Does refrigerated juice go bad?

Juice is a refrigerator staple in many households. A refreshing glass of OJ or apple juice can make breakfast more enjoyable. Juice often comes in large bottles or containers, and it may take a week or more to finish them off. This leaves many people wondering: does refrigerated juice go bad?

The short answer is yes, refrigerated juice does eventually go bad. However, with proper storage, juice can last longer than you might think. Here’s what you need to know about the shelf life of common juices and how to tell if your OJ or other juices have spoiled.

How long does juice last in the fridge?

The shelf life of juice depends on a variety of factors:

• Type of juice – Citrus juices like orange juice have a shorter shelf life than apple juice.
• Packaging – Juices in cartons and plastic bottles last longer than juices in glass bottles.
• Pasteurization – Unpasteurized juice has a shorter shelf life than commercially packaged pasteurized juices.
• Preservatives – Juices with preservatives tend to last longer in the fridge.
• Storage conditions – Proper refrigeration extends the shelf life of juices.

Given optimal storage conditions, here are some general guidelines for refrigerator shelf life of common juices:

Juice Type	Refrigerator Shelf Life
Orange juice	5-7 days past expiration date
Apple juice	10-14 days past expiration date
Grape juice	14 days past expiration date
Cranberry juice	14 days past expiration date
Tomato juice	5-7 days past expiration date
Carrot juice	2-3 days past expiration date

As you can see, most common juices last about 1-2 weeks past the expiration date if stored properly in the fridge. But remember, those timeframes assume the juice was refrigerated continuously after opening. Heat and exposure to air will shorten the shelf life.

How to tell if refrigerated juice has gone bad

Here are some signs that indicate your refrigerated juice has spoiled and should be discarded:

• Change in color – Fresh juices have vibrant, natural colors. If the color dulls or darkens, it’s a sign the juice has oxidized and spoiled.
• Clumping – Juice contains soluble compounds that should remain evenly dispersed. Clumps or particles in the juice indicate spoilage.
• Mold – The presence of fuzzy mold spots signals the juice is past its prime.
• Yeasty smell – A yeasty or fermented odor means the juice is beginning to ferment due to contamination by yeast or bacteria.
• Fizzing – Bubbles or hissing when you open the container is a tell-tale sign of fermentation and spoilage.
• Unpleasant odor – Foul, rotten, or sour odors point to a juice that’s gone bad.
• Curdling – Proteins and solids that have settled or curdled at the bottom of the container indicate the juice is no longer good.
• Slimy texture – An unpleasant, slimy mouthfeel signals microbial growth in the juice.
• Off tastes – Sour, bitter, metallic, or otherwise “off” tastes mean the juice has degraded in quality.

If you notice any of those warning signs upon inspection or tasting, err on the side of caution and discard the juice. Consuming spoiled juices can potentially lead to food poisoning.

Does shelf life vary between refrigerated and unrefrigerated juice?

Yes, refrigerator temperature storage significantly extends the shelf life of juice compared to leaving juice sitting out at room temperature. Here’s a comparison of refrigerated vs. unrefrigerated juice shelf life:

Juice Type	Refrigerated	Unrefrigerated
Orange juice	5-7 days past expiration	1-2 days past expiration
Apple juice	10-14 days past expiration	3-5 days past expiration
Grape juice	14 days past expiration	3-5 days past expiration
Cranberry juice	14 days past expiration	3-5 days past expiration
Tomato juice	5-7 days past expiration	1-2 days past expiration

As shown, juice left sitting out at room temperature goes bad within several days of the expiration date printed on the packaging. Refrigeration can extend the shelf life of juice by up to 2 weeks by slowing down microbial growth and deterioration.

Tips to extend the shelf life of refrigerated juice

Follow these storage tips to get the most shelf life out of your refrigerated juices:

• Check expiration dates – Don’t purchase juice that is already close to expiring.
• Refrigerate after opening – Keep juice chilled at 40°F or below after opening.
• Minimize exposure to air – Keep juice containers tightly sealed to prevent oxidation.
• Avoid temperature fluctuations – Prevent juice from repeatedly warming up during use.
• Don’t return unused juice to the fridge – Discard any backwash rather than contaminating the remaining juice.
• Store juice away from produce – Fruits and vegetables release ethylene gas that degrades juice quality.
• Control freezer burn – Use airtight containers if freezing juice long-term.

Following those refrigerated storage guidelines can add several days or even weeks to the shelf life of your juices!

Can you freeze juices to extend shelf life?

Yes, freezing juice enables you to significantly prolong its shelf life. Here are some freezing guidelines for common juices:

• Most juices can be frozen for 8-12 months with minimal loss of flavor or nutrition.
• Pour juice into airtight plastic freezer containers or bags before freezing.
• Leave 1/2 inch of headspace to allow for expansion during freezing.
• Citrus juices may start to separate when thawed after freezing.
• Some vitamin C degradation may occur over time, but juices retain most nutrients.
• Allow frozen juices to completely thaw in the fridge before consuming.

Freezing buys you time by essentially pressing pause on the juice’s shelf life. Thawed juices retain much of their original freshness and quality. An exception is that freezing and thawing tends to degrade the texture of raw vegetable juices like carrot juice.

Can spoiled juice make you sick?

Yes, consuming juice that has spoiled can potentially lead to foodborne illness. Here are the risks of drinking bad juice:

• May contain harmful bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, Staphylococcus.
• Can trigger common food poisoning symptoms like nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea.
• Vulnerable groups like pregnant women, children, elderly at higher risk.
• Rarely, juice-associated outbreaks linked to serious illness or even death.
• May trigger allergic reaction in those with citrus or wheat allergies (from cross-contact).
• At minimum, can cause unpleasant digestive upset even if not dangerous.

When in doubt, remember the old adage – “When in doubt, throw it out.” Consuming spoiled, foul-smelling juice is simply not worth the risk of foodborne disease.

Conclusion

Does refrigerated juice go bad? Definitely. But with proper refrigerated storage, juices can remain fresh and tasty for 1-2 weeks past the expiration date. Pay attention for signs of spoilage like changes in color, smell, and texture. Freezing juice enables you to pause the clock and extend shelf life for up to a year. But always discard juice that shows any indicators it has gone bad, as consuming spoiled juice can cause foodborne illness. Following some simple storage guidelines allows you to keep juice from spoiling quickly and enjoy it while it’s still fresh.