Quick Jump
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The ₹1,000 question: Is milk still safe on day 4? Can you eat curd after 10 days? Should you throw away that slightly soft tomato?
Stop guessing. Here's the science-backed truth for 30+ common Indian kitchen items.
🎯 Save This Guide
Bookmark this page or sign up for GrocTrack to get automatic expiry alerts for everything in your kitchen!
📌 How to Use This Guide
🏷️ The #1 Cheat Code: Date Labels
Important notes:
- All shelf lives assume proper storage (correct temperature, airtight containers)
- "Best before" dates = Quality drops, but food is often safe longer
- "Use by" dates = Stricter deadline, especially for dairy/meat
- When in doubt = Smell test + Visual inspection (explained below)
🥡 Airtight Containers = Longer Shelf Life
🥬 CATEGORY 1: Vegetables (Refrigerated)
Fresh Vegetables Shelf Life
10-12 days (fridge)
6 months (freezer)
💡 Pro Storage Hack
The Damp Towel Method: Leafy greens last 2x longer!
- Wash greens, shake off excess water
- Wrap in slightly damp paper towel
- Store in airtight container
- Change towel every 2 days
Result: 2-3 days → 5-7 days freshness!
🥛 CATEGORY 2: Dairy Products
Dairy Shelf Life
3 months (freezer)
3-4 weeks (opened)
Indefinite (fridge)
6 months (freezer)
💡 Milk Truth Bomb
The "Expired" milk is usually FINE!
That date on the packet? It's "best before" not "poisonous after."
Real test:
- ✅ Smells normal = SAFE (even 2-3 days past date)
- ❌ Sour smell = Use for curd or throw away
- ❌ Chunky texture = Definitely bad
Saved many families from wasting ₹100-200/month on "expired" milk!
🍛 CATEGORY 3: Cooked Food
Cooked Food Shelf Life (Refrigerated)
5 days (fridge)
2 months (freezer)
3 days (fridge)
⚠️ RICE WARNING
Cooked rice is the #1 cause of food poisoning in Indian homes!
Why? Bacillus cereus bacteria LOVES rice and multiplies fast.
RULE: Cook rice → Eat immediately OR refrigerate within 1 hour → Use within 2 days → Reheat to steaming hot
That 3-day-old rice? Not worth the ₹5,000 hospital bill!
🍛 Best for Curries & Leftovers: Glass Containers
🍚 CATEGORY 4: Staples & Dry Goods
Pantry Items Shelf Life
6 months (winter)
7 days (fridge)
3 months (freezer)
24 months (sealed)
💡 Bread Freezer Hack
Never let bread go stale again!
- Buy bread → Immediately freeze half the packet
- Take out slices as needed
- Toast directly from frozen (adds 30 seconds)
- Tastes EXACTLY like fresh!
Saves ₹200-300/month on wasted bread!
🧊 Freeze Extras (And Actually Use Them)
🥚 CATEGORY 5: Eggs & Protein
Eggs & Meat Shelf Life
6 months (freezer)
3 months (freezer)
4 months (freezer)
🥚 The Egg Float Test
Stop throwing away fresh eggs!
Test: Put egg in bowl of water
Sinks & lays flat = Super fresh (use for boiled eggs)
Stands upright = 2-3 weeks old (still good for cooking)
Floats = Old, throw away
Eggs last 3-5 WEEKS, not 1 week like most people think!
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🧪 The 3 Safety Tests (When in Doubt)
1. 👃 The Sniff Test
- ✅ Normal smell = Probably safe
- ❌ Sour, rotten, "off" smell = Throw away
- Works for: Milk, curd, vegetables, cooked food
- Doesn't work for: Eggs (bad eggs can smell normal from outside)
2. 👀 The Visual Test
- ❌ Mold (fuzzy spots) = Throw away ENTIRE item (mold roots go deep!)
- ❌ Slime on vegetables = Bacterial growth, throw away
- ❌ Discoloration (grey meat, brown vegetables) = Oxidation, past prime
- ⚠️ Brown spots on fruits = Often just bruising, cut and check inside
3. 🤔 The Common Sense Test
- Ask yourself: "Would I serve this to my child/elderly parent?"
- If answer is "maybe" = Throw it away
- Cost calculation: ₹20 food item vs ₹5,000 hospital bill = Easy choice!
- Remember: "Best before" dates are guidelines, not poison timers
💡 Storage Golden Rules
- Separate onions & potatoes - They spoil each other!
- Never refrigerate bread - Makes it stale faster. Counter or freezer only!
- Store ginger/garlic in freezer - Grate directly into cooking
- Use clear containers - See contents without opening
- Label everything - Date when opened/cooked
- FIFO method - First In, First Out (use oldest first)
📱 The Smart Solution
Remembering all these dates is impossible. That's why smart families use GrocTrack:
- ✅ Auto-calculate expiry dates - Just add item + purchase date
- ✅ Smart alerts - "Your milk expires in 2 days!"
- ✅ Visual dashboard - See what needs to be used first
- ✅ Custom categories - Organize by fridge/pantry/freezer
- ✅ Family sync - Everyone knows what's expiring
- ✅ 100% FREE forever - No credit card needed
Instead of memorizing this entire guide, just track once and get alerts forever!
💾 Save this guide! Bookmark this page or sign up for GrocTrack to get these shelf lives automatically calculated for your groceries.