Sub-Zero Built-In Refrigeration Deli Foods, Dairy Products A N D Ot H E R Foods, Storage Life

FOOD STORAGE R E C O M M E N D AT I O N S

DELI FOODS, DAIRY PRODUCTS A N D OT H E R FOODS

	Recommended	Storage Life	Storage Life
	Temperature	(refrigerator)	(freezer)*	Comments
D E L I F O O D S
thinly sliced lunch meats	32–35˚F (0–2˚C)	1–2 days	NR	Check ”use by” or ”sell by” dates.
egg, chicken, tuna and ham salads	32–35˚F (0–2˚C)	3–5 days	NR	These foods do not freeze well. If you need
macaroni salads	32–35˚F (0–2˚C)	3–5 days	NR	to freeze, do so immediately, not after they
pre-stuffed chops, chicken breasts	32–35˚F (0–2˚C)	1 day	NR	have been held in the refrigerator.
store-prepared convenience meals	32–35˚F (0–2˚C)	1–2 days	NR
DA I RY F O O D S
butter	32–35˚F (0–2˚C)	3 months	1 year	Check ”sell by” dates.
cottage or ricotta cheese	32–35˚F (0–2˚C)	1–2 weeks	4 weeks
cream cheese	32–35˚F (0–2˚C)	2 weeks		Store cheese in original packaging until
natural cheese (cheddar, brick, etc.)	32–35˚F (0–2˚C)	3–6 months	6–8 months	ready to use. After opening, rewrap tightly
process cheese	32–35˚F (0–2˚C)	3–4 weeks	6–8 months	in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
grated Parmesan or Romano	32–35˚F (0–2˚C)	1 year
yogurt	32–35˚F (0–2˚C)	1 month		Thaw frozen cheese in the refrigerator to
whole, lowfat or skim milk	32–35˚F (0–2˚C)	1–2 weeks		reduce crumbling.
E G G S
fresh, in shell	32˚F (0˚C)	3 weeks	NR	Keep fresh eggs refrigerated.
hard cooked	32–35˚F (0–2˚C)	1 week	NR
liquid pasteurized or egg substitutes				Do not eat hard cooked eggs that have
opened	32–35˚F (0–2˚C)	3 days	NR	been at room temperature for more than
unopened	32–35˚F (0–2˚C)	10 days	1 year	2 hours.
COOKED MEAT & POULTRY LEFTOVERS
cooked meat and meat dishes	32–35˚F (0–2˚C)	3–4 days	2–3 months	Refrigerate or freeze leftovers in covered
gravy and meat broth	32–35˚F (0–2˚C)	1–2 days	2–3 months	shallow containers within 2 hours after
fried or plain chicken, pieces	32–35˚F (0–2˚C)	3–4 days	4 months	cooking. Reheat leftovers to 165˚F (74˚C).
cooked poultry dishes	32–35˚F (0–2˚C)	3–4 days	4–6 months
pieces covered with broth, gravy	32–35˚F (0–2˚C)	1–2 days	6 months
chicken nuggets, patties	32–35˚F (0–2˚C)	1–2 days	1–3 months
SOUPS & STEWS
vegetable	32–35˚F (0–2˚C)	3–4 days	2–3 months	Reheat to at least 165˚F (74˚C) before
meat added	32–35˚F (0–2˚C)	3–4 days	2–3 months	serving.

*Recommended freezer storage temperature is 0˚F (-18˚C). (NR) stands for not recommended for freezing.

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