FOOD STORAGE TIMES TOPIC: Staples REFERENCE: Cupboard Storage Chart - Michigan State University STAPLES RECOMMENDED STORAGE HANDLING HINTS AT 70F. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Baking Powder 18 mon. or expir. Keep dry and covered Baking soda 2 years " " " " Cereals unopened 6 - 12 mon. Refold package liner tightly after opening opened 2 - 3 mon. cooked 6 mon. Chocolate semi-sweet 2 years Keep cool unsweetened 18 mon. " " Cocoa mixes 8 mon. Cover tightly Chocolate syrup unopened 2 years " " Chocolate syrup opened 6 mon. Refr. after opening Coffee cans-unopened 2 yrs. cans-opened 2 wks. Refr. after opening instant-unopened 1 - 2 yrs. instant-opened 2 wks. Cornmeal 18 mon. Keep tightly closed Cornstarch 6 - 8 mon. " " " Flour white 6 - 8 mon. Keep in air tight cont. whole wheat 6 - 8 mon. Keep refr. Store air tight Honey 12 mon. Cover tightly. Refr. after opening to extend life Molasses unopened 12 mon. Keep tightly closed opened 6 mon. Refr. to extend life Marshmallows 2 - 3 mon. Keep air tight Mayonnaise unopened 2 - 3 mon. Refr. after opening Milk condensed or evaporated 12 mon. Once opened, store in non-fat dry - unopened 6 mon. air tight containers - opened 3 mon. Pasta 2 yrs. Once opened, store air tight Salad dressings bottled - unopened 10-12 mon. Refr. after opening - opened 3 mon. made from mix 2 wks. Salad oils unopened 6 mon. Refr. after opening opened 1-3 mon. " " " Shortenings -solid 8 mon. Refr. not needed Sugar brown 4 mon. Airtight containers confectioners 18 mon. " " granulated 2 yrs. Cover tightly Vinegar opened 1 yr. " " TOPIC: Mixes and Packaged Foods REFERENCE: Cupboard Storage Chart - Michigan State University MIXES AND RECOMMENDED STORAGE HANDLING HINTS PACKAGED FOODS AT 70F. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Biscuit, brownie, & muffin 9 mon. Keep cool and dry Cake mixes 9 mon. " " " " angel food 1 yr. Casseroles complete or add own meat 9 - 12 mon. " " " " Cookies homemade 2 - 3 wks. Airtight containers packaged 2 mon. Keep box tightly closed Crackers 8 mon. " " " " Frosting canned 3 mon. Ref. leftovers mix 8 mon. Hot roll mix 18 mon. Airtight container Pancake mix 6 - 9 mon. " " Pie crust mix 8 mon. Keep cool and dry Potatoes instant 6 - 12 mon. " " " " Pudding mixes 12 mon. " " " " Sauce and gravy mixes 6 - 12 mon. " " " " Soup mixes 12 mon. " " " " TOPIC: Canned and Dried Foods Canned and RECOMMENDED STORAGE HANDLING HINTS Dried Foods AT 70F. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Canned foods, unopened 12 mon. Keep cool Canned foods, opened baby food 2 - 3 days Refr. after opening* fish and seafood 2 days fruit 1 wk. meats 2 days pickles, olives 5 days vegetables 3 days Fruits - dried 6 mon. Keep cool, air tight Canned fruit juices 9 mon. " " Vegetables - dried 1 yr. " " " " *The FDA is concerned about storing foods in opened cans because of cans using lead solder. FDA now recommends acid foods like fruits and tomatoes once opened should be transferred to glass or plastic TOPIC: Spices, Herbs, Condiments and Extracts REFERENCE: Cupboard Storage Chart, Michigan State University SPICES, HERBS, RECOMMENDED STORAGE HANDLING HINTS & CONDIMENTS AT 70F --------------------------------------------------------------------- Catsup, chili sauce unopened 12 mon. opened 1 mon. Mustard, prepared yellow unopened 2 yrs. opened 6-8 mons. May be refrigerated Spices and herbs whole 1-2 mons. Store airtight, dry, ground 6 mon. away from sunlight and herbs 6 mon. heat herb/spice blend 6 mon. Vanilla - unopened 2 yrs. Keep tightly closed opened 1 yr. " " " Other extracts opened 1 yr. " " " Utah State Extension Service