Sources & References
All food safety information on StillSafeFood is based on official USDA, FDA, CDC, and equivalent government guidance. We do not invent storage rules or use non-authoritative sources. The links below point to the original government resources we draw from.
USDA FoodKeeper
Our primary food database is derived from the USDA FoodKeeper dataset, which provides storage time recommendations for hundreds of foods across refrigerator, freezer, and pantry storage. FoodKeeper is maintained by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) in partnership with Cornell University and the Food Marketing Institute.
USDA FoodKeeper App — foodsafety.gov →USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)
The USDA FSIS publishes guidance on safe food handling, the 2-hour rule, the temperature danger zone (40°F–140°F), and specific food safety recommendations for meat, poultry, and egg products. Our room-temperature limits and refrigerator storage windows for animal products are based on FSIS guidance.
USDA FSIS — Safe Food Handling and Preparation →FDA Food Safety
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) publishes food safety guidance for produce, dairy, seafood, and packaged foods. Our pantry storage times for non-meat items and guidance on dairy and plant-based products draw from FDA recommendations.
FDA — Safe Food Handling →FoodSafety.gov
FoodSafety.gov is a collaborative website managed by USDA, FDA, and the CDC. We use their refrigerator and freezer storage charts as a cross-reference for storage times, and their published food safety basics as a check on our 2-hour rule guidance.
FoodSafety.gov — 4 Steps to Food Safety →CDC Food Safety
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes food safety data including estimates of foodborne illness rates, high-risk foods, and guidance on preventing foodborne illness at home. We reference CDC publications for context on the public health significance of food safety practices.
CDC — Food Safety →Our approach to safety rules
When official sources give a range (e.g., 3–5 days), we use the more conservative end of the range to ensure we never suggest food is safe longer than the guidance supports.
We do not publish food safety guidance beyond what official sources support. If you believe any information on StillSafeFood contradicts official guidance, please contact us.