These food shelf life recomendations are brought to you by eggstrafresh.
Maximum shelf-life recommendations from the LDS church and other sources assuming the food is stored in airtight containers (with oxygen-absorbing material for the dry/powdered items) at 75 degrees or cooler:
30 years
Beans dry (pinto, kidney, navy & black) Corn, dried
Macaroni and spaghetti (not whole-grain)
Oats, rolled Peas & lentils, dry
Potato flakes
Rice, white
Salt
Wheat (whole kernels)
20 years
Milk, powdered Sugar, white granulated
8-10 years
Fruit drink mix, powdered 6-8 years
Fruits and vegetables, freeze-dried
Soybeans
5 years Pudding mix, powdered Flour, white
3-4 years
Hot cocoa mix, powdered
2-3 years
Canned meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, soups Refried beans, dried 1 year or less
Brown rice & other whole grains (except wheat)
Cornmeal
Milk, soy milk and juices in cans or aseptic boxes (1-2 years)
Nuts, nut butters
Oils, shortening Soft dried fruit (raisins, craisins, dried apricots, etc.) Spices and seasonings
Whole wheat flour and other whole grain/bean flours
Yeast, baking powder, baking soda, cornstarch (1-2 years) These food shelf life recomendations are brought to you by eggstrafresh.
Purchase Fresh Food Provide safe and nutritious food for you and your family by purchasing food within the food manufacturer's freshness dates. Meat, fish, poultry, dairy, and fresh bakery products are dated with a "sell by date" to indicate how long the food can be displayed for sale. Also, the "sell by date" allows a reasonable amount of time after the purchase in which the product can be used. Consumers should always purchase food before the "sell by date" expires. Cereals, snack foods, frozen entrees, and dry packaged foods may be marked with a "best if used by date." The products are not at their best quality after this date, but can still be used safely for a short period of time thereafter. Other foods, such as unbaked breads, are marked with an "expiration" or "use by date," which means the product should not be consumed after that date. Do not purchase any food not used by that date. The freshness date is located on the food package and serves as an indicator of product quality.
Some foods, such as canned foods, have a product code stamped on the bottom or top of each container providing information such as "use by date" or "best quality date," the name of the plant where the food was manufactured, and the lot number. The code number may not be consistent from one manufacturer to another. For instance, food manufacturers may indicate the "use by date" as month and year (APR02) stamped on top of the can. APR02 means the food should be consumed by April of 2002. The first letter and number (corresponding to month and year) of the stamped code also may indicate "use by dates." F2 would indicate that the product is of highest quality if consumed by June of 2002. Consumers may contact the food manufacturer directly to determine "use by dates." Many food manufacturers provide a 1-800 number for consumer questions. Generally, canned goods have a one-year expiration date from the date of manufacture before quality diminishes.
When grocery shopping, pick-up refrigerated and frozen foods just prior to checkout. Refrigerated foods should be cold, and frozen foods should be solid with no evidence of thawing. Refrigerated and frozen food should be bagged together. After grocery shopping, drive straight home and store food in the refrigerator or freezer. It is important to keep refrigerated and frozen foods out of the danger zone of 40°F to 140°F.
These food shelf life recomendations are brought to you by eggstrafresh.
