Expert: Carol Schlitt - 12/17/2006

Question
We bought a honeybaked ham on Saturday 12/9/06, is it okay to still eat the ham for sandwiches this week since it has been 8 days since we purchased the ham?

Answer
Hi Mary,

It is recommended that cooked ham be used within 5 - 7 days of purchase. If you can't use the ham in that time frame, you should freeze it and use within 2 months.

You are pushing the envelope on safety since it has now been 8 days. Remember -- these are just guidelines and ham could be still safe after 1 week but as a general rule we say 1 week in the refrigerator -- after that it should be frozen for further storage.

I hope this answered your question. If you have additional questions, please let me know.

Happy Holidays!

Carol