Food Shelf Life Chart

Dairy

Milk, cheese, yogurt and other perishable dairy products stay fresh longest in the coldest part of the fridge.

Item	Refrigerator	Room temp.	Freezer
Whole Milk Keep at the back of the fridge - door temperature fluctuates. Can freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months.	7 days	6 hours	3 months
Yogurt Sealed yogurt often stays good 1–3 weeks past sell-by. Once opened, consume within a week.	14 days	7 hours	60 days
Hard Cheese Wrap in wax paper then plastic film. Hard cheeses freeze well - slice before freezing.	6 months	1 days	12 months
Butter Salted butter lasts longer than unsalted. Store away from strong-smelling foods.	3 months	7 days	12 months
Eggs Store in the original carton at the back of the fridge. Float test: fresh eggs sink, old eggs float.	35 days	14 days	12 months

Raw meat and fish spoil fast. Keep them below 4°C and use or freeze within 1–2 days.

Item	Refrigerator	Room temp.	Freezer
Raw Chicken Always refrigerate immediately. Cook to 74°C (165°F) internal temperature to ensure safety.	2 days	2 hours	9 months
Ground Beef Use or freeze within 1–2 days of purchase. Brown colour alone does not indicate spoilage - check smell.	2 days	2 hours	4 months
Fresh Salmon Fish is highly perishable. Buy fresh and cook within 1–2 days for best quality and safety.	2 days	2 hours	6 months

Wash produce only before eating - moisture speeds up mould. Store leafy greens dry and airtight.

Item	Refrigerator	Room temp.	Freezer
Fresh Berries Do not wash until ready to eat - moisture accelerates mould. Freeze on a tray then transfer to a bag.	5 days	1 days	12 months
Spinach Store dry and airtight. Line the container with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture.	7 days	12 hours	3 months
Apples Apples emit ethylene gas which ripens nearby produce. Store separately from other fruits.	60 days	14 days	8 months

Freezing keeps bread fresh far longer than the fridge, which makes it go stale faster.

Item	Refrigerator	Room temp.	Freezer
Sliced Bread Freezing extends shelf life significantly. Refrigeration prevents mould but can make bread stale faster.	14 days	5 days	3 months

Rice, pasta and canned goods keep for months to years in a cool, dry, airtight place.

Item	Refrigerator	Room temp.	Freezer
Dry Pasta Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Virtually unlimited shelf life if kept dry.	24 months	24 months	24 months
White Rice White rice keeps for years in a sealed container. Brown rice has natural oils so shorter shelf life.	24 months	5 years	5 years
Canned Goods Once opened, transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate. Discard dented or bulging cans immediately.	5 days	24 months	24 months
Honey Honey has an indefinite shelf life when sealed. Crystallisation is natural - gently warm to re-liquefy.	10 years	10 years	10 years

Once opened, most drinks should be refrigerated and consumed quickly for best quality.

Item	Refrigerator	Room temp.	Freezer
Orange Juice Freshly squeezed OJ: consume within 2–3 days. Pasteurised: 1–2 weeks after opening.	14 days	5 hours	12 months
Opened Wine Use a wine stopper and refrigerate - even red wine - after opening. Vacuum stoppers extend life further.	5 days	2 days	3 months

Store medicines below 25°C in their original packaging. Never use expired medication - consult a pharmacist.

Item	Refrigerator	Room temp.	Freezer
Paracetamol Store below 25°C in original packaging. Expired paracetamol may have reduced potency - consult a pharmacist.	24 months	24 months	24 months
Antibiotics Never use expired antibiotics. Always complete the full prescribed course. Do not save leftover medicines.	12 months	12 months	12 months
Eye Drops Preservative-free single-dose drops: use immediately after opening. Multi-dose: 28 days from first opening.	60 days	28 days	Not recommended

Check the PAO symbol (open jar icon + months) for how long cosmetics last after opening.

Item	Refrigerator	Room temp.	Freezer
Sunscreen Expired sunscreen may not provide adequate UV protection. Check the PAO symbol (open jar icon + months).	3 years	3 years	Not recommended
Moisturiser Natural or organic moisturisers expire faster - typically 6–12 months after opening. Watch for smell changes.	24 months	12 months	Not recommended
Lipstick Lipstick typically lasts 1–2 years. Discard if the texture changes or an unusual smell develops.	24 months	18 months	Not recommended