How long mixed baby formula lasts at room temp and in the fridge
Quick answer
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Room temperature
Keeps for 1 hour
Prepared formula can stay at room temperature for 1 hour.
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Fridge
Keeps for 1-2 days
Prepared formula keeps 1 day in the refrigerator, and opened liquid concentrate or ready-to-feed formula keeps 2 days.
Watch out Discard formula after its use-by date, and don't buy or use it past that date.
Prepared baby formula lasts 1 hour at room temperature and 1 day in the refrigerator. Opened liquid concentrate or ready-to-feed formula keeps 2 days in the refrigerator. Don't buy or use any baby formula after the use-by date on its label.
Buying baby formula this week?
On a Listonic list, every item gets the amount you need and a note on when to use it by.
- Quantity and unit on every item
- A note like “fridge, use within a week”
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Prepared baby formula lasts 1 hour at room temperature and 1 day in the refrigerator. Opened liquid concentrate or ready-to-feed formula keeps 2 days in the refrigerator, according to USDA FoodKeeper.
Infant formula also has a use-by date on its label. Federal regulations require it, and you shouldn’t buy or use baby formula after that date.
How long is formula good for?
Prepared formula is good for 1 hour at room temperature and 1 day in the refrigerator. Opened liquid concentrate or ready-to-feed formula is good for 2 days in the refrigerator. The use-by date on the label applies on top of these times.
| Formula | Where | How long |
|---|---|---|
| Prepared formula | Room temperature | 1 hour |
| Prepared formula | Refrigerator | 1 day |
| Opened liquid concentrate or ready-to-feed formula | Refrigerator | 2 days |
How long can formula sit out?
A bottle of prepared formula can sit out at room temperature for 1 hour, according to USDA FoodKeeper. In the refrigerator, prepared formula keeps 1 day.
How long does formula last in the fridge?
Prepared formula lasts 1 day in the refrigerator, and opened liquid concentrate or ready-to-feed formula lasts 2 days. Both times come from USDA FoodKeeper.
How long is mixed formula good for?
Mixed formula, which USDA FoodKeeper lists as prepared formula, is good for 1 day in the refrigerator. At room temperature, it’s good for 1 hour.
How long does opened ready-to-feed formula last?
Opened liquid concentrate or ready-to-feed formula lasts 2 days in the refrigerator, one day longer than prepared formula. USDA FoodKeeper says to discard it after the use-by date too.
What the use-by date on formula means
Federal regulations require a use-by date on the label of infant formula under FDA inspection. Using formula by that date ensures it contains each nutrient in the quantity listed on the label. The formula must also keep an acceptable quality to pass through an ordinary bottle nipple.
Can you use formula after the use-by date?
No. The USDA’s Food Product Dating page says not to buy or use baby formula after its use-by date. USDA FoodKeeper says to discard formula after that date.
How long does a can of formula last?
A can of formula lasts until the use-by date on its label. Check the date when you buy it and again before you use it.
The FDA’s guidance on storing food safely says infant formula must be used by the use-by date that appears on the package.
Frequently asked questions
Is a use-by date required on baby formula?
Yes. Federal regulations require a use-by date on the label of infant formula under FDA inspection.
Who chooses the use-by date on formula?
The manufacturer, packer, or distributor selects it. They base it on product analysis throughout the formula's shelf life, tests, or other information, and on the handling, storage, preparation, and use conditions printed on the label.
Do other foods need a date the way formula does?
Except for infant formula, federal regulations don't require product dating.
Do baby foods have to be used by their dates too?
The FDA says infant formula and some baby foods must be used by the use-by date on the package.
How long are formula bottles good for?
A bottle of prepared formula is good for 1 hour at room temperature and 1 day in the refrigerator, according to USDA FoodKeeper.
Does baby formula expire?
Yes. Infant formula has a use-by date on its label, and you shouldn't buy or use it after that date.
