19
FRESH FRUITS
Recommended
Temperature
Storage Life
(refrigerator)
Comments
F R E S H F R U I T S
apples* (macintosh,
grimes golden,
yellow newtown)
apples
apricots
asian pears
avocados*
blackberries
blood oranges
blueberries
cantaloupe*
1–4˚C
-1˚C
1˚C
1˚C
4˚C
1˚C
4–7˚C
1˚C
2–5˚C
1–2 months
3–6 months
1–2 weeks
5–6 months
2–4 weeks
2–3 days
3–8 weeks
10–18 days
2–3 weeks
Wash and dry most fruits, and store in the crisper compart-
ment. (Do not wash berries and cherries until you are ready to
use them, however.)
Most fruits should be stored in lower humidity.
cassavas
cherries, sweet
clementines
cranberries*
figs, fresh
grapes
guavas*
honeydew
1˚C
1˚C
4˚C
2–4˚C
1˚C
1˚C
4–7˚C
7˚C
1–2 months
2–3 weeks
2–4 weeks
2–4 months
7–10 days
2–3 weeks
2–3 weeks
3–4 weeks
Fully ripe fruits should be stored in the refrigerator at recom-
mended temperatures to slow down the ripening process.
To hasten the ripening process, you can place unripe fruit in a
paper bag that has holes poked in it. Close the bag and set it
on a counter. The fruit will produce ethylene, a gas that initi-
ates the ripening process. Check the bag each day.
kiwifruit
kumquats
lychees
nectarines
oranges*
papayas*
peaches
pears
1˚C
4˚C
2˚C
1˚C
1–7˚C
7˚C
1˚C
1˚C
4–6 weeks
2–4 weeks
3–5 weeks
2–4 weeks
3–8 weeks
1–3 weeks
2–4 weeks
2–3 weeks
Discard any fresh fruits that are moldy or have other signs of
spoilage and wipe out the refrigerator compartment.
Refer to the list of ethylene sensitive and ethylene producing
vegetables and fruits.
persimmons
pineapple*
plums and prunes
pomegranates*
quinces
raspberries
rhubarb
strawberries
1˚C
7˚C
1˚C
4˚C
1˚C
1˚C
1˚C
1˚C
3–4 months
2–4 weeks
2–5 weeks
2–3 months
2–3 months
3–6 days
2–3 weeks
7–10 days
tangerines
watermelon*
4˚C
7˚C
2–4 weeks
2–3 weeks
*Sensitive to chill injury, a cause of spoilage. Damage may not be apparent until the fruit is returned to a warmer temperature.
NOTE: See food preservation guide for complete instructions on freezing fruits. Recommended freezer storage temperature is -18˚C.
DELI FOODS, DAIRY PRODUCTS AND OTHER FOODS
Recommended
Temperature
Storage Life
(refrigerator)
Storage Life
(freezer)*
Comments
D E L I F O O D S
thinly sliced lunch meats
egg, chicken, tuna and ham salads
macaroni salads
pre-stuffed chops, chicken breasts
store-prepared convenience meals
1–2˚C
1–2˚C
1–2˚C
1–2˚C
1–2˚C
1–2 days
3–5 days
3–5 days
1 day
1–2 days
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
Check ”use by” or ”sell by” dates. These
foods do not freeze well. If you need to
freeze, do so immediately, not after they
have been held in the refrigerator.
DA I RY F O O D S
butter
cottage or ricotta cheese
cream cheese
natural cheese (cheddar, brick, etc.)
process cheese
grated Parmesan or Romano
yogurt
whole, lowfat or skim milk
1–2˚C
1–2˚C
1–2˚C
1–2˚C
1–2˚C
1–2˚C
1–2˚C
1–2˚C
3 months
1–2 weeks
2 weeks
3–6 months
3–4 weeks
1 year
1 month
1–2 weeks
1 year
4 weeks
6–8 months
6–8 months
Check ”sell by” dates.
Store cheese in original packaging until
ready to use. After opening, rewrap tightly
in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Thaw frozen cheese in the refrigerator to
reduce crumbling.
E G G S
fresh, in shell
hard cooked
liquid pasteurized or egg substitutes
opened
unopened
1˚C
1–2˚C
1–2˚C
1–2˚C
3 weeks
1 week
3 days
10 days
NR
NR
NR
1 year
Keep fresh eggs refrigerated.
Do not eat hard cooked eggs that have
been at room temperature for more than
2 hours.
C O O K E D M E AT & P O U LT RY L E F TO V E R S
cooked meat and meat dishes
gravy and meat broth
fried or plain chicken, pieces
cooked poultry dishes
pieces covered with broth, gravy
chicken nuggets, patties
1–2˚C
1–2˚C
1–2˚C
1–2˚C
1–2˚C
1–2˚C
3–4 days
1–2 days
3–4 days
3–4 days
1–2 days
1–2 days
2–3 months
2–3 months
4 months
4–6 months
6 months
1–3 months
Refrigerate or freeze leftovers in covered
shallow containers within 2 hours after
cooking. Reheat leftovers to 74˚C.
S O U P S & S T E W S
vegetable
meat added
1–2˚C
1–2˚C
3–4 days
3–4 days
2–3 months
2–3 months
Reheat to at least 74˚C before serving.
*Recommended freezer storage temperature is -18˚C. (NR) stands for not recommended for freezing.
FOOD STORAGE RECOMMENDATIONS
