How long does yogurt last?
In the fridge, yogurt keeps for 1 to 2 weeks from the package date.
No guideline
1 to 2 weeks
from the package date
No guideline
Does yogurt go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, yogurt 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 yogurt has gone bad
- Any mould on yogurt means the whole container goes out. USDA lists yogurt with the high-moisture foods where mould spreads below the surface.
- An off odour or off flavour, or yeasty growth, is the usual sign a dairy product has spoiled.
- Yogurt kept past its date develops a stronger, sharper taste before it becomes unsafe. Clemson extension gives it 7 to 10 days past the sell-by date when kept at 40 F (4 C) or below.
Sources: Molds on Food: Are They Dangerous? (USDA FSIS); Safe Handling of Milk and Dairy Products (Clemson University Extension). 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.