How long does yogurt last?

How to tell yogurt has gone bad

• Any mould on yogurt means the whole container goes out. USDA lists yogurt with the high-moisture foods where mould spreads below the surface.
• An off odour or off flavour, or yeasty growth, is the usual sign a dairy product has spoiled.
• Yogurt kept past its date develops a stronger, sharper taste before it becomes unsafe. Clemson extension gives it 7 to 10 days past the sell-by date when kept at 40 F (4 C) or below.

Sources: Molds on Food: Are They Dangerous? (USDA FSIS); Safe Handling of Milk and Dairy Products (Clemson University Extension). The times on this page are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.

Storage habits that make the difference

Keep dairy and eggs in the coldest part of the fridge, not the door, at 40 F (4 C) or below. Store eggs in their original carton to protect them and track the date. Reseal cheese tightly in wax paper or a container, and keep milk capped between pours.