Recommended Storage for Refrigerated and Frozen Foods
Recommended Storage for Refrigerated Foods
| Food | Maximum Storage Temp °F | Maximum Storage Period | ||
| Dairy Products | ||||
| Milk (fluid) | 40 | 3 days | ||
| Butter | 40 | 2 weeks in waxed cartons | ||
| Cheese (hard) | 40 | 6 months tightly covered | ||
| Cheese (soft) | 40 | 7 days in tightly covered containers | ||
| Ice Cream & Ices | 10 | 3 months in original covered containers | ||
| Eggs | 45 | 7 days | ||
| Fish | ||||
| Fresh | 36 | 2 days loosely wrapped | ||
| Shell Fish | 36 | 5 days in covered containers | ||
| Fruits | ||||
| Peaches, Plums, Berries | 50 | 7 days unwashed | ||
| Apples, Pears, Citrus | 50-70 | 2 weeks, original containers | ||
| Poultry | 36 | 7 days | ||
| Meat | ||||
| Ground | 38 | 2 days | ||
| Fresh Meat Cuts | 38 | 6 days | ||
| Liver & Variety Meats | 38 | 2 days | ||
| Cold Cuts (sliced) | 38 | 6 days | ||
| Cured Bacon | 38 | 1-4 weeks | ||
| Ham (tender cured) | 38 | 1-6 weeks | ||
| Ham (canned) | 38 | 6 weeks, original containers | ||
| Dried Beef | 38 | 6 weeks | ||
| Vegetables | ||||
| Leafy | 45 | 7 days | ||
| Potatoes, Onions, Root Vegetables | 50-70 | 7-30 days, dry in ventilated containers | ||
Recommended Storage for Frozen Foods
| Frozen Food | Maximum Storage Period at 0°F | |
| Eggs | 6-12 months | |
| Fruit | 8-12 months | |
| French-Fried Potatoes | 2-6 months | |
| Meats | ||
| Beef | 6-12 months | |
| Lam & Veal | 6-9 months | |
| Pork | 3-6 months | |
| Sausage & Ground Meat | 1-3 months | |
| Cooked Meat, not covered with gravy or other sauces | 1 month | |
| Meat Sandwiches | 1 month | |
| Poultry | ||
| Chicken | 6-12 months | |
| Turkey | 3-6 months | |
| Giblets | 3 months | |
| Cooked Poutry Meat | 1 month | |
| Cooked Poultry Dishes | 3-6 months | |