How long does shelf-stable milk last?
Unopened, it keeps in the pantry for about 3 months. Once opened, it keeps in the fridge for about 4 days.
Product: Shelf-stable (UHT) milk.
Shelf life of shelf-stable milk at a glance
| Storage | Unopened | Opened |
|---|---|---|
| Pantry | 3 months | – |
| Fridge | – | 4 days |
Unopened shelf-stable (UHT) milk keeps several months without refrigeration. Regular pasteurized milk keeps only about 7 days in the fridge, and ultra-pasteurized milk sold refrigerated (often organic) about 20 days unopened. Once opened, any milk belongs in the fridge and should be used within a few days.
Does shelf-stable milk go bad?
Food past its date has not necessarily gone bad. The times on this page are guideline values for food stored properly. In the US, date labels are not required by federal law (infant formula is the exception), and most of them describe quality, not safety. A "Best if Used By" date is not an expiration date, and many products are still fine after it. A "Sell By" date is meant for the store, not for you. Look at the food and smell it before you taste a little. Mold, an off smell or a bulging can or lid means it goes in the trash. Take a "Use By" date on perishables such as meat, fish, deli meats and dairy seriously: eat or freeze them by that date.