category-guide
Dairy: opened shelf-life guide
Dairy items tend to move quickly once opened. Use this guide to plan fridge use, compare examples, and click into the exact food page when you need a tighter answer.
Why this page exists
Dairy opened-food guide covering 42 editorially checked items, with UK and US storage windows, spoilage signs, and freezing advice.
UK examples in this group average around 36 days after opening.
US examples in this group average around 36 days after opening.
Cold storage, clean utensils, and re-sealing matter more than vague memory-based fridge guesses.
Trust and method
Review status
Generated from editorially checked item pages
How this page was built
Built from UK FSA guidance, US FDA/USDA guidance, pack wording patterns, and manufacturer expectations where labels are stricter.
Built to help compare Dairy before jumping into exact item pages.
Closest tracked examples on this page: Cow's Milk, Ricotta, Cream Cheese.
Related exact food pages
Dairy
Cow's Milk
Cow's milk is region-aware in the app, with 3 days in UK mode and 5 days in US mode after opening under refrigeration.
UK 3d | US 5d
Dairy
Ricotta
Ricotta keeps for about 7 days in UK mode and 7 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for ricotta. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 7d | US 7d
Dairy
Cream Cheese
Cream Cheese keeps for about 14 days in UK mode and 14 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for cream cheese. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 14d | US 14d
Dairy
Cottage Cheese
Cottage Cheese keeps for about 7 days in UK mode and 7 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for cottage cheese. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 7d | US 7d
Dairy
Yogurt
Yogurt has a reviewed planning window of 7 days in UK mode and 7 days in US mode after opening or preparation.
UK 7d | US 7d
Dairy
Ghee
Ghee keeps for about 365 days in UK mode and 365 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for ghee. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 365d | US 365d
Dairy
Margarine
Margarine keeps for about 180 days in UK mode and 180 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for margarine. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 180d | US 180d
Dairy
Almond Milk
Almond Milk keeps for about 7 days in UK mode and 7 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for almond milk. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 7d | US 7d
Dairy
Soy Milk
Soy Milk keeps for about 7 days in UK mode and 7 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for soy milk. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 7d | US 7d
Dairy
Buttermilk
Buttermilk keeps for about 7 days in UK mode and 7 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for buttermilk. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 7d | US 7d
Dairy
Cheese (hard, cheddar)
Cheese (hard, cheddar) keeps for about 21 days in UK mode and 21 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for cheese. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 21d | US 21d
Dairy
Cheese (parmesan; shredded or grated)
Cheese (parmesan; shredded or grated) keeps for about 360 days in UK mode and 360 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for cheese. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 360d | US 360d
Dairy
Cheese (shredded; cheddar, mozzarella)
Cheese (shredded; cheddar, mozzarella) keeps for about 30 days in UK mode and 30 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for cheese. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 30d | US 30d
Dairy
Cheese (processed slices)
Cheese (processed slices) keeps for about 21 days in UK mode and 21 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for cheese. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 21d | US 21d
Dairy
Cheese (soft, brie)
Cheese (soft, brie) keeps for about 7 days in UK mode and 7 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for cheese. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 7d | US 7d
Dairy
Coffee Creamer (liquid refrigerated)
Coffee Creamer (liquid refrigerated) keeps for about 21 days in UK mode and 21 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for coffee creamer. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 21d | US 21d
Dairy
Cream (whipping, ultrapasteurized)
Cream (whipping, ultrapasteurized) keeps for about 7 days in UK mode and 7 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for cream. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 7d | US 7d
Dairy
Cream (whipped, sweetened)
Cream (whipped, sweetened) keeps for about 1 day in UK mode and 1 day in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for cream. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 1d | US 1d
Dairy
Cream (half and half)
Cream (half and half) keeps for about 3 days in UK mode and 3 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for cream. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 3d | US 3d
Dairy
Cream (heavy)
Cream (heavy) keeps for about 10 days in UK mode and 10 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for cream. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 10d | US 10d
Dairy
Cream (light)
Cream (light) keeps for about 7 days in UK mode and 7 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for cream. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 7d | US 7d
Dairy
Dips (sour cream based)
Dips (sour cream based) keeps for about 14 days in UK mode and 14 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for dips. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 14d | US 14d
Dairy
Egg Substitutes (liquid)
Egg Substitutes (liquid) keeps for about 3 days in UK mode and 3 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for egg substitutes. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 3d | US 3d
Dairy
Eggnog (commercial)
Eggnog (commercial) keeps for about 3 days in UK mode and 3 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for eggnog. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 3d | US 3d
Dairy
Eggs (in shell)
Eggs (in shell) keeps for about 21 days in UK mode and 21 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for eggs. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 21d | US 21d
Dairy
Eggs (raw whites, yolks)
Eggs (raw whites, yolks) keeps for about 2 days in UK mode and 2 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for eggs. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 2d | US 2d
Dairy
Eggs (hard boiled cooked)
Eggs (hard boiled cooked) keeps for about 2 days in UK mode and 7 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for eggs. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 2d | US 7d
Dairy
Egg Dishes
Egg Dishes keeps for about 3 days in UK mode and 3 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for egg dishes. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 3d | US 3d
Dairy
Kefir (fermented milk)
Kefir (fermented milk) keeps for about 1 day in UK mode and 1 day in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for kefir. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 1d | US 1d
Dairy
Pudding
Pudding keeps for about 2 days in UK mode and 2 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for pudding. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 2d | US 2d
Dairy
Whipped Cream (aerosol can)
Whipped Cream (aerosol can) keeps for about 21 days in UK mode and 21 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for whipped cream. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 21d | US 21d
Dairy
Whipped Topping (aerosol can)
Whipped Topping (aerosol can) keeps for about 90 days in UK mode and 90 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for whipped topping. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 90d | US 90d
Dairy
Whipped Topping (tub)
Whipped Topping (tub) keeps for about 14 days in UK mode and 14 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for whipped topping. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 14d | US 14d
Dairy
Rice Milk
Rice Milk keeps for about 7 days in UK mode and 7 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for rice milk. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 7d | US 7d
Dairy
Coconut Milk
Coconut Milk keeps for about 7 days in UK mode and 7 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for coconut milk. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 7d | US 7d
Dairy
Nacho Cheese (store bought)
Nacho Cheese (store bought) keeps for about 14 days in UK mode and 14 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for nacho cheese. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 14d | US 14d
Dairy
Milk (lactose-free)
Milk (lactose-free) keeps for about 7 days in UK mode and 7 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for milk. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 7d | US 7d
Dairy
String Cheese
String Cheese keeps for about 150 days in UK mode and 150 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for string cheese. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 150d | US 150d
Dairy
Vegan Cheddar Cheese
Vegan Cheddar Cheese keeps for about 3 days in UK mode and 3 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for vegan cheddar cheese. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 3d | US 3d
Dairy
Quark (fresh cheese)
Quark (fresh cheese) keeps for about 7 days in UK mode and 7 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for quark. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 7d | US 7d
Dairy
Pimento Cheese (packaged)
Pimento Cheese (packaged) keeps for about 28 days in UK mode and 28 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for pimento cheese. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 28d | US 28d
Dairy
Cheese Curds (fresh, unaged)
Cheese Curds (fresh, unaged) keeps for about 14 days in UK mode and 14 days in US mode once opened or chilled, based on the USDA FoodKeeper record for cheese curds. Check the spoilage signs before eating.
UK 14d | US 14d
Keyword target
how long does opened dairy last
Use this guide when
- You know the general food group but not the exact product yet.
- You want a planning shortcut before clicking into a specific item page.
- You need a shareable landing page for social posts and outreach.
FAQ
How should I use this Dairy guide?
Start with the broad planning advice here, then click into a specific food page for an exact after-opening window.
Are all dairy foods the same after opening?
No. For example, Cow's Milk has its own storage window and spoilage signs, so always check the exact item page when possible.
What matters most after opening?
Keep the item cold, use clean utensils, reseal it fast, and watch real spoilage signs before eating.