Food Safety
Not sure if frozen chicken is safe to serve, or if that deli meat should be tossed? Foodsafety.gov and the USDA have got you covered. Check out this nifty cheat sheet to find out how long your food can chill out in the fridge.
|
Category |
Food |
Refrigerator (40 degrees F or below) |
Freezer (0 degrees or below) |
|
Luncheon meat |
Opened package or deli sliced |
3 to 5 days |
1 to 2 months |
|
|
Unopened package |
2 weeks |
1 to 2 months |
|
Bacon & Sausage |
Bacon |
7 days |
1 month |
|
|
Sausage, raw-from chicken, turkey, pork, beef |
1 to 2 days |
1 to 2 months |
|
Hamburger & Other ground meats |
Ground beef, turkey, veal, pork, lamb, & mixtures of them |
1 to 2 days |
3 to 4 months |
|
Fresh beef, veal, lamb & pork |
Steaks |
3 to 5 days |
6 to 12 months |
|
|
Chops |
3 to 5 days |
4 to 6 months |
|
|
Roasts |
3 to 5 days |
4 to 12 months |
|
Fresh Poultry |
Chicken or turkey, whole |
1 to 2 days |
1 year |
|
|
Chicken or turkey, pieces |
1 to 2 days |
9 months |
SOURCE: Foodsafety.gov & USDA
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