Does jelly expire in the fridge?
An opened jar of jelly will last for up to 12 months or more in the fridge. Commercially produced jelly usually has storage instructions printed on the jar along with the 'Best by' date of the product. The shelf life of sugar-free jelly ranges from 6 to 9 months in the fridge.
Jelly that is already open should be refrigerated for at least six months, but it may last up to one year in your refrigerator. Of course, you should always keep an eye out for signs the jelly has gone bad, even if it is before the expiration date.
How can you tell if opened grape jelly is bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the grape jelly: if the jelly develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears, it should be discarded.
| Product | Pantry (Unopened) | Refrigerator (Opened) |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar Free Jam lasts for | 6-9 Months | 6-9 Months |
| Smucker's Simply Fruit lasts for | 6-9 Months | 9 Months |
| Smucker's Sugar Free Jam lasts for | 6-9 months | 9 Months |
| Welch's Grape Jelly lasts for | 1-2 Years | 1 Year |
Jams and jellies do not have to be refrigerated after opening even though most commercial brands have instructions on the label to do so. However, they will certainly last much longer when kept cold. Opened jam or jelly will generally keep at least 6 months refrigerated and up to 30 days unrefrigerated.
- Smell – If the jelly has gone bad, it may begin to smell a little bit strange. ...
- Mold – This should be pretty obvious, but you should stay away from any jelly that has mold on the surface, or anywhere else for that matter.
Jellies and jams do not need to go in the fridge because they have a water activity of around 0.80, and their pH is usually around 3. So they don't have enough moisture to support bacteria and are too acidic for them as well. Conclusion: Keep your jams and jellies wherever you want to.
As I already mentioned, the jam is a preserve, and a sealed jar keeps really well over time (not as well as honey, though). That means that it will most likely be safe to eat a couple of months or even years past the date on the label. That is, of course, if it stays sealed.
Some are wondering if it's OK to still eat jam or jelly, whether high-end or homemade, as long as you scrape off any visible mold. However, jam and jelly can host toxin-producing mold species that can be hazardous to your health, according to microbiologists, so you should discard any moldy jam immediately.
GRAPE JELLY, COMMERCIALLY JARRED - UNOPENED
Properly stored, an unopened jar of grape jelly will generally stay at best quality for about 2 years.
How long does Jello last in the fridge?
The Lifespan of Prepared Jello
When stored in a covered container in the refrigerator, this jiggly treat can last for up to seven to 10 days. That's quite a while, as far as deserts go. Even so, the taste and texture will deteriorate little by little each day, so it will be at its best soon after setting.
