When you feed your baby, you always want to do the right thing. And the questions often arise: How long can you keep a small glass jar? Where to store it? What to do if in doubt? Discover the advice of Marianne Benoit Truong Canh, vice-president of the National Council of the Order of Midwives.
How long can you keep a small glass jar for baby?
A small closed jar can be kept until the date indicated on the packaging. “The small industrial pots are sterilized. If the packaging is intact, they remain safe until their expiry date,” recalls Marianne Benoit Truong Canh. Concretely, as long as the jar is not opened and the lid is in good condition, it can be kept several months, even several yearsaccording to the date indicated by the manufacturer.
Before opening:
- Check the expiration date before purchasing or opening a jar.
- Store the jars in a clean, dry cupboard, away from heat and direct light (not near the oven or a radiator).
- Avoid putting them in the refrigerator as long as they are closed, unless otherwise stated on the packaging.
Do not consume the jar if:
- The lid is bulging, damaged or leaking (sterilization may be compromised).
- You don’t hear the little “pop” when opening (a sign that the air gap was indeed present).
- The smell or texture seems abnormal when opened. If the pot smells bad, is slimy or has unexpected lumps, it’s best not to take chances..
After opening, how long should a small jar be kept in the refrigerator?
The refrigerator helps slow the multiplication of bacteria. But he doesn’t destroy them. Once a small pot is opened, it becomes more fragile in terms of health.
“The main rule to remember: a small opened jar can be kept maximum 24 hours in the refrigerator. Beyond that, even if it looks normal, it is better to throw it away,” advises Marianne Benoit Truong Canh.
Good reflexes to adopt
- Always use a clean spoon. Change spoons at each meal: a previously used spoon can bring germs, even if it seems clean.
- Close the jar tightly after each use. An airtight seal slows the development of bacteria and preserves freshness.
Practical advice for better conservation
- Store jars in the center of the refrigerator (the coldest and most stable zone).
- Never reheat a small pot more than once. This encourages the multiplication of bacteria.
- Label the jar with the date and time it was opened. It’s simple and very useful so as not to exceed 24 hours without realizing it.
- Always trust your senses. If the color has changed, the smell is unusual, or the texture seems strange to you, do not give it to your baby, even if 24 hours have not passed.
How to store homemade baby food? And for how long?
Homemade purees are tasty, but they are also more fragile than commercial onesbecause they do not contain preservatives. Their shelf life depends on how they are stored and the ingredients used.
How to store small homemade jars in the refrigerator?
- The purees of vegetables alone can be preserved up to 72 hours in the refrigerator, in a clean, tightly closed container.
- Purees that contain meat, fish or eggs are more sensitive. Better to consume them within 24 hours.
Marianne Benoit Truong Canh’s advice: “Label the jars with the contents and the date of preparation so as not to make a mistake.”
How to store small homemade jars in the freezer?
- Homemade purees can be stored 2 to 3 months in the freezer if they are in clean, airtight containers.
- Important: always leave the purees cool completely before freezing them. This limits the proliferation of bacteria and prevents condensation in the pot.
- To defrost them, place them in the refrigerator or reheat gently. Never let them defrost at room temperature !
Marianne Benoit Truong Canh’s advice: “ Prepare small portionseasier to consume quickly and store without risk.
Can we freeze small industrial baby food jars? And for how long?
Good news: yes, you can freeze small industrial baby food jars. It’s even a practical solution to avoid food waste. But not just anyhow.
In what cases can you freeze them?
You can only freeze a small jar if:
- It has already been opened.
- Its content has not been warmed.
- He wasn’t touched by a spoon who has been in contact with the baby’s mouth
Why these precautions? “Because saliva can carry bacteria. And for a toddler, we don’t take unnecessary risks,” emphasizes Marianne Benoit Truong Canh.
And to specify: “ No need to freeze a jar that is still closed. Small commercial jars are designed to keep for a long time at room temperature before opening.
How long to keep them in the freezer?
- Approximately 1 to 3 months in the freezer.
- For better quality (taste, texture, vitamins), the ideal is to consume them within the month
What about defrosting?
- Defrost in the refrigerator or gently in the microwave / bain-marie.
- Once defrosted, the small jar should be consumed quickly.
Can you refreeze a small jar that has already been thawed?
No. Never. The rule is simple:
- We defrost.
- We warm up.
- We throw away the rest.
“ Refreezing increases the risk of bacteria growth », recalls Marianne Benoit Truong Canh.
How to warm up a baby pot safely?
Some important rules allow to avoid burns And to limit health risks of your child.
Which method to choose?
- The microwave.
- The water bath.
Both methods are valid. The important thing is to reheat gently and check the temperature carefully before feeding the baby.
The right actions to adopt
- Do not reheat a pot only once.
- Mix the contents well to have a uniform temperature.
- Test the temperature on your wrist or the inside of your forearm: the dish should be lukewarm, not hot
- Never put an already heated pot back in the fridge. If there is any left, it is better to throw it away. Exposure to cold then heat promotes the proliferation of bacteria, warns Marianne Benoit Truong Canh.
How do you know if a small jar is still good or if you should throw it away?
When it comes to baby food, prevention is better than cure. Even though it hurts to throw away food, it’s better to be careful. Throw away the pot without hesitation if:
- The smell is unusual : acidic, strong or “weird”.
- The texture has changed : it has become lumpy, too liquid or strange.
- There are bubbles or foama clear sign of fermentation.
- Baby has already eaten from it and the jar has been in the fridge for too long : saliva contains bacteria that can multiply.
Remember: babies’ immune systems are fragile. A contaminated small jar can cause vomiting, diarrhea stomach ache or food infection…
How to properly carry a potty when going out with baby?
Dating a Baby Asks a little organizationespecially for meals. With a few simple actions, you can transport small pots safely and avoid unpleasant surprises:
- Use a insulated bag with ice pack. This keeps the potty cool and limits the development of bacteria, especially in summer or during longer journeys.
- Favor small formats. They are easier to transport and avoid throwing away food if baby does not finish his meal.
- Never leave an open jar at room temperature. Once opened, it must remain cool. Heat encourages the multiplication of microbes!
In other words, storing small pots properly is above all a matter of good reflexes. With these easy actions, you protect your baby’s health every day. And remember: you are already doing your best. And that’s the main thing !