Expensive Dr. Blonz: My query is about bitter cream: What number of days after it’s opened can it’s used safely, assuming it’s stored refrigerated? — D.G., San Diego
Expensive D.G.: Your bitter cream ought to final about two weeks, assuming it has been frequently refrigerated and opened earlier than the “greatest by” freshness date stamped on the carton.
A number of components will affect how lengthy any container of chilly, perishable meals lasts. The variables begin at time of buy: Because the time away from refrigeration needs to be stored to a minimal, the purchasing journey to buy refrigerated or frozen meals needs to be the final cease earlier than returning house. As soon as there, meals needs to be unloaded and saved promptly. (Actually, the variables start even earlier, reminiscent of whether or not the product was frequently refrigerated throughout manufacturing and transportation to the shop. However such components are outdoors our management.)
When utilizing such meals, after a serving has been taken from the container, it needs to be resealed and returned to the fridge; the less the openings, the higher. The storage lifetime of the contents will lower if the container is allowed to sit down for any size of time at room temperature. And when serving, keep away from utilizing utensils which have already been used for different meals.
What we’ve got listed here are solely tips. Any unusual growths, pinkish colours, “off” flavors or odors are grounds for speedy disposal. For those who discover nice variability in your refrigerated items’ high quality and shelf life from a selected retailer, there could also be points with that retailer’s procedures or tools. See the informative web page from the U.S. Division of Agriculture on protected dealing with, which covers purchasing, storage, leftovers and refreezing: b.link/hf3zwe.
