How Long Do Foods Last?

Everything from cooked foods, to dehydrated long-term storage, learn how long foods last. Stop throwing away perfectly good food and better understand the length of time on average you can keep your favorite foods in the fridge or in their storage containers.

Dry Goods

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Dairy, Meat & Seafood

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Our Favorite Storage Containers to Keep Foods Longer

Advertisement

[affiai asin=”B0B8VMHZZ4″]

[affiai asin=”B09LS8FSM4″]

[affiai asin=”B0BX69792H”]

[affiai asin=”B00JXLOOTA”]

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Best buy date closeup on package of food - how long does it last when it says best by

If you see “best by” on the package, do not automatically assume thr product has gone bad or you should throw it away. This is the manufacturer suggested date for best freshness or quality. The product may still be perfectly safe for a lot longer.

What does “best by date” mean?

The “best by” date on a product label indicates the date the product is expected to retain its optimal taste, quality, and performance, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. It is not a safety date, but rather a guideline for when the product is likely at its best.

Safety dates are different.

A safety date on a product label, such as “use by” or “expires on,” indicates the date until which the product is deemed safe to consume. After this date, the quality and safety of the product may diminish, and it may become unsafe to eat. These dates are commonly found on perishable items like dairy, meat, and seafood. 

That means, if the product says “best by” you can assume the product may be consumed after the date printed. It may just not taste as fresh or good as intended.

Many dry goods last indefinitely but may not be the absolute best.