A classic lunchtime snack or meal, tuna salad is an economical and versatile option for many home cooks. This staple becomes even more convenient if you make a big batch of it to eat throughout the week, but it's important to make sure that you know when your salad has spoiled.

According to the USDA, tuna salad is good for 3 to 5 days after its prep date if stored in an airtight container in the fridge, at any temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Ways to tell if tuna salad has gone bad are to sniff for a foul smell or look for any signs of mold, dark spots, or green/brown spots.

If 5 days have passed since you made your tuna salad, toss it to avoid food poisoning, even if it looks or smells okay. Remember to store your salad in the coldest part of your fridge (AKA not on your fridge door), and, do not let the salad sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour when it’s hot out), per USDA.