Storage Life of Groceries

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Food Shelf-Life Recommendations


Food Product Storage Life In Months
STAPLES
Baking Powder 18 or exp. date
Baking Soda 24
Bisquick Exp. date
Bouillon 24
Cereals 6-12
Chocolate

Pre-melted

Semi Sweet

12

18

18

Chocolate Syrup 24
Cocoa Mixes 8
Cocoa Mix 24
Coffee 24
Coffee Lighteners (dry) 9
Cornmeal 12
Cornstarch 18
Argo Cornstarch Indefinite
Country Time Lemonade Drink Mix 24
Crystal Light Drink Mix 24
Tang Drink Mix 24
Kool Aid Drink Mix 18-24
White Flour

Whole wheat

6-8

6-8

Gelatin, all types 18
Jell-O 24
Grits 12
Honey 12
Honey 12-24-
Jellies, Jams 12
Molasses 12+
Marshmallow Cream 3-4
Mayonnaise 2-3
Milk

Condensed

Evaporated

12

12

6

Pasta 24
White Rice 24+
Minute Rice 18
Bottled Salad Dressings 10-12
Salad Oils 6
Oil – Crisco or Puritan 24
Corn Oil, 18mo
Crisco  Shortening Indef.
Vinegar - Container With Plastic Lid Indef.
Salt Indef.
Sugar

Brown

Confectioners

Granulated

Indef

18

24+

24+

Syrups 12
Tea

Bags

Instant

18

36

24

Vinegar 24+
MIXES AND PACKAGED FOODS
Biscuit, Brownie, Muffin Mix 9
Cake Mixes 9
Casseroles, complete or add own meat 9-12
Cookies 2-3 wks
Krusteaz Mixes 24
Pillsbury Mixes 18
Betty Crocker Mixes 8-12+
Jiffy Mixes 24
Crackers 3
Stove Top Dressing Mix Exp. Date
Frostings

Canned

3

8

Hot-Roll Mix 18
Pancake Mix 6-9
Pie Crust Mix 8
Pies and Pastries 2-3 days
Potatoes, Instant 6-12
Pudding Mixes 12
Rice Mixes 6
Rice-a-Roni Exp. Date
Pasta-Roni Exp. Date
Rice & Sauce 10-15
Noodles & Sauce 12-24
Pasta & Sauce 9-12
Sauce/Gravy Mix 6-12
Soup Mix 12
Soup Base 120 mos
Country Kitchen Soup 36
Toaster Pastries 2-3
CANNED AND DRIED FOODS
Canned Baby foods

Canned Tomato Sauce

12

12

Canned  Cheese Sauce 24-36
Canned Tuna, Fish & Seafood 5 years
Canned  Cranberry Sauce Exp. Date
Canned Fruits 36+
Canned Fruit Pie Fillings 24-36
Dinty Moore

Spam

Ham Chunks

Chili

Dried Beef

Indefinite
Black Label Ham Exp. Date
Canned Meat

Canned Chicken

36

36

Canned Soup Exp. Date
Canned Tomatoes 36+
Canned Vegetables 24-48
Canned Baked Beans 24-36
Canned Black Beans 24
Canned French Fried Onions 24
Canned Ragu Spaghetti Sauce Use By Date
Canned Five Brothers Pasta Sauce 24
Canned Fruit Juices 6
Juices 12-24
Dried Fruits 6
Dried Vegetables 12
Dried Peas & Beans 12
SPICES, HERBS, CONDIMENTS, AND EXTRACTS
Catsup 18-24
Chili Sauce 24
Mustard, Yellow Prepared 24
Jar Pickles 12-24
Spices 12-24 mos
Steak Sauce 24
Tabasco Sauce 60
Extracts

Vanilla

24

12

Vegetables, dehydrated flakes 6
OTHERS
Cheese, Parmesan grated 10
Coconut, Shredded canned or pkg. 12
Meat Substitutes TVP; imitation bacon bits 12
Metered-Caloric Products, instant breakfast 6
Nuts

In shell pkg

Nutmeats pkg.

4

24

3

Peanut Butter 6-9
Jif Peanut Butter 24
Popcorn 24
Freeze Dried Mushrooms 24
Whipped Topping (dry) 12
Yeast (dry) Exp. date

 

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