Dairy
How long does Soft Cheese (Brie, Camembert) last?
High confidence
Safety concern
How long does Soft Cheese (Brie, Camembert) last? fridge 1 week, freezer 2 months. Plus spoilage signs, sources, and an unopened-vs-opened note.
Fridge
1 week
Pantry
Refrigerate only
Freezer
2 months
Sealed / unopened: 1–2 weeks
Signs Soft Cheese (Brie, Camembert) has gone bad
- Pink, gray, or black mold anywhere on the cheese.
- Strong ammonia smell.
- Very runny or slimy texture.
Still good if
- The white bloomy rind on Brie or Camembert — that's the natural Penicillium rind, fully edible (not mold to fear).
Discard immediately if
- Mold on soft cheese (brie, cream cheese, ricotta) — discard the whole block
- Sour or rancid smell
- Texture is unusually dry, cracked, or slimy
Why guidance varies
Dairy spoilage depends on initial pasteurization, fridge temperature, and how often the container is opened; manufacturer-printed dates assume continuous storage at 40°F (4°C) or below.
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Sources for this answer
- A USDA FoodKeeper — Storage windows and refrigeration guidance for this category.
- A USDA FSIS — Food Product Dating — Date-label interpretation and food-safety baseline.