Practical guides

🐟 How long does fresh fish last?

Q: How long does fresh fish last?

In the fridge: within 24 hours. In the freezer: 3–6 months. Cooked, in the fridge: 2–3 days. These are general guidelines and don't replace what's written on the pack: if the label says something different, follow the label. "Use by" is a real expiry date; "best before" is about quality. If in doubt, don't eat it.

Guideline times for a product stored properly, with the fridge at 4 °C or below.

Where	How long
In the fridge	within 24 hours
In the freezer	3–6 months
Cooked, in the fridge	2–3 days

To make it last longer

Buy it last, get it home quickly and put it straight into the coldest part of the fridge.
Oily fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines) is best eaten within 2–3 months of freezing.
To eat it raw (sushi, carpaccio, marinated), it must be blast-chilled or frozen first: ask your fishmonger.

When to throw it away

Strong ammonia smell, dull sunken eyes, soft flesh that doesn't spring back when pressed.

These are general guidelines and don't replace what's written on the pack: if the label says something different, follow the label. "Use by" is a real expiry date; "best before" is about quality. If in doubt, don't eat it. The difference between the two dates →

FreshyWith Freshy you note when you open a pack and the app reminds you before it goes off.

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Other foods

Fresh milk Long-life (UHT) milk Yogurt Eggs Butter Mozzarella Hard cheeses (Parmesan, Grana, Pecorino)Cooked ham and sliced meats Minced meat Raw chicken Fresh bread Bagged salad Passata and ready-made sauces Mayonnaise and jarred sauces Leftover cooked rice Berries and strawberries Bananas Fresh and filled pasta Cooked leftovers