How long does milk last?
In the fridge, milk keeps until the date on the package. All 5 kinds are below.
No guideline
Use by the package date
No guideline
By kind
| Kind | Pantry | Fridge | After opening | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| plain or flavored | no guideline | Use by the package date | no guideline | 3 months |
| canned evaporated or condensed | 12 months | no guideline | 4 to 5 days | no guideline |
| lactose-free | no guideline | no guideline | 1 week | Not recommended |
| shelf-stable | 6 to 12 months | no guideline | 5 to 7 days | no guideline |
| ultra-pasteurized | no guideline | 1 to 3 months | 7 to 10 days | no guideline |
No guideline: USDA gives no time for that place, usually because the food is not stored that way.
Does milk go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, milk 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 milk has gone bad
- Spoiled milk has a sour odour, an off flavour and a curdled, lumpy consistency.
- These signs show up fastest when milk sits above 40 F (4 C), for example in the fridge door or on the counter. Keep it at or below 40 F and put it back straight after pouring.
- Clemson extension gives pasteurized milk 1 to 5 days beyond the sell-by date when it has been kept cold the whole time.
- Milk can carry harmful bacteria without smelling or looking wrong, so keep to time and temperature rather than the sniff test.
Sources: Safe Handling of Milk and Dairy Products (Clemson University Extension); Are You Storing Food Safely? (FDA). The times on this page are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
How long do other dairy products & eggs last?
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.