How long do meat products last?
In the fridge, meat products keep for 3 to 4 days after opening. In the pantry, they keep for 5 years from the package date. Once opened, use it within 3 to 4 days.
5 years
from the package date
3 to 4 days
after opening
3 to 4 days
in the fridge unless noted
Do meat products go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, meat products 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 meat products have gone bad
General signs for meat: shelf stable foods, the group USDA lists meat products under.
- Bulging, dented or rusted cans, especially along the seam
- Jerky that has gone soft, sticky or visibly mouldy
- Hissing or spurting liquid when a can is opened
- Off, sour or rancid smell on opening
- Unusual colour change compared to a fresh package
More on meat: shelf stable foods. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
How long do other meat: shelf stable foods last?
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.