Food Science

Food Expiry Guide

How long does food actually last — and how does storage method change that? This guide covers pantry, refrigerator, and freezer shelf life for common foods, based on USDA food safety guidelines. "Best by" dates are freshness estimates, not safety cutoffs.

Rule of thumb: When in doubt, throw it out. Harmful bacteria (Salmonella, Listeria) don't always change smell, color, or texture. Freezing stops bacterial growth entirely but doesn't kill bacteria already present.