Does ranch dressing made with a mix have to be used all in one day?

No -- ranch dressing from a mix does not have to be used within one day. The information presented here also applies to other salad dressings made in-house. However, the dressing must be used within three days from the date of preparation.

All foods, regardless of whether they are potentially hazardous or not, that are prepared in-house must be used within three days from the date of preparation. The only exception would be those foods that have been designated as pre-prepared foods. These foods can be prepared and frozen for up to four weeks. Given that ranch dressing does not freeze well, it would be highly unlikely that it would be classified as a pre-prepared food.

If the ranch dressing made from a mix is put on a self-service line, then whatever is left after the last person is served must be thrown out. All foods, except for unopened commercially processed foods, that are on a self-service bar must be discarded at the end of service.

Commercially processed ranch dressing is handled differently. An opened container of commercially processed ranch dressing can be saved for seven days but the portions that are on a serving line must be used within three days. Portions that are on a self-service line must be discarded at the end of service.

Individual packets of ranch dressing can be used for up to the "use by" date that is stamped on the package. Individual packets of ranch dressing that are on a serving line can be recovered and reserved at a later time if the packet is still in good condition. This is because it is a commercially packaged.