Are you digging through your pantry and wondering what stored items are still good to eat and what needs to hit the trash? Are you looking at the expiration dates first? We bet you do (like us). Expiration dates can be confusing, right? Well, here's some good news for you. As per this New Times’ article, food expiration dates in the US are completely optional for most products (with the exception of baby food). Those expiry dates have nothing to do with your health and safety. They're just the manufacturer's guess on when their product might not taste as good. Here are the products that you can consume past their expiry date.
Fortunately, there are products in your pantry, you don't have to worry about. The list is long! Vinegars, honey, vanilla, sugar, salt, corn syrup, and molasses will pretty much last forever with no change in quality.
Regular rolled oats will keep for about a year before they start to go rancid. Instant oats can last nearly forever. It's the same with grits versus instant grits. So, there you have it! A little less to worry about in your pantry.
Flour
When it comes to flour, the whiter it is, the longer it will last. That means white flour will be just fine no matter how long it's been sitting in your pantry. However, whole-grain flours like whole-wheat flour tend to acquire a metallic or soapy odor after a few months. This rule of thumb applies to other unrefined grains too. For example, white rice will last for years, while brown rice will only last a few months. Why? Because unrefined grains contain fats, and fats are the first thing to go bad in dry pantry staples.
Breads
And what about bread? Supermarket breads that have oils and preservatives can stay soft for weeks in the fridge. Lean, crusty sourdough bread from the bakery will likely be stale by the next day and might even start to mold before the week is over. We’d recommend slicing and freezing your fancy bread so that you only take out a slice at a time to toast.
Spices
Let’s talk about spices. Sure, your parents may have spices from decades ago, but there's no harm in using them. They may just not be as potent as when they were first bought.
Nuts
If you want to extend the shelf life of tree nuts, store them in the freezer - they'll last a few years instead of just a few months in the pantry.
Beans
Dried beans and lentils can last for years, but they may become tougher and take longer to cook over time. If you're unsure how old your beans are, avoid using them in recipes with acidic ingredients like molasses or tomatoes, as acid can increase cooking time.
Canned foods
As for canned and jarred goods, here's a rule of thumb: metal lasts longer than glass, which lasts longer than plastic. So long as there are no signs of spoilage on the outside or inside of the can or jar, your fruits, vegetables, and meats should be as delicious and fresh as the day you bought them - for years! Don't forget to check the button on the top of jarred goods - if it's bulged, it's time to toss it in your garbage. Soda cans will keep their fizz for years, glass bottles for up to a year, and plastic bottles for a few months.
Here if you're keeping an eye out for signs of spoilage, you should be good.
Oils
Did you know that oils stored in sealed cans are pretty much indestructible? But oils stored in glass bottles, not so much. If you want to make sure your oil is still good, follow your nose. Old oil will start to smell metallic, soapy, or in some cases fishy. If you're not sure, just put a drop on your fingertip and squeeze it. If it feels tacky, it's probably gone rancid.
Salad dressings
When it comes to salad dressings, they can last for months or even over a year in the fridge, especially if they come in bottles with narrow openings. Mustard lasts forever. Ketchup may start to change color, but it's still okay to use. And contrary to popular belief, mayonnaise has a long shelf life too, especially if it doesn't contain ingredients like lemon juice or garlic.
Condiments
Now, talking about the international aisle, it's a haven for long-lasting sauces, pickles, and condiments. There is no limit yet for oyster sauce, pickled chiles, chile sauces, fermented bean sauces, or fish sauce. Soy sauce has a good reputation for lasting longer. Keep yours in the fridge just to avoid any fishy aromas that can develop after a few months in the pantry.
Eggs
Have you ever smelled a bad egg? I bet not! Most of us know what a bad egg smells like because it's a classic example, but have you actually experienced it? You know why? Because eggs can last a long time before going bad.
How long exactly? Let’s do some math. You will find a date on the egg packaging. That's the date the eggs were packed, which can be up to 30 days after they were actually laid. The "sell-by" stamp can be another 30 days after the pack date. So, that's 60 days right there! And in most cases, the eggs will still be good for a few weeks after that.
Milk
Have you experienced this situation? You pour milk into your cereal, only to find out it's clumpy and spoiled. How does it go bad so quickly? Well, it doesn't. From the moment you open a carton of milk, bacteria start breaking down lactose, producing acidic by-products. Once the pH hits 4.6, that's when milk protein clumps.
How can you have milk that lasts longer? Look for "ultra-high temperature" or "UHT" on the label. This type of milk has been pasteurized at high temperatures, hot enough to kill bacteria and even their fragments, and then sealed aseptically into cartons. Most organic milk brands use UHT.
Baby Food
Both in the US and Canada, baby food has a mandatory use-by date. That date represents the latest date that the manufacturer can guarantee the food contains the minimum amount of each nutrient listed on the label, or in the case of formula, that it can still pass through a rubber nipple. Just be on the safe side and follow the expiry date on this one.
In conclusion, it's important to know the shelf life of different foods in your pantry to ensure their freshness and prevent waste. From oils to condiments, eggs, milk, and baby food, each food group has its own characteristics and tips to make them last longer. With proper storage, you can make the most out of your food and enjoy their delicious flavors.
It's also worth mentioning that the "best before" or "expiration date" is just a suggestion, and the actual shelf life can vary depending on the conditions. Trusting your senses, such as smell and touch, is a quick and easy way to determine if the food has gone bad. Remember that a little bit of extra care can go a long way in making sure you and your family enjoy fresh and healthy food.