Citrus fruit Per USDA FoodKeeper
On the counterCounter
10 days
cool, dry place
In the fridgeFridge
10–21 days
at or below 40°F (4°C)
In the freezerFreezer
Not recommended
texture or safety suffers
Quick answer
Yes. Citrus fruit lasts 10–21 days in the fridge. After that, or sooner if stored badly, it spoils: watch for the signs below.
How to tell if citrus fruit is bad
Smell
Fermented, sour or musty odour.
Texture
Soft, mushy or leaking spots, or wrinkled skin with soft flesh.
Colour
Dark bruising that spreads, or browning inside.
Mould
White, grey or green fuzz — discard soft produce; cut firm produce generously.
Citrus fruit past the expiration date
Best-by and sell-by
FoodKeeper gives unopened citrus fruit 10 days in the pantry or 10–21 days in the fridge, counted from the day you buy it. "Best-by" and "sell-by" describe quality and stock rotation, not safety; only infant formula carries a federally required use-by date.
Past the date
Citrus fruit past its best-by date is usually safe if stored well; check smell, look and taste before using.
How to keep citrus fruit fresh longer
- Store unwashed; wash just before eating.
- Keep ethylene producers (apples, bananas, avocados) away from produce that over-ripens.
- Refrigerate once cut, in a covered container.
More about citrus fruit
FAQ
How long does it take for citrus fruit to go bad?
10–21 days in the fridge, per USDA FoodKeeper.
Can citrus fruit expire?
FoodKeeper gives unopened citrus fruit 10 days in the pantry or 10–21 days in the fridge, counted from the day you buy it. "Best-by" and "sell-by" describe quality and stock rotation, not safety; only infant formula carries a federally required use-by date.
What happens if you eat bad citrus fruit?
Usually an unpleasant taste rather than illness, but discard anything mouldy, rancid or smelling off.
How do you keep citrus fruit from going bad?
Store unwashed; wash just before eating.
Numbers on this page come from USDA FoodKeeper and FSIS guidance. Last verified November 2026. How we verify our data · Report a wrong number