Ready meals are made to last without a fridge. How long they last depends on the type of meal and on whether the pack is still sealed.
Always check the date on the pack
Every pack has a best before or use by date. That date is the maker’s promise for that product. Trust it over any general guide, including this one.
Sealed packs
- Retort: usually many months at room temperature.
- Freeze-dried: usually many months, as long as the pack stays sealed and dry.
- Dehydrated: usually many months, if kept dry and sealed.
Store packs in a cool, dry place, away from direct sun and heat.
After you open the pack
- Retort: treat it like fresh cooked food. Eat it the same day.
- Freeze-dried: damp air is the enemy. Close the pack tightly and finish it within a few days.
- Dehydrated: keep it dry and closed, and use it soon.
After you add water
Once you add water to freeze-dried or dehydrated food, it becomes normal cooked food again. Eat it right away. Do not keep it for later without a fridge.
Signs a pack has gone bad
- A swollen or puffed-up pouch.
- A torn or leaking pack.
- A strange smell or colour when you open it.
- Dry food that has turned soft or sticky, which means moisture got in.
If you see any of these, throw it away.
Questions people ask
How long does freeze-dried food last?
Check the date on the pack. Sealed packs last many months because almost no water is left in the food.
Can I eat ready-to-eat food after the date on the pack?
It is best not to. The date is how long the maker says the food stays good. If the pack is past its date or looks damaged, throw it away.
How should I store ready meals?
Keep sealed packs in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Heat and damp shorten their life.
How long can I keep a meal after adding water?
Eat it right away. Once water is added it is fresh food again, and it should not be kept without a fridge.
Spice Up Foods freeze-dried meals have a 6 months shelf life and no preservatives. See Spice Up Foods meals.