How long does sherbet, sorbet last?
No guideline
Not recommended
from purchase
No guideline
Does sherbet, sorbet go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, sherbet, sorbet 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 sherbet, sorbet has gone bad
General signs for food purchased frozen, the group USDA lists sherbet, sorbet under.
- Greyish-brown, dry patches on the surface (freezer burn)
- Heavy frost or ice crystals built up inside the package
- Package that feels soft or has clearly thawed and refrozen
- Off smell as soon as the food starts to thaw
- Freezer odour that has soaked into the food itself
More on food purchased frozen. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
How long do other food purchased frozen last?
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.