How Long is Chicken Good for After the Sell-By Date?

Wondering if your chicken is still good past its sell-by date?  This simple guide will cover what you need to know about the sell-by date, chicken shelf life, signs of spoilage and more.

Sell-By Date MEANING

1

The sell-by or sell-thru date on chicken is for retailers, indicating peak freshness. It's not a safety marker, rather a tool for the store to help manage inventory.

HOW LONG CHICKEN LASTS AFTER THE SELL-BY DATE

2

According to USDA guidelines, chicken that has been properly stored in the fridge is good for 1-2 days past the sell-by date.

Signs of Spoilage

3

Check for bad chicken by any of the following signs: changes in color, slimy texture, foul smell. When in doubt about its quality, it's safer to discard it than risk food poisoning.

Freezing Chicken to Extend its shelf life

4

Freeze raw chicken to preserve it for up to 9 months. For cooked chicken, freezing extends its shelf life to 4-6 months.

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