Of course, clams last for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly. Clams, like a lot of other proteins, may have a use by date and this date should be fairly accurate as to when to safely use up any remaining clams.

How to tell if Clams are bad, rotten or spoiled?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness.

Although not a perfect test, your senses are usually the most reliable instruments to tell if clams have gone bad. A common trait of bad clams is an unpleasant smell. The most important thing to watch for with live hard shelled clams is that they are indeed alive. Clams shells should be closed, or able to close. If a clam shell is open, tap it on the counter - this should force the clam to tightly close its shell. If it remains open after being tapped, then the clam is dead and should be tossed out. If a closed clam is tapped, it should not open. Soft shelled clams cannot close their shells, so they have a shorter shelf life than hard shelled clams. If the siphon of a soft shell clam is touched, it should move slightly. If it doesn't move, then it is dead and should be tossed. Clam shells should also be clean and unbroken.

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled foods so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your foods before their shelf life has expired!

How to store Clams to extend their shelf life?

You can help clams keep fresh longer by storing them in your refrigerator immediately after purchase. Live clams should be kept refrigerated from 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit in a ventilated container - not in water and not in a an airtight bag. This should keep them alive until preparation time. Once prepared, clams should be stored in a tightly closed container to keep out moisture and other contaminants.

For a long-term option, clams can be frozen to preserve their taste if a freezer safe container is used.

Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

How long are Clams good for when prepared in a dish?

How long do clams last? That depends. How long does wine last? In general, clams may be one of the quicker expiring ingredients in a dish but last only as long as the quickest expiring ingredient in the recipe.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Clams lasts, our content incorporates research from multiple resources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration. In addition, we scoured the web for informative articles and reports related to food safety, food storage and the shelf life of Clams.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Clams shelf life information on Eat By Date is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary and that our advice should only be taken as an opinion and not a replacement for your health care professional. Please eat responsibly!