Goat cheese shelf life and safety guidelines

Goat cheese spoilage rates vary significantly based on moisture content. Fresh goat cheese, such as chèvre, has a high moisture content that accelerates spoilage, typically lasting only five to seven days once opened when refrigerated. In contrast, aged or hard goat cheeses have lower moisture levels, allowing them to remain usable for two to four weeks after opening.

Food safety concerns are primarily linked to Listeria, particularly in soft cheeses made from unpasteurized milk. Health authorities, including the FDA and CDC, advise high-risk groups—such as pregnant individuals, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems—to exercise caution with unpasteurized soft cheeses. In the United States, regulations require pasteurization for fresh cheeses aged less than sixty days, meaning most commercially available goat cheese is pasteurized.