If you've ever walked down the dairy aisle of your local grocery store, you may have seen the vast array of yogurt flavors available – from indulgent whole milk custard options to lighter fruity Greek-style options. But when it comes to the shelf-life of yogurt, how long does whole milk yogurt really last? It can often seem tricky to tell which yogurt is the freshest and, more importantly, safe to consume.
Whole milk yogurt typically lasts 7-10 days once it is opened, as long as it is kept refrigerated. To ensure the freshest taste and texture, it's best to consume the yogurt within this time frame.
The good news is that we can break it down for you – so you can enjoy a delicious, safe, and fresh yogurt. Read on for an overview of how long does whole milk yogurt last, as well as a few storage tips to help keep your yogurt tasting as good as new.
Table of Contents
What is Whole Milk Yogurt?
Whole milk yogurt is made from milk that has not been skimmed or made with powdered milk reconstituted in water. Most yogurts on the market are made with low fat milk, partially-skimmed milk, or nonfat milk which makes whole milk yogurt an outlier. Whole milk yogurt typically has a thicker, creamier consistency compared to other varieties of yogurt due to its higher fat content and healthy amounts of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin B12.
Aspects like flavor and texture can vary greatly depending on what type of milk was used when making the yogurt, so it’s important for consumers to read product labels before making a purchase if these factors are important. For example cow’s milk will give the yogurt a sharper taste compared to goat’s milk which gives it a smoother finish.
When it comes to health and nutrition, opinions are divided between those who favor whole milk yogurt and those who would prefer low fat or nonfat yogurt instead. On one hand, people prefer low fat yogurts because they are lower in calories while still providing a good source of protein and calcium, whereas on the other hand some believe that whole milk yogurt contains more nutrients and beneficial probiotics than their lower fat counterparts. Ultimately, it is up to each person to decide which option best fits their needs.
Whichever type you choose, it's important to check the expiration date as any type of yogurt should not be consumed past its stated expiry date for health and safety reasons. With that in mind let's now take a more detailed look into how exactly Yogurt is made - from pasteurization all the way through culturing - in order to gain a clearer understanding of how long it might last.
Pasteurization and Culturing Process
As mentioned before, whole milk yogurt is made through the combination of pasteurization and culturing processes. Pasteurization heats up the milk to high temperatures while the culturing process adds bacteria to the milk. This bacteria contains lactic acid which helps its thick consistency and tangy flavor. The two processes work in combination to create a safe-to-eat product that can last many days when stored properly.
There is much debate about whether or not pasteurizing is necessary for yogurt making due to its potential for killing beneficial bacteria. Advocates of unpasteurized dairy believe that raw dairy has better natural nutrients compared to pasteurized dairy. On the other hand, those who favor pasteurization claim that it helps enhance the safety of dairy products by removing deadly pathogens.
It is important to note that both sides have valid points, but ultimately the decision of whether or not to pasteurize yogurt comes down to personal preference and health status. Regardless of which process you choose for your yogurt, it is important to follow proper storage protocols as noted on the package as this can significantly increase its shelf life. Now that we’ve discussed these two key steps in creating whole milk yogurt, let’s explore how long it lasts when stored properly.
How Long Does Whole Milk Yogurt Last?
When it comes to how long whole milk yogurt lasts, many variables are at play. It is important to understand the pasteurization and culturing process that affects the shelf life of products, which was previously discussed.
The most important factor to consider when determining how long whole milk yogurt will last is temperature. Cold storage extends freshness of dairy products significantly. Whole milk yogurt can last between 7-10 days when stored in a refrigerator between 40-45 degrees Fahrenheit (4-7 degrees Celsius). Of course, this estimation depends on other factors such as fat content, specific ingredients and storage method which can impact the shelf life of yogurt.
How long yogurt lasts outside of the fridge varies greatly depending on the temperature. Yogurt can last upwards of one hour at room temperature (about 70 F/21 C). If left out for any longer it’s important to discard the container as bacteria will start to grow rapidly after an hour or two, making it unsafe to eat. In warmer climates or during summer months, try not to leave yogurt sitting in hot cars or in direct sunlight for any length of time.
The final thing to consider in determining how long whole milk yogurt lasts are expiration dates on packaging. Most producers include a ‘sell-by' date that is usually 2–6 weeks past the manufacturing date. This date is meant as a store guide and should not be treated as an expiration date. As mentioned above with reference to temperature, other variables may affect when it’s best to discard your product.
It is important to take all of these factors into consideration when determining how long your yogurt lasts so you can ensure safe and proper storage and consumption. With this in mind, let’s look at what temperatures and expiration dates mean for our yogurts in order to safely enjoy them for their longest lifespan possible.
Temperature and Expiration Dates
Now that you know roughly how long whole milk yogurt lasts, it is important to consider the effect of temperature on expiration dates. It is always best to store your yogurt in the refrigerator to ensure a longer shelf life. Generally, yogurts stored in room temperature will only last for a few days or one week at most, whereas yogurts stored in the fridge last for about two weeks past the sell-by date according to the Dairy Science and Technology Education website.
Despite this long shelf life, many people opt to store their yogurt outside of the fridge as they believe it tastes better at room temperature The Dairy Council of California states that storing yogurt at room temperature also helps preserve important nutrients like vitamin C and folate. However, this may not be valid if you are looking to enjoy a longer lasting yogurt.
Though storing yogurt at room temperature may provide some benefit in terms of taste, the risk of spoilage means that the refrigerator is ultimately the better choice for preserving its freshness. Therefore, those who wish to experience the full flavor and shelf life of their yogurt should keep it refrigerated. As such, when preparing meals with yogurt make sure to keep it cooled until ready to serve.
By keeping your yogurt chilled and consuming within 2 weeks from opening you can enjoy your favorite whole milk yogurt without running into any health risks caused by bacteria growth. With these temperature and expiration date considerations in mind, let's move on to discuss how proper refrigeration and storage can further extend the shelf life of your yogurt.
Refrigeration and Storage Tips
When it comes to refrigeration and storage tips for whole milk yogurt, there appears to be some debate. Some experts argue that a carton of yogurt should be stored at the back of the refrigerator, where temperatures are more consistent. Others maintain that yogurt should be stored on a top shelf to avoid any potential risk of cross-contamination from raw meat, poultry, or other food items.
The case for storing yogurt on the back shelf is mostly about temperature control and keeping the product at a consistent cold temperature (40°F or below). According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, temperatures higher than 40°F can cause spoilage. When dairy products like yogurt sit at warm temperatures they can grow dangerous bacteria like Listeria, which can cause foodborne illness if consumed. So this logic would suggest that storing yogurt on a back shelf is best practice when it comes to refrigeration safety.
However, storing yogurt on a top shelf might make sense as well if you’re concerned about cross-contamination from raw meats or poultry (which could contain harmful salmonella or campylobacter) dripping onto your food product(s). Storing these products separately means one less thing to worry about. Plus, cooking meat and poultry to an appropriate internal temperature will greatly decrease the presence of any potential pathogens anyway.
To summarize: either method makes sense depending on your individual priorities but overall storing your yogurt on the back shelf will likely prevent spoilage and/or growth of dangerous bacteria due to fluctuating temperatures.
Key Takeaway
When it comes to refrigerating and storing yogurt, there is some debate as to whether keeping it in the back of the refrigerator (where temperatures are more consistent) or on a top shelf (to avoid cross-contamination) is better. Generally, refrigerating yogurt in the back shelf appears to be the safest option as temperatures higher than 40°F can cause spoilage and lead to growth of dangerous bacteria. However, storing yogurt on a top shelf may be an option if cross-contamination from raw meats is a concern. Ultimately, either method makes sense based on individual priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my whole milk yogurt is still safe to eat?
To determine whether your whole milk yogurt is still safe to eat, start by assessing its smell and texture. If the yogurt smells sour or appears slimy, it has likely gone bad. If it instead smells fresh and mild, and the texture is creamy, then it is likely still safe to consume. Finally, check the expiration date on the container: if it has passed, discard the yogurt as a safety precaution.
Are there any signs I should look out for to determine if my whole milk yogurt has gone bad?
Yes, there are several signs you should look for when determining if your whole milk yogurt has gone bad. First and foremost, you should check the expiration date on the packaging, as it will give you the best indication of how long your yogurt may be good for.
Other signs to look out for include changes in texture or taste of the yogurt, an off-odor, or any visible mold growth on or around the container or spoon used to eat it. You should also pay attention to the color of the yogurt; if it appears darker or browner than usual, this could indicate that it is no longer safe to eat.
How should I store whole milk yogurt to make it last longer?
When it comes to storing whole milk yogurt, it’s important to keep temperature and humidity in mind. Yogurt should always be stored at a temperature of 40°F or lower since factors like changes in light, temperature and humidity can accelerate spoilage.
To keep your yogurt fresh for as long as possible, store it in a covered container within the refrigerator either on the top shelf or the refrigerator door. Additionally, make sure to use clean utensils when transferring the yogurt from its packaging to another container and avoid leaving yogurt opened at room temperature for any length of time.
