This is because unrefined grains contain fats, and fats are the first thing to go off when it comes to dry pantry staples. Refined white rice, for example, will last for years, while brown rice will last only for months. This whiter-equals-longer rule of thumb is true for nonground grains as well. White flour is almost certainly fine to use, no matter its age. Whole-wheat and other whole-grain flours can acquire a metallic or soapy odor within a few months. Regular steel-cut or rolled oats will last for a year or so before they start to go rancid, but parcooked oats (or instant oats) can last nearly forever. (Same with grits versus instant grits.) Vinegars, honey, vanilla or other extracts, sugar, salt, corn syrup and molasses will last virtually forever with little change in quality. Let’s start with the things you definitely don’t have to worry about. (I, for one, would never leave the fridge door open for minutes at a time as I contemplate what to snack on.) Food manufacturers also tend to be rather conservative with those dates, knowing that not all of us keep our pantries dark and open our refrigerators as minimally as necessary. It acts solely as the manufacturer’s best guess as to when its product will no longer be at peak quality, whatever that means. Not only that, but it has nothing to do with safety. Department of Agriculture calls it, is completely voluntary for all products (with the exception of baby food, more on that later). Here’s the first thing you should know: Expiration dates are not expiration dates.įood product dating, as the U.S. Have you been reacquainting yourself with the forgotten spices and fusty beans from the depths of your pantry? How fusty is too fusty? When is the right time to throw something out? And what about fresh ingredients? If I’m trying to keep supermarket trips to a minimum, how long can my eggs, dairy and produce keep? The first thing you should know? The dates, as we know them, have nothing to do with safety. From the New York Times, JanuThe Food Expiration Dates You Should Actually Follow
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