food storage

The cookout is over and there is coleslaw on the counter. Does it need to go straight into the fridge, or can it sit out a while longer? And what about the bag of coleslaw mix you have not opened yet? Does coleslaw need to be refrigerated? The short answer

You made a big batch of coleslaw for a cookout and there is a container left in the fridge. Or you have a bag of coleslaw mix you bought a few days ago and are not sure if it is still good. Does coleslaw go bad? The short answer

You just made a big batch of oatmeal for meal prep and are wondering where to store it. Or you are asking whether the dry oats in the pantry should be in the fridge instead. Does oatmeal need to be refrigerated? The short answer is

You find a container of oats in the back of the pantry and the best-by date passed several months ago. Or a box of flavored instant oatmeal packets that have been sitting there since last winter. Does oatmeal go bad? The short answer is

You just finished cooking and the oil is on the counter. Does it need to go in the fridge? Should it have been in the fridge all along? Does cooking oil need to be refrigerated? The short answer is

There is a bottle of vegetable oil in the back of the pantry and you are not sure how old it is. Or a jug of canola oil that has been open for a while and smells a little off. Does cooking oil go bad? The short answer is

You just drizzled caramel sauce over your dessert and the jar is sitting on the counter. Does it go back in the fridge? And what about the unopened jar in the pantry? Does that need to be cold too? Does caramel sauce need to be refrigerated? The short answer

There is a jar of caramel sauce in the fridge and you are not sure how long it has been open. Or you have an unopened jar in the pantry past its best-by date and want to know if it is still good. Does caramel sauce go bad? The short answer

You just made chocolate milk and the bottle is sitting on the counter. Does it go back in the fridge or can it live in the pantry like it did before you opened it? Does chocolate syrup need to be refrigerated? The short answer is

There is a bottle of chocolate syrup in the back of the fridge and you are not sure how long it has been open. Or there is an unopened bottle in the pantry that is past its best-by date and you are wondering if it is still good. The short answer is

You are mid-recipe and wondering how long cream cheese can sit on the counter. Or you are asking whether it needs refrigeration at all. Does cream cheese need to be refrigerated? The short answer is

You find a half-open block of cream cheese in the back of the fridge. The date is borderline, or it has been sitting there for a couple of weeks and you are not sure whether to use it or toss it. Does cream cheese go bad? The short answer is