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Safe Food Storage Times and Temperatures
 
  
DAIRY STORAGE GUIDELINES
Milk, Cream, and Cheese
How to Store
YOU CAN KEEP IT APPROXIMATELY THIS LONG
 
   
On Refrigerator shelves 35-40°F (2-4°C)
In Freezer 0°F (-18°C) stored in MVP* materials
Pasteurized Fresh Whole or Skimmed Milk, Sweet Cream, Flavored Milk Drinks
Refrigerate immediately in original container. Keep container closed.
10-14 days from sell by date on carton.
Do not freeze. (Change of texture, body appearance. Separation of fat emulsion.)
Sweetened & condensed milk (opened)
Keep covered.
1 week
Do not freeze.
Whipped topping
Keep covered.
Aerosol can - 3 months. Prepared from mix - 3 days. Bought frozen - 2 weeks (once thawed)
Do not freeze.
Yogurt
Keep covered.
7-10 days
Do not freeze.
Sour Cream, Butter, Milk, Cultured Milk
Refrigerate immediately in original container. Keep container closed.
2 weeks
Butter made from pasteurized cream - 3 to 4 months. Do not freeze others.
Soft custards, Milk Puddings, Cream and Custard Fillings for Cakes and Pies
Cool cooked dishes quickly and refrigerate within 2 hours. Refrigerate cold dishes immediately after preparation.
5-6 days
Do not freeze.
Ice Cream
Store in original container in freezer or transfer to a MVP container.
Do not store here.
2-3 weeks
Natural Hard Cheese and Semi-Hard Cheese and Processed (Cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan, Brick, Bleu, etc.)
Refrigerate in original package and over wrap tightly in aluminum foil, plastic wrap or plastic bag tightly closed to avoid drying.
1 month. Mold on the outside of a cheese block may be trimmed off.
Freezing affects texture**. Still suitable for cooking. Thaw in refrigerator. Do not freeze soft cheeses.
Soft Cheese (cream, cottage, limburger**,camembert**)
Refrigerate tightly covered.
1 week
Do not freeze (Can freeze cream cheese***. Texture may change.)
Cheese Spreads
Refrigerate tightly covered.
1 month
Do not freeze.
Evaporated Milk (opened)
Refrigerate tightly covered.
1 week
Do not freeze.
Homogenized, reconstituted dry nonfat and skimmed
Keep containers tightly closed. Don't return unused milk to original containers.
1 week
Do not freeze.
* MVP - moisture and vapor-proof paper.
** Makes it crumbly. 
*** If not completely ripe, they need to be stored longer.

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