Shelf Life Tips
- How long does Italian salad dressing last once opened? The precise answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions - to maximize the shelf life of opened Italian salad dressing, keep it refrigerated and tightly covered.
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How long does opened Italian salad dressing last in the refrigerator? Italian salad dressing that has been continuously refrigerated will generally stay at best quality for about 6 to 9 months.
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Is opened Italian salad dressing safe to use after the expiration date on the package? Yes, provided it has been stored properly, the package is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage (see below) - commercially packaged Italian salad dressing will typically carry a Best By," "Best if Used By," Best Before, or "Best When Used By" date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturer's estimate of how long the Italian salad dressing will remain at peak quality.
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The storage time shown for opened Italian salad dressing is for best quality only - after that, the salad dressing's texture, color or flavor may change, but in most cases, it will still be safe to consume if it has been kept continuously refrigerated, the package is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage (see below).
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How can you tell if opened Italian salad dressing is bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the Italian salad dressing: if the salad dressing develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears, it should be discarded.
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Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here
