Safe Use and Storage

Storage Times for Chicken

Since product dates aren't a guide for safe use of a product, how long can the
consumer store the food and still use it at top quality? Follow these tips:

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before the date expires.

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recommendations on product.

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package until using.

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original packaging, overwrap or re-wrap it according
to directions in the above section, "How to Handle Chicken class=GramE>Safely".

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style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Refrigerator Home Storage (at 40° F or below) of Chicken Products style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>
style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Product style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>	style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Refrigerator Storage Times
style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Fresh Chicken, Giblets or Ground Chicken	style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>1 to 2 days
style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Cooked Chicken, Leftover	style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>3 to 4 days
style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Chicken Broth or Gravy	style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>1 to 2 days
style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Cooked Chicken Casseroles, Dishes or Soup	style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>3 to 4 days
style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Cooked Chicken Pieces, covered with broth or gravy	style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>1 to 2 days
style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Cooked Chicken Nuggets, Patties	style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>1 to 2 days
style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Fried Chicken	style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>3 to 4 days
style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Take-Out Convenience Chicken (Rotisserie, Fried, etc.)	style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>3 to 4 days
style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Restaurant Chicken Leftovers, brought immediately home in a "Doggy Bag"	style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>3 to 4 days
style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Store-cooked Chicken Dinner including gravy	style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>1 to 2 days
style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Chicken Salad	style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>3 to 5 days
style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Deli-sliced Chicken Luncheon Meat	style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>3 to 5 days
style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Chicken Luncheon Meat, sealed in package	style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>2 weeks (but no longer than 1 week after a "sell-by" date)
style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Chicken Luncheon Meat, after opening	style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>3 to 5 days
style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Vacuum-packed Dinners, Commercial brand with USDA seal	style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Unopened 2 weeks Opened 3 to 4 days
style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Chicken Hotdogs, unopened	style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>2 weeks (but no longer than 1 week after a "sell-by" date)
style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Chicken Hotdogs, after opening	style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>7 days
style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Canned Chicken Products	style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>2 to 5 years in pantry