Freezer jam lasts for 6 Months in the freezer and 3 weeks in the refrigerator. Of course, jams and jellies will last for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly. But, like many other products, jam and jellies may have a best by date or a use by date which is simply the last date by which a manufacturer will vouch for a product's quality, not its safety. Because of this distinction, you may safely use your jam, jelly or fruit butter after the best by date has expired, but please enjoy them before the eat by date.

How to tell if Jam/Jelly is bad, rotten or spoiled?

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

With low and no sugar jams and jellies, you will notice a change in flavor as the product ages - it will taste tarter. The first sign of caution with most jams and jellies is when a liquid begins to form on the top of the product. It goes downhill quickly from there as the consistency becomes thicker and the color becomes darker. Then it can develop an unpleasant odor which is almost always followed by an unpleasant flavor and then mold. Once there is any mold at all present, the entire jar must be tossed. Mold spreads very quickly in a soft environment like jam or jelly, whether you can see it on the bottom of the jar or not.

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 Jam/Jelly to extend its shelf life?

All preserved fruits should be stored in a cool dry environment not susceptible to temperature change. When items go through temperature changes of cool to warm and vice versa, the moisture in the air tends to condensate inside the packages. This moisture allows mold to grow and your jam or jelly to spoil. Refrigeration is highly recommended, but only after the jam or jelly has been opened and the freshness seal has been broken. In addition, you should always make sure to use clean utensils when serving jams and jellies in order to avoid cross-contamination.

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

Interesting facts about Jam/Jelly:

How long is Jam/Jelly good for when prepared in a dish?

How long does jam last? That depends. How long does bread last? In general, jam lasts only as long as the quickest expiring ingredient it is mixed with.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Jam/Jelly 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 Jam/Jelly.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Jam/Jelly 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!