How to Use the Food Eat-By Date Calculator
If your fridge has a sauce or dairy item you can't quite remember opening, this calculator can help. Pick the date you opened it and the food category, and it calculates the last day it's generally considered safe to eat under typical refrigerated storage, along with how many days you have left or how long it's been past that date.
Perishable, moisture-rich foods like milk, tofu, and hard-boiled eggs are best used within about 5-7 days of opening, while high-sugar, high-acid, or high-salt condiments like ketchup, mayonnaise, and jam can safely last for months in the refrigerator thanks to their natural preservative properties. This calculator's built-in categories, based on typical USDA refrigerator storage guidance, cover both ends of that range.
These numbers are general guidelines that assume consistent refrigeration the entire time, not a hard guarantee. If the item sat out at room temperature for a while, was handled with unwashed utensils, or simply smells, looks, or tastes off, trust your senses over the calculated date and throw it out.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. These dates are general guidance based on typical refrigerated storage, not a guarantee. If anything smells, looks, or tastes off, throw it out regardless of what the calculated date says.
These estimates assume consistent refrigeration after opening. Bacteria grow much faster at room temperature, so anything left out for an extended period can spoil well before the calculated date.