How long does Feta Cheese (in Brine / Opened) last?
Storage guidance for Feta Cheese: Keep refrigerated and follow the printed package date and after-opening directions. Plus warning signs and cited sources.
Quick answer
Can I still eat it?
This food cannot be judged from a generic day count. Follow its after-opening storage directions and product-specific package guidance.
Discard it when the label directs, if the package is damaged, or if any warning sign below applies.
Sealed / unopened: Follow the printed package date
Signs Feta Cheese (in Brine / Opened) has gone bad
- Fuzzy mold on the cheese or brine surface.
- Slime or an unusually soft coating.
- Unpleasant yeast, ammonia, or rotten smell.
Discard immediately if
- Any mold growth in brine or on cheese
- Slimy texture with sour or yeasty breakdown
- Left at room temperature (40–140°F) for more than 2 hours (1 hour if temperature is above 90°F / 32°C)
- The package's after-opening limit has passed
Why guidance varies
Feta style, brine strength, packaging, pasteurization, and exposure after opening vary; the product label is the appropriate opened-storage limit.
Get a heads-up before it expires. Search the full database instead.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Feta Cheese (in Brine / Opened) last?
Package guidance: Keep refrigerated and follow the printed package date and after-opening directions; brine formulations and package instructions vary. Sealed / unopened: Follow the printed package date. Keep pasteurized feta refrigerated and, when the package directs, submerged in its original commercial brine. Do not use homemade salt water to extend a product beyond its label.
How can you tell if Feta Cheese (in Brine / Opened) has gone bad?
Signs that Feta Cheese (in Brine / Opened) has gone bad: Fuzzy mold on the cheese or brine surface; Slime or an unusually soft coating; Unpleasant yeast, ammonia, or rotten smell.
What does the date label on Feta Cheese (in Brine / Opened) mean?
Follow the printed package date and after-opening directions. Exact date wording and storage limits vary by product.
Sources for this answer
- A FoodSafety.gov — Listeria — Feta made with pasteurized milk is a safer choice; keep refrigerated foods cold.