A spoonful of ice cream can significantly lift your mood after a stressful day — and science supports this. Consuming ice cream releases endorphins (via Eat By Date) and activates the brain’s pleasure center similarly to winning the lottery (per The Guardian). However, sometimes it’s important to delay gratification. When you store a carton of your favorite ice cream in the freezer, how long can it remain before it needs to be thrown away?
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, foods can remain frozen for a period ranging from a month to over a year, depending on the type of food. Yet, given that ice cream is inherently frozen, does it actually expire? Like many other foods, ice cream can pose a risk for foodborne illness if kept too long. While freezing slows down bacterial growth, it doesn’t eliminate it entirely. Ingredients in ice cream, such as cream, eggs, or milk, are particularly vulnerable to bacterial contamination (per LiveStrong). Indeed, in 2015, Blue Bell creamery had to recall their ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sherbet products due to a Listeria outbreak that hospitalized 10 people and resulted in three deaths (via CDC).
This is how long you should keep opened ice cream versus unopened ice cream
To prevent illness, ice cream should always be purchased before the sell-by date (via LiveStrong). Properly stored unopened ice cream at 0 degrees Fahrenheit should be discarded after two months. After a month, take extra measures by wrapping the container tightly in plastic wrap. Opened ice cream is best consumed within seven to ten days, though it can be kept for up to two or three weeks after opening if wrapped in plastic during storage.
Even with these recommendations, ice cream showing signs of spoilage should be discarded immediately. The appearance of tiny ice crystals on the ice cream surface or under the lid indicates expiration (via Eat By Date). Ice cream enthusiasts can remove this top layer to enjoy the lower layers initially, but if too much time has passed or the entire carton is icy and gooey, it’s better to discard it and purchase a fresh one.
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