Having guests over for a dinner party can be a fun yet exhausting experience. After saying goodbye to your friends, you probably head straight to bed for some sleep. But what if you wake up the next day to find your half and half still sitting out on the counter?
You should not leave half and half out overnight. The FDA recommends keeping perishable foods out of room temperature to prevent spoilage. After sitting out for 2 hours or more the number of bacteria that has accumulated in the product can cause food poisoning.
What is the best way to store your half and half in the fridge? How can you store other varieties of coffee creamers? We have the answers to these questions and more, so read on!
How Long Can You Leave Half & Half Out at Room Temperature?
Half and half should not be kept at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. Avoid keeping it out for longer than one hour if the room is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). Half and half can spoil, curdle, and become undrinkable after this time.
Half and half is a perishable product and is susceptible to spoilage and bacterial contamination. When milk products get below a certain temperature the potential for harmful bacteria increases. If milk gets above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than a few minutes, it can start to curdle.
This is only true for refrigerated, pasteurized half and half, though. There are several options that are available if you must keep your half and half on the counter.
There are ultra-high temperature pasteurized half and half containers that can be stored, unopened, for up to 6 months at room temperature. These are not great if you use your half and half a lot because it takes several to make a cup. But, if you just use them in your tea or coffee, they are the best option.
These containers go by several names based on the brand and manufacturer. Some common brands include Land O’ Lakes’ Mini-Moos or Hoods’ Half and half creamers. These small containers are pressure sealed to keep the milk product time-safe and shelf safe.
There is also powdered dairy and non-dairy creamer, which can be kept at room temperature. These are typically made with non-dairy ingredients such as hydrogenated oils.
But, if you buy the milk-based variety, it is still safe to keep it on the counter in a powdered state. After you mix it in water, it should be refrigerated.
What Happens if You Consume Half & Half That’s Gone Bad?
If you consume half and half which has spoiled, you could experience symptoms of food poisoning. However, half that has passed its sell-by date may still be good. Make sure you are careful before you consume it, especially if it seems to have spoiled.
Expiration dates on dairy products should be considered before consuming your half and half. For other foods, this date is more of a recommended sell-by date rather than a recommended consumption date. But, for dairy products, this date is more reliable when deciding whether to consume them or not.
It should be okay if your half and half is only a day or two past the expiration date. But if it has spoiled and you consume it, it can cause food poisoning. Food poisoning is not usually permanent and will be flushed out of your body in a few days.
People with compromised immune systems or digestive issues should be extra careful. In severe cases, food poisoning can cause death if left untreated.
The main causes of death are actually dehydration since it is very hard to keep liquid in your body. Seek medical attention if you suffer from pre-existing conditions or have severe symptoms for several days.
How Can You Tell If Half & Half Has Gone Bad?
Half and half will smell very ripe and look lumpy if it has spoiled. Other indications of spoilage include a bulging container and the fat separating from the wey. If your half and half seem thicker, thinner, and smells spoiled, you should toss it out.
Half and half usually spoils when the milk proteins start to bind together as the milk becomes acidic. Age and bacterial contamination are the most common cause of this spoilage. This is not always harmful to you to consume, but it will probably taste disturbing.
Cheese and yogurt are actually the results of this natural process. However, manufactured cheeses and yogurts are aged in controlled environments. You should research how to make yogurt and cheese prior to making it yourself.
Milk products can grow mold and fungal spores. These are usually the result of contamination. This can occur due to the milk products being left uncovered, pouring older milk into a new gallon, or other methods.
Half and half and other milk products can develop black molds such as Penicillium. This is usually found growing inside the gallon along the walls. If you see this, you should throw it out.
You may also find mold growing along the lid of the half gallon. The presence of these spores indicates they are probably present inside of the half and half and it should be thrown away.
Mold can also be found floating on top of the milk and be green or brown in color. You should always throw it away if you see this.
How Long Can You Store Half & Half In The Fridge?
Half and half can usually be kept in the fridge for up to 12 days after opening it. This time frame varies somewhat based upon when the half and half were originally processed. If the “use-by” or “sell-by” date is passed, then you should only keep the half and half for 3-5 days after this date.
Half and half tends to keep longer in the fridge than other milk products. This is especially true for regular milk, which is only pasteurized in the U.S.A., rather than Ultra High-Temperature Pasteurized (UHT).
Half and half is flash heated at very high temperatures to kill off a large swath of bacteria and contaminants. This process extends the shelf life of the dairy product by up to 7 days when left in the fridge unopened.
This means, that if you do not open your half and half, you can keep it for up to 14 days in the fridge.
Very few half and half brands are unpasteurized, let alone UHT pasteurized. In some states, you can find these products at local farm stands or small town shops.
If you purchase these products, then make sure you consume it within 3-5 days. Due to the processing and handling these products spoil much faster and should be refrigerated within 30n minutes of purchasing them.
How Should Half & Half Be Stored?
Half and half should be stored in the back of the fridge at between 40-32 degrees Fahrenheit (0-4 degrees Celsius). Your half and half will last longer when properly sealed and away from the door. The back of the fridge stays cold more consistently than the door and is a better option for all dairy products.
If you lose the lid for your half and half, you should find an alternative cover. You should never leave half and half uncovered in the fridge. Uncovered dairy products are susceptible to spoilage and cross-contamination.
You can cover your half and half container with a piece of foil, plastic wrap, or other sealers. However, since this seal is not as secure as the original lid, the shelf life will be shortened. If you lose the lid, try to use the half and half within three days.
Alternatively, pour your half and half into a plastic container with a secure lid or a canning jar. Make sure you have a sealed lid on top, though. Write the date you opened it on the container to avoid potentially drinking spoiled half and half.
Can Half and Half Be Stored in the Freezer?
Half and half can be stored in the freezer for 3-6 months. For the best quality, store the half and half in a sealed bag, covered tray, or freezer-safe container. Avoid leaving the frozen half and half uncovered in the freezer.
The best opinion for freezing your half and half is to freeze it in an ice cube tray. Covered ice cube trays are preferable to uncovered trays. Although you can use uncovered ice cube trays, this may impact the taste of the half and half so we recommend covered trays.
Alternatively, you can use freezer-safe sealed bags. However, make sure you pour a serving you will likely use within 3-5 days in the fridge. We recommend using 1-2 cups per bag and thawing them in the fridge rather than on the counter.
Last, you can use a freezer-safe plastic or glass container. Make sure they have a sealed lid and thaw the container in the fridge for optimal freshness. Use within 3-5 days of thawing in the fridge.