Some products you buy do not have an expiration date, such as fresh fruits or vegetables. And some products can be stored a little longer than indicated on the package, without harm to the body. Here are some guidelines for the shelf life of products.
Meat
In the refrigerator, meat can be stored for 5 days, in the freezer – up to one year. Meat that is thawed should be cooked immediately. Minced meat can be stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 2 days, and in the freezer for up to 4 months. Poultry fillets remain fresh in the refrigerator for 2 days and in the freezer for a whole year.
Seafood
The salmon steak will not disappear in the refrigerator for 2 days, the cod will stay in the freezer for up to 10 months. Smoked fish is fresh for 2 weeks on the refrigerator shelf and for 5 weeks in the freezer.
Eat oysters and shrimp within 5 days in the refrigerator or within 3 months in the freezer.
Cheese
Store soft cheese and medium hardness for 2 weeks, preferably in the original packaging. Parmesan won’t stay in the fridge for a whole year. Cheese with mold is alive, so it is advisable to eat it within a couple of days. But frozen such cheese is stored for no more than 2 months.
Fruit
Hard fruits such as citrus fruits, apples, pears are kept in the refrigerator without loss of quality for 2 to 4 weeks, melons and watermelons for a week. Most berries will be edible within 2-3 days, so don’t buy a lot of them. Frozen fruits are too watery after defrosting, but they can be stored for a long time.
Vegetables
The most short-lived are green shoots, corn, mushrooms – they will be fresh in just 2-3 days. Cucumbers and tomatoes can be left in the refrigerator for a week. Beets and carrots are stored the longest – 2-3 weeks.
Flour and sugar
With proper storage, flour and sugar can also be stored for a long time, for example, flour from six months to 8 months, and in the refrigerator for a year. You can store brown sugar calmly for 4 months, and white sugar for 2 years.
Soda and starch can be stored for a year and a half in a dark and not damp place.