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How Long Can Sealed Yogurt Be Unrefrigerated
Sealed yoghurt can be unrefrigerated for a maximum of two hours at room temperature. Bacteria grow faster when kept unrefrigerated. If refrigerated properly, yoghurt can last up to two weeks. After this period, the yeast starts to grow in it.
Storing yoghurt without refrigeration for a long time will cause bacteria to grow and make it more acidic. You can store your yoghurt without refrigeration for up to 2 hours.
If the yoghurt has not been stored for over 2 hours and shows no spoilage, you can eat unrefrigerated yoghurt. Yoghurt that has not been refrigerated for 8 hours or carelessly left in the refrigerator overnight will spoil the yoghurt.
Yes, unrefrigerated yoghurt can be eaten if it hasn’t been stored for less than 24 hours. Now you know that yoghurt left out of the refrigerator should be consumed or refrigerated for a maximum of two hours.
Don’t leave chilled yoghurt at room temperature for more than 2 hours to keep it safe. Store it in the refrigerator after you bring it home from the store, and don’t leave the yoghurt at room temperature for more than two hours or an hour if the temperature is 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
As you can see from the table below, yoghurt should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. Now, if the temperature in your house is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, yoghurt can stand for no more than an hour. Yoghurt can be out of the refrigerator for no more than an hour when the temperature accidentally exceeds 90 degrees. Yoghurt can be stored at 32 degrees Fahrenheit for about 2 weeks.
The ideal temperature to store yoghurt
Yoghurt should be stored in a refrigerator without a freezer and covered tightly. The storage temperature of yoghurt must be below 40 degrees Fahrenheit for refrigeration. US Dairy recommends storing yoghurt in the refrigerator below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Store-bought chilled yoghurt should be consumed within an hour if the room temperature is below 90 degrees Fahrenheit. To keep yoghurt at the optimum temperature, store it in the back of the refrigerator. Store your yoghurt in the refrigerator if you want it to stay fresh longer.
While yoghurt can last up to two hours before it needs to be refrigerated, it should be as soon as possible. For the curious, the answer is that yoghurt can be stored for several hours out of the refrigerator. You’ve learned that yoghurt can’t last more than 2 hours from the fridge; I’m sure you’d like to refrigerate this delicious treat immediately.
| Products | Room Temperature (Below 90 degrees) |
| Milk | 3 hours |
| Butter | 1-2 days |
| Yogurt | 6-8 hours |
| Cheese | 4 hours |
Can you consume yoghurt after the expiration date?
In the refrigerator, unopened yoghurt can stay delicious for a week or two past its expiration date. As long as the expiration date has not passed, you can still eat expired yoghurt. You can eat expired yoghurt, or at least with the expiration date printed on the yoghurt package. You can consume expired yoghurt, or at least yoghurt with an expiration date.
Official government advice says yoghurt (whether Greek, natural, or any other kind) should be discarded (unless Greek yoghurt has been refrigerated at 40 degrees F for more than two hours. According to Foodsafety.gov, yoghurt is not recommended after being stored outdoors at room temperature for more than two hours.
Due to its high nutritional value, yoghurt is unsuitable for prolonged outdoor exposure, as high temperatures can accelerate the growth of bacteria, causing this fermented milk product to spoil faster.
To learn about Can Dry Yeast Go Bad check out my other article where I cover things in detail.
It may spoil if you consume yoghurt that has not been refrigerated for too long. If you buy yoghurt that has been sitting on the shelf for a long time, it may go bad. If you leave yoghurt out for a long time, it may spoil and be unsafe to eat.
At home, if yoghurt sits in the refrigerator for more than two hours, it can become sour or even spoil. If you accidentally forget, refrigerate for at least two hours after removing. If you don’t have time to eat yoghurt within two days, you can freeze it instead. You can keep leftover yoghurt in the fridge longer, although I don’t recommend it.
While this is a great rule of thumb, there may be times when you’re still unsure if your yoghurt is safe to eat, even if it’s been properly refrigerated. It should also be noted that the shelf life of yoghurt can be shortened if you take the yoghurt out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about an hour before putting it back in the fridge.
2 hours is highly temperature dependent. It is important to remember how long yoghurt can be stored at room temperature to prevent quick yoghurt spoilage and protect you from exposure to spoiled foods.
Leaving yoghurt at room temperature for too long can lead to microbial contamination and food poisoning. Keep in mind that constant temperature fluctuations can seriously affect your yoghurt’s longevity. Yoghurt should be served within an hour if below this temperature. You should always consume yoghurt within three days of opening.
If you’re interested in Can You Substitute Canola Oil For Vegetable Oil, take a look at my other article.
Like yoghurt, unopened milk left for 3 hours is also unhealthy.
Along with natural yoghurt to use as a snack, you’ll also need something to help keep your growing yoghurt culture at the right temperature for several hours. Some people may say that they keep their yoghurt out of the fridge for 6-8 hours, mostly when they bring it to work, and it tastes good.
Does yoghurt go bad if not refrigerated?
Keep the yoghurt in the fridge after you buy it from the store. It is advised not to leave yoghurt at room temperature for two hours or one hour if it is 90 degrees F or above. If left outside the fridge for longer, bacteria will start to grow.
Can unrefrigerated sealed yoghurt make you sick?
Your unopened yoghurt may spoil if you keep it outside the fridge for 1-2 hours at 40-90 degrees Fahrenheit. Even if you think the yoghurt is safe to consume, it is not, as bacteria start to grow if the yoghurt is kept outside for a long, and you risk getting foodborne illnesses like diarrhoea and nausea.
How can I tell if my unrefrigerated yoghurt has gone bad?
You can easily tell if your unrefrigerated, sealed yoghurt has gone bad if there is more watery liquid in it. Other signs of spoilage include mould developing or the yoghurt giving off a rotten or stale smell. If it also tastes sour, you should immediately discard it.