The information on this page can be useful in ensuring the freshness and enjoyment of your dairy products.
Code Date on the Container
The Sell By date on the container means that the product should remain fresh up to that date when unopened and properly stored.
The proper temperature for a refrigerator is 33°F – 40°F.
Freezing Dairy Products
- Milk – Can be frozen for up to 30 days but you may detect some off flavors after thawing. Always thaw frozen milk in the refrigerator, never at room temperature!
- Cottage Cheese – When cottage cheese is frozen, ice crystals swell and break the curd structure resulting in a mushy, watery texture when thawed so it’s a good idea not to freeze it.
- Sour Cream – For most sour creams, freezing is not recommended because it will change the appearance and texture. The product becomes grainy, curdy and watery. Fat Free sour creams tend to be more freeze / thaw stable than lowfat or regular sour cream. But for best quality, we do not recommend freezing.
- Creams – Whipping cream will not whip up properly if it has been frozen so we advise you to avoid freezing it. If you accidentally freeze cream, thaw it in the refrigerator, never at room temperature!
- Eggnog – Yes, you can freeze eggnog for later use though you may detect some off flavors after thawing. Always thaw frozen product in the refrigerator, never at room temperature! You may want to keep a box of baking soda in your freezer to absorb food odors.
Product Shelf Life After the Expiration Date
Dairy products are very perishable. For best quality, you should use the product before the expiration or sell by date.
The product may be fine to use for a number of days beyond the “sell by” date only if it has been properly handled and stored after leaving the plant. The number of times the product has been opened and resealed and the amount of time left out of the refrigerator during each use impacts how long it will last.
Your sense of smell and taste are great indicators of how fresh the product is. If the product looks, smells and tastes OK, it is probably OK to consume.
Product Shelf Life After Opening
How long a dairy product lasts after opening depends on several things:
- How close to the sell by date the product was originally opened
- How many times it has been opened and resealed
- How long is it out of the refrigerator or freezer each time
- Was product consumed directly from the container
Your sense of smell and taste are great indicators of how fresh the product is. If the product looks, smells and tastes OK, it is probably OK to consume.
Traditionally pasteurized milk should remain fresh 5-7 days after opening, and ultra-pasteurized milk should remain fresh 12-15 days after opening. This is only true if the milk is treated properly and if no one sneaks a drink or two directly from the container! If you open your milk for the first time on or near the sell by date, the milk may not last the full 5-7 or 12-15 days.
Bacteria from your mouth may cause the product to spoil faster. For products such as milk, cottage cheese, sour cream, dips, yogurt and dressings, take the desired amount out of the container before consuming. Avoid eating out of a container if it is not a single serve.