells fine.
A date for store stock control, not for you. Most foods are good for days after it when stored properly.
The last day to freeze an item to keep its quality.
Food storage rules that matter
- Refrigerate perishable food within 2 hours, or within 1 hour if it's hotter than 90°F (32°C).
- Keep the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below. UK guidance is 5°C (41°F) or below. Keep the freezer at 0°F (-18°C).
- Store raw meat on the lowest shelf in a sealed container so juices can't drip onto other food.
- Thaw food in the fridge, in cold water or in the microwave, not on the counter.
- Reheat leftovers until steaming hot, to 165°F (74°C).
- Write the date on leftovers and frozen food.
Track what's in your fridge
Use the “My fridge” tab to keep a running list of what you have. Add each food with the date you bought, cooked or opened it. The tracker shows how many days are left, flags anything past its time or to use soon, lets you add a calendar reminder, and lets you remove items once they're used up.
Do drinks and liquor expire?
Soft drinks, juices and beer lose quality over months, and opened bottles go flat or stale within days. Unopened spirits such as vodka, whiskey, rum and gin keep their quality for years. Cream liqueurs, vermouth and wine need refrigeration once opened.
Frequently asked questions
How long can food stay out of the fridge?
Perishable food should not sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour when the air is above 90°F (32°C).
What temperature should my fridge and freezer be?
US guidance is 40°F (4°C) or below for the fridge. UK guidance is 5°C (41°F) or below, ideally 0–5°C. Freezers should be at 0°F (-18°C).
Does a best-by date mean the food is unsafe after that day?
Usually not. Best-by and best-before dates describe quality, not safety, for most foods. Check storage and spoilage signs.
Is a use-by date different in the UK and Europe?
Yes. In the UK and EU, a use-by date is a safety date: do not eat, cook or freeze the food after it, even if it looks and smells fine. Best before is about quality only.
Is frozen food safe forever?
Food kept at 0°F (-18°C) stays safe indefinitely, but quality drops over time, so the lookup shows the best-quality window.
Does liquor go bad?
Unopened spirits such as vodka, whiskey, rum and gin do not spoil. Cream liqueurs, vermouth and opened wine have much shorter times, shown on their pages.
Can I add my own foods?
Yes. Press Add your item, enter how many days it keeps in each place and it joins the list. Your items are saved in this browser.
Can I get a reminder before food expires?
Yes. In My fridge, press the calendar button on any item to download a calendar event for its use-by date, with an alert the day before. It works with Apple, Google and Outlook calendars.
These times are general guidance, not a guarantee. Always follow the package label, and when in doubt, throw it out.