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Nutrition.gov
U.S. Department of Agriculture

Safe Food Storage

Follow these tips for safely storing food in the freezer, refrigerator, and pantry to prevent foodborne germs from growing and keep it fresh for longer.

  • FoodKeeper App

    The FoodKeeper app can help you use food while it's at peak quality and reduce waste.

    • USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Cornell University, Food Marketing Institute

  • Removing Odors from Refrigerators and Freezers

    Use this information to learn how to remove odors from units or how to safely discard an affected unit.

    • USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service

  • Freezing and Food Safety

    Learn about freezing foods with topics like food safety, product quality, and nutrient retention.

    • USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service

  • Leftovers and Food Safety

    Safe handling of leftovers is very important to reducing foodborne illness. Follow these recommendations for handling leftovers safely.

    • USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service

  • Shelf-Stable Food Safety

    View questions and answers about the safety of shelf-stable foods, including canned foods, dried foods, and flexible packaging.

    • USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service

  • Storage Times for the Refrigerator and Freezer

    Know how long food items should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.

    • Foodsafety.gov

  • USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning

    Can food safely with these complete guidelines.

    • USDA, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, National Center for Home Food Preservation

  • How to Cut Food Waste and Maintain Food Safety

    Trying to reduce food waste in your home? Apply these tips and strategies to decipher expiration labels and keep food fresh for longer.

    • HHS, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

  • Tips to Reduce Food Waste

    View tips for reducing food waste in the kitchen, at the grocery store, and when ordering from restaurants.

    • HHS, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

  • Food Storage for Consumers

    Find information on how to store your food safely. Also learn how to safely preserve fruits and veggies.

    • Kansas State University

  • How Long Does Home-Preserved Food Last?

    Preserving food is a great way to avoid wasting food when you have more fresh produce than you need right away. Just make sure you are able to use all your canned or frozen food within the recommended time.

    • Michigan State University Extension

  • Food Storage

    Find links to food storage charts, learn about how food spoils, solving odor problems in your refrigerator, and more.

    • University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension