Once opened, Rice (white or wild) keeps about 6 months in the fridge. Unopened, it keeps about 2 years.
6 months opened in the fridge, against 2 years sealed in the pantry. Green is what this situation leaves you; husk is what it spends.
| Situation | Keeps for |
|---|---|
| Unopened · pantry | 2 years |
| Opened · pantry | 1 year |
| Opened · fridge | 6 months |
Air and warmth are what shorten an opened item's life — the right container buys back the days the packaging gives up once the seal's broken.
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About 6 months refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or below, according to USDA FoodKeeper v128.
Rice (white or wild) is shelf-stable at room temperature: cool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality. Refrigerating it mainly preserves quality rather than safety.
Look for: A rancid or musty smell; Insects, webbing, or larvae in the package; Clumping or visible moisture; Mould, or a slimy surface on cooked grains and pasta. Those are the general signs for grains, beans & pasta — USDA FoodKeeper v128 publishes no spoilage note for Rice (white or wild) specifically. Never taste something to test it — when in doubt, throw it out.