How long does food last before it spoils?

Do you know how long you can keep food in the pantry, refrigerator, or freezer before it becomes harmful to your health? Although some foods can last a little longer or a little less, this is an average that can be very helpful. Regardless of this, we recommend always ensuring that the food is in good condition before cooking or eating it. Pay close attention and consider the conditions of the place you are in. Pantry Bread: To keep it fresh and crispy for five days, you should keep it sealed tightly in a special container or a very well-closed bag. The toaster is an excellent ally if it gets dry, although there is always the option of making bread crumbs with the rolls that are already as hard as stones. Boxed cereal: It is very unlikely that this food will stay fresh for so long, but you can eat cereals up to a year and a half after being stored on the shelves. Canned goods, grains, and jams: The most advisable thing is, besides checking the expiration date very well, to keep them for no more than one year in the pantry, as moisture or extreme conditions can alter the flavor or quality of these products. Pasta: Well sealed, it can stay in good condition for up to two years. We do not recommend leaving it there for that long, but if you have a forgotten package you can eat it without any problem. Refrigerator Fruits and vegetables: On average, vegetables can last two days in refrigeration. It is not recommended to leave them in the fridge for more time because they dehydrate and lose many of their vitamins, plus they will not be very fresh. Chicken (poultry): Try not to keep this food in the refrigerator for more than three days, as it spoils very quickly and you could get food poisoning. Red meat: This food lasts a little longer than poultry, it can stay up to five days at an appropriate temperature. It should always be kept in a well-closed container so it does not dehydrate or become tough. Leftovers: If you didn't finish your plate at the restaurant or there is some food left from yesterday, you can keep it in the refrigerator in a very well-closed container for up to four days. Be careful because this depends on the ingredients and how long it was outside the refrigerator. Cheese: On average, cheeses can stay from one to two weeks in the fridge. Don't trust those that have been inside for longer, check that they have not separated from the whey and that they do not have mold. Butter: The ideal complement for all dishes can last up to three months without spoiling. Always consider the expiration date and check that its texture is normal. Eggs: Surprisingly, if eggs are refrigerated on time, they can stay in good condition for up to five weeks. We recommend that before cooking them or incorporating them into the other ingredients, check each egg in a separate container, so if one is bad, you won't contaminate the rest. Freezer Fish: Frozen fish can last from two to six months. You should check its smell, which is usually very strong and unpleasant when it has gone bad and that the texture is firm. Under no circumstances should you eat it if you think it might be spoiled because it is a somewhat delicate meat. Ground meat: This meat stays good for three to four months. The less time it takes to freeze, the better the meat will retain its juices, so we recommend lowering the temperature when putting it to freeze. Meat fillets: They remain good for six months to a year inside the freezer.  A tip is to freeze each fillet separately, whether in containers or plastic bags so that you only defrost what is necessary and do not sacrifice all the meat. Whole poultry: They last up to a year. Try to eat it before so that the meat has better firmness and is juicier, although there is no problem if you freeze it for that long. Fruits and vegetables: If frozen when fresh, they can stay in good condition for up to a year. You can have them already chopped to save time when cooking. View original article