How long does it keep?

Five rules that matter more than the chart

• The 2-hour rule Perishable food left out of the fridge for more than 2 hours should be thrown out. On a hot day — above 90°F — the limit drops to 1 hour.
• Freezer times are about quality, not safety Food kept frozen at 0°F stays safe. Past the times on this page it can dry out, pick up freezer burn, and lose taste and texture — it does not suddenly become dangerous on a set day.
• Your fridge has to really be at 40°F or below Every fridge time here assumes that. The dial setting does not prove it — an inexpensive appliance thermometer is the only way to know the real temperature.
• Smelling fine proves nothing The germs that make people sick usually do not change how food looks, smells, or tastes. A food can seem perfectly fine and still be unsafe.
• When in doubt, throw it out If you are not sure how long it has been in, or how long it sat out, do not taste it to check. Throw it out. No leftover is worth a trip to the hospital.

The full chart

Tap any row to load that food into the checker above.