How long foods keep and how refrigeration, containers, temperature and storage conditions affect quality and safety.
Discard dry rice with insects, inspect nearby pantry foods, and clean containers and cracks; cooking or removing visible adults does not reliably eliminate an infestation.
A little separated whey can be normal in ricotta, but strong sour odor, slime, mold, package swelling, or poor refrigeration are reasons to discard it.
Droplets can come from temperature changes, but persistent dampness, mold, unusual odor, or sticky bread are reasons to discard the affected package.
A little liquid can come from foam collapse, but sour odor, slime, mold, or poor refrigeration are reasons to discard whipped cream.
Pure maple syrup should be refrigerated after opening because exposure to air can allow mold to grow. Pancake syrup blends may have different directions.
Conventional peanut butter is often pantry-stable after opening, while natural or specialty products may call for refrigeration. The label is the final guide.
Opening milk starts a new storage clock. Post-opening directions and continuous refrigeration matter more than a date designed for the sealed carton.
USDA recommends using refrigerated rotisserie or other cooked chicken within 3 to 4 days when it has been chilled promptly and kept at 40°F/4°C or below.
Commercial ketchup is acidic and relatively stable, but refrigeration after opening is the best home routine for preserving color, flavor and quality.
Regular soy sauce is relatively stable after opening, but refrigeration preserves flavor. Less-sodium and blended sauces may specifically require refrigeration.
Opened moist lunch meats such as sliced ham, turkey, or bologna generally have a short refrigerated window, commonly 3–5 days. Dry-cured salami, prosciutto, and similar products can follow different product-specific rules, so identify the type and follow the label.
Butter is more tolerant of brief room-temperature storage than many dairy foods, but refrigeration is the most predictable default, especially in a warm kitchen.