Proper storage of cottage cheese in the refrigerator and without, or what are the terms according to SanPiN
Cottage cheese is a perishable product, and therefore must be stored correctly. In this case, it will remain fresh, tasty and healthy longer.
According to official documents, it is permissible to keep cottage cheese in the refrigerator or without it. But it is necessary - in compliance with all necessary conditions and deadlines.
We’ll talk about the shelf life of cottage cheese according to SanPiN further.
Content
What document does it regulate?
The storage duration of fermented milk products is indicated in SanPin 2.3.2 1324-03. According to this document, the manufacturer can independently determine the expiration date of a particular product. But be sure to comply with storage rules and hygienic conditions. He will tell you about the GOST and SanPiN requirements for storing cottage cheese this article.
How to store?
Fresh cottage cheese and a product that has undergone heat treatment have different shelf life.
Fresh
Fresh fermented milk product in the refrigerator suitable for use within 3 days.
The same terms are relevant for dishes made from raw cottage cheese (mousses, creams, etc.). Fresh cottage cheese, which is stored without refrigeration, is suitable for consumption for no longer than 6 hours.
Store without refrigeration You can only use a product that meets a number of requirements:
- cooled;
- as fresh as possible;
- loose, dry (if there is whey, the curd will spoil faster).
The product does not need to be covered with a lid and stored in direct sunlight. It is better to keep the fermented milk product cool. The optimal temperature is up to +15 °C.
How long can loose cottage cheese be stored in the refrigerator and without? this article, home - this. How to store cottage cheese in the refrigerator correctly and for how long, read here, at room temperature - Here.
With heat treatment
In production, special methods of heat treatment of fermented milk products are used. The shortest shelf life is for a homemade product, and the longest for a factory product.
Cottage cheese that has undergone heat treatment Can be stored for up to 5 days. A farm product without packaging can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. But it is better to use it on the day of purchase.
Pancakes, cheesecakes, dumplings with curd filling can be stored for up to 2-3 days. It is not recommended to keep these dishes at room temperature.
Can it be frozen?
It is permissible to put into the freezer only cottage cheese that has been in the refrigerator for no longer than 3 days. Deep freezing (-35°C) will keep the product fresh for 1-2 months.
When the thermometer readings are from -12 °C to -18 °C, the product can remain frozen for 14 days. From 0 to -6°C - no more than 6 days.
Before sending the cottage cheese for freezing, It’s more convenient to divide it into separate portions. Place each part in a sealed bag or container. This way the fermented milk product will be isolated from air and unpleasant odors.
Is it possible to freeze cottage cheese, how long can you store frozen cottage cheese at home? this article, is it worth doing it again - this. You can find out how long cottage cheese can be stored in the freezer here, home - here, is frozen product healthy? Here.
Conditions
Several factors influence the shelf life of cottage cheese:
Presence or absence of packaging
How long does cottage cheese last?
- without packaging - storage up to 24 hours, but it is best to use the product within a few hours;
- in vacuum packaging - up to 10 days;
- in plastic containers - up to 3 days;
- in an enamel container (under a lid) or a plastic bag - up to 2 days.
Fat content
This indicator in different types of cottage cheese varies from 0 to 23%. Products with a fat content of 2-5% have the longest shelf life - up to 72 hours. A product with a fat mass fraction of 18% or higher is stored for 1-2 days.
Humidity
It’s good if this figure is 35-40%.
Temperature
The curd remains fresh in a cooler at a temperature of +2°C to +4°C for 3 days.
It is important to avoid temperature changes and ensure minimal air access to the product. Therefore, it is recommended to place perishable products on the top shelf of the device, closer to the back wall.
If the refrigerator is equipped with a “no frost” system, then the storage duration of the fermented milk product increases by a day. And if the device has a modern antibacterial system - for another 12 hours. The conditions and temperature for storing cottage cheese are discussed in this article.
Conclusion
If stored properly, cottage cheese will retain its freshness and beneficial qualities longer. It is not recommended to store this product outside the refrigerator for more than a few hours. The shelf life is affected by the fat content of the product, as well as humidity and storage temperature.
