How long do apples last?
In the fridge, apples keep for 4 to 6 weeks from the package date. In the pantry, they keep for 3 weeks from the package date.
3 weeks
from the package date
4 to 6 weeks
from the package date
No guideline
Do apples go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, apples may still be safe for a short while but quality drops and spoilage signs start. The date on the package is the maker's quality promise; the times here count from purchase unless marked "from the package date".
Two numbers to keep in mind: a fridge at 40 F (4 C) or below, and no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90 F / 32 C) for anything perishable.
How to tell apples have gone bad
General signs for produce: fresh fruits, the group USDA lists apples under.
- Soft, mushy spots that were firm a day or two before
- Visible mould, often fuzzy white, green or grey
- Leaking juice or a fermented, alcohol-like smell
- Wrinkled, shriveled skin on fruit that used to be firm
- Sour smell replacing a fruit's normal sweet scent
More on produce: fresh fruits. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
How long do other produce: fresh fruits last?
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.