How long is a ham good for?

[TinkOhio]

I used a new spiral-sliced ham 7 days ago to make soup with. Basically, it was cut into sections and left in the fridge. Only the bone was used for the soup. The rest remains covered in the fridge. Is it still safe to use the meat?

Thanks for any help!

 

[dumbocutie]

I used a new spiral-sliced ham 7 days ago to make soup with. Basically, it was cut into sections and left in the fridge. Only the bone was used for the soup. The rest remains covered in the fridge. Is it still safe to use the meat?

Thanks for any help!

7 days is the maximum number of days to have food in a refrigerator. Use on the 7th day or discard. Or freeze and use on the day you thaw it.

Lysteria is a bacteria that grows under refrigerated conditions and best to be avoided.

 

[java]

The FDA website on Ham

Type of Ham Refrigerate Freeze
Fresh (uncured) Ham, uncooked 3 to 5 days 6 months
Fresh (uncured) Ham, cooked 3 to 4 days 3 to 4 months
Cured Ham, cook-before-eating; uncooked 5 to 7 days or “use-by” date* 3 to 4 months
Cured Ham, cook-before-eating; after consumer cooks it 3 to 5 days 1 to 2 months
Cooked Ham, vacuum sealed at plant, undated; unopened 2 weeks 1 to 2 months
Cooked Ham, vacuum sealed at plant, dated; unopened “Use- by” date* 1 to 2 months
Cooked Ham, vacuum sealed at plant, undated or dated; opened 3 to 5 days 1 to 2 months
Cooked Ham, whole, store wrapped 7 days 1 to 2 months
Cooked Ham, half, store wrapped 3 to 5 days 1 to 2 months
Cooked Ham, slices, store wrapped 3 to 5 days 1 to 2 months
Spiral-cut hams and leftovers from consumer-cooked hams 3 to 5 days 1 to 2 months
**Country Ham, uncooked, cut 2 to 3 months 1 month
Country Ham, cooked 7 days 1 month
Canned Ham, labeled "Keep Refrigerated," unopened 6 to 9 months Do not freeze
Canned Ham, labeled "Keep Refrigerated," opened 7 days 1 to 2 months
***Canned Ham, shelf stable, opened 3 to 4 days 1 to 2 months
Lunch Meat Ham, sealed at plant, unopened 2 weeks or “use-by” date* 1 to 2 months
Lunch Meat Ham, sealed at plant, after opening 3 to 5 days 1 to 2 months
Lunch Meat Ham, sliced in store 3 to 5 days 1 to 2 months
Prosciutto, Parma or Serrano Ham, dry Italian or Spanish type, cut 2 to 3 months 1 month


*Company determines its "use-by" date and stands by it.

** A whole, uncut country ham can be stored safely at room temperature for up to 1 year. The ham is safe after 1 year, but the quality may suffer.

*** An unopened shelf-stable, canned ham may be stored at room temperature for 2 years.

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Last Modified: April 3, 2007

 

[TinkOhio]

Thanks! That's what I thought. It's gone.