FOOD STORAGE TIMES
TOPIC: Staples
REFERENCE: Cupboard Storage Chart - Michigan State University
STAPLES RECOMMENDED STORAGE HANDLING HINTS
AT 70F.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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