About FDA
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How long can I keep my food in the refrigerator/on the shelf?
Joint recommendations from FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture on storing foods in the refrigerator are based on refrigerator temperatures of 40 degrees F or lower, and vary by type of food. For a listing of these recommendations for various food types, see the Refrigerator and Freezer Storage Chart.
Shelf-stable foods that do not need refrigeration in order to be safe can be kept at room temperature until their “use-by” date. For best quality, store them in clean, dry, cool (below 85 degrees F) cabinets away from the stove or appliance (such as refrigerator) exhaust.
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