AboutCarol Schlitt Expertise I can answer questions on home food safety, sanitation, home food preservation and commercial food safety (HACCP).
Experience I am an Extension educator, nutrition, wellness and food safety. I am a certified HACCP manager and a food safety instructor for the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Organizations International Association for Food Protection, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (Certified CFCS), National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Society for Nutrition Education.
Education/Credentials BS - University of Illinois
MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
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.
