Cheese
The answer
Opened hard cheese (cheddar, parmesan) lasts 3–4 weeks in the fridge and about 6 months unopened.
Caution On hard cheese, you can cut mold away — remove at least 1 inch around and below the spot, keeping the knife out of the mold.
How long it keeps
Fridge (40°F) 3–4 weeks (opened) safe window
Freezer (0°F) 6 months best quality
Room temp 2 hours max then discard
Discard Discard soft or shredded cheese at the first sign of mold.
The answer
Opened soft cheese (brie, fresh mozzarella, queso fresco) lasts about 1 week in the fridge.
How long it keeps
Fridge (40°F) ~1 week (opened) safe window
Freezer (0°F) Does not freeze well best quality
Room temp 2 hours max then discard
Discard Discard moldy soft cheese entirely — do not cut around it.
By state & packaging
State Fridge Freezer
Hard cheese, opened 3–4 weeks 6 months
Hard cheese, unopened 6 months 6 months
Soft cheese, opened ~1 week Does not freeze well
Shredded cheese, opened 1 month 3 months
Signs it has gone bad
✕ Mold on soft or shredded cheese
✕ Ammonia smell
✕ Slimy or greasy surface
FAQ
Can I cut mold off cheese and eat the rest?
Only on hard cheese: cut at least 1 inch around and below the mold spot. For soft, crumbled, sliced, or shredded cheese, discard the whole package.