How long does caviar last?
In the fridge, caviar keeps for 1 to 4 weeks from the package date. Once opened, use it within 2 days.
No guideline
1 to 4 weeks
from the package date
2 days
in the fridge unless noted
Does caviar go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, caviar 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 caviar has gone bad
General signs for seafood: fresh, the group USDA lists caviar under.
- Strong fishy, sour or ammonia-like smell
- Slimy film on the flesh instead of a moist sheen
- Dull, sunken eyes and grey gills on whole fish
- Flesh that stays dented when pressed instead of springing back
- Dry, browning edges on fillets left uncovered
More on seafood: fresh. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
How long do other seafood: fresh last?
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.