Of course, mussels last for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly. Mussels, 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 shucked mussels.

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

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

Mussels should smell fresh like the sea and not like old dead fish.

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 Mussels to extend their shelf life?

Store mussels in a 35-40 degree Fahrenheit refrigerator in a container without a lid, as they need to breathe. They will be further protected, yet able to breathe, if wrapped in newspaper. The newspaper will also catch any water that may leak from the mussels. This also means no plastic bags when storing mussels.

Freezing is NOT an option for fresh mussels (in the shell) - it would kill them!

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

Interesting facts about Mussels:

Don't clean mussels until it's time for preparation! Actually, don't even buy mussels that look too clean.
The shells should have the byssus (beard) still attached to the shell since that is also attached to the actual meat. When the byssus is pulled from the shell the mussel is shocked, which in turn reduces its shelf life.

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

How long do mussels last? That depends. How long does wine last? In general, foods last only as long as the quicker expiring ingredient in a dish.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Mussels 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 Mussels.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Mussels 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!