Yogurt in bowl on rustic black table - Photo of plain natural organic yoghurt close up.

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While the proverb goes, "don't cry over spilled milk," information technology really should also include, "don't cry over spoiled yogurt." That'due south because, well, life happens, which means you may take forgotten to swallow that container of 'gurt in the fridge before its expiration date, or you accidentally left a container in your car overnight. (PSA: Yogurt and heat do not mix well.)

If you're a take chances-taker, you might still consume yogurt that'south been left out, considering information technology your audition tape for "Fright Factor." You might take this risk because you're not up to speed as to how long yogurt tin actually concluding outside the fridge. Hither's how long information technology can last unrefrigerated as well every bit the signs of spoiled yogurt.

How Long Can Yogurt Sit Out?

Yogurt should be stored in the refrigerator before long after you bring information technology dwelling house. Co-ordinate to the U.South. Department of Health & Human being Services, yogurt can sit at room temperature for ii hours. Whatsoever longer than that, and you should throw it out.

This guideline also applies when information technology'due south taken out of the fridge for a snack. Eat your yogurt quickly, or at least before the ii-hour crucial minimum. If you're wondering if this applies to all the many different varieties and flavors of yogurt, yeah, it does.

This rule also applies to Greek yogurt, which is a thicker grade of yogurt that's prepared by straining the yogurt and removing enough of the whey, and then it forms a solid sort of shape (think cream cheese).

Additionally, if the temperature in the room is higher than xc degrees Fahrenheit, then shorten that 2 60 minutes time to 1 hr. This means that leaving yogurt in a hot auto is definitely a no-no.

Does Yogurt Become Bad in the Fridge?

While you shouldn't eat chicken that'southward by its expiration date, with yogurt, yous tin can exist a fleck more than complimentary with the expiration rules. That'due south considering sealed yogurt can actually terminal one to 2 weeks past its expiration date.

Opened yogurt is a different story. Yous should bank check whether it's spoiled before eating it since opened yogurt ages more apace. To determine if yogurt has gone bad, look for these signs:

  1. Backlog liquid: When opening a fresh container of yogurt, you may find water on the peak. A little scrap of this is OK, because information technology's only whey, a nutrient-dense water found in some dairy products. Information technology's supposed to be mixed into the yogurt to provide a creamier texture equally well as several nutrients, such every bit protein, potassium and calcium.

    Too much liquid, nevertheless, plus a curdling texture at the bottom of the container ways that the yogurt has gone bad. Time to toss!

  2. Mold: When it comes to mold, some people are a little besides liberal. For case, you may wonder: Is it OK to consume bread with mold on it? Or, we retrieve it's OK to cut mold off a cake of cheese and telephone call it a 24-hour interval. With yogurt, nevertheless, you lot can't play fast and loose; the whole container will have to be thrown out at that betoken.

    The mold coloring may vary from green, off-white, orangish to black. Avoid it at all price since eating contaminated yogurt could lead to food poisoning.

With all this in mind, you now can consider yourself "cultured" in the consumption of yogurt.

References

Writer Bio

Sarah is a multi-platform writer and editor. Her piece of work has appeared in USA Today, Vital Proteins, Healthline, Diply, and more than. When she's not writing, she'southward trying to go on up with her border collie, Emmy.

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