Of course, all foods last for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly. But remember that lemons, like a lot of other fresh fruits, usually do not have a use by date or best before date so you will have to use the date purchased. Sometimes when lemons are purchased in a package it is labeled with the date the lemons were packed into the container. This date can be used to calculate the eat by date.

How to tell if Lemons are bad, rotten or spoiled?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness.

Although not a perfect test, your senses are usually the most reliable instruments to tell if your lemons have gone bad beyond the shelf life.
A fresh lemon will have a bright smooth skin and feel firm and heavy for its size.
Some common traits of bad lemons are a soft texture and some discoloration. Once a soft spot develops it becomes moist moist and will soon develop mold (mould), usually white in color at first. Throw out moldy lemons.

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled foods so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your foods before their shelf life has expired!

How to store Lemons to extend their shelf life?

You can help lemons keep fresh longer by storing them in your refrigerator drawer. If lemons were purchased in a plastic bag, remove them from the bag which could have trapped moisture which will cause the lemons to soften and spoil.

Once lemons are prepared or cut, they should be stored in a tightly closed container to keep out moisture and other contaminants.

Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

Interesting facts about Lemons:

How to use extra before your Lemons go bad?

I've always been a firm believer that if life hands you lemons, make lemonade!

How long are Lemons good for when prepared in a dish?

How long do lemons last? That depends. How long does fish last? In general, limes last only as long as the quickest expiring ingredient in the dish.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Lemons lasts, our content incorporates research from multiple resources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration. In addition, we scoured the web for informative articles and reports related to food safety, food storage and the shelf life of Lemons.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Lemons shelf life information on Eat By Date is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary and that our advice should only be taken as an opinion and not a replacement for your health care professional. Please eat responsibly!