DecodedGuides

How long do peaches, nectarines, plums, pears, sapote last?

In the fridge, peaches, nectarines, plums, pears, sapote keep for 3 to 5 days from purchase. In the pantry, they keep until ripe.

Pantry

Until ripe

Fridge

3 to 5 days

from purchase

After opening

No guideline

Do peaches, nectarines, plums, pears, sapote go bad?

Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, peaches, nectarines, plums, pears, sapote 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 peaches, nectarines, plums, pears, sapote have gone bad

General signs for produce: fresh fruits, the group USDA lists peaches, nectarines, plums, pears, sapote 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.