A lot of people are planning for the possibility of emergencies by keeping extra food in their pantries. Although freeze-dried foods last for the longest time while stored in the refrigerator, they can be costly.
Canned products can be stored, and if maintained in order according to deadlines for expiration date, those that are earliest can be used first. But what does that mean?
The “Sell-By” date will be found on perishables such as cheese and meat. You must purchase these before the expiration date. It is a mandated government date and is only valid for perishables such as meat.
The “Best if Used By (or Before)” date is a purely voluntary date that the manufacturer provides to suggest the highest quality or flavor for their products.
The “Use-By” date is the final date that the manufacturer believes the product is at its best and can also be offered for free. They are typically available on shelves, such as mustard, ketchup or peanut butter.
Perishable items like meats, produce and dairy products should be brought at home and stored in a refrigerator after they are purchased. The dates on these items must be observed and if you aren’t able to use the item by this date, some food items such as meat can be frozen to prolong the shelf life of their products.
Once frozen, they may be used after the expiry date on them if they are frozen constantly at 0 degrees F or lower. It is recommended to use frozen meat items within six months after the date of purchase.
While careful freezing can ensure food safety for a long time however, the quality, particularly the texture and flavor will diminish over time.
Fish, poultry and meat should be refrigerated rather than those on your kitchen counter. If any of the food items appear to be spoiled by freezer burn or has an unusual appearance, color or smell the food could be spoilt and must be thrown away.
The canned items are also dated (best to use them by”) as well as a variety of websites available on the internet, like webmd.com where you can find extensive lists of items and dates, as well as how long they’re safe to consume after the date on the packaging.
When you place the items on your shelves for storage Simply use an black marker to label the date of each item by large numerals. You can then arrange your shelves so that you’ll use the oldest first.
Below are estimates of how long items stored can last after purchasing and storing food items.
- Vegetables and fruits are great for a period of one to two years following when they reach the “best if used by” date.
- Crackers and cereals are okay for a minimum of 6-8 months following the date of the purchase.
- White rice can last between 4 and 5 years.
- Tea bags and coffee bags up to 3 months
- Freeze coffee that has been dried for 2 to 20 years.
- Canned beans for a year
- Canned Tuna for 2 – 5 years
- Lentils and dried beans are great for years!
Careful storage of your food will ensure that you have the most nutritious food on hand for your family. If the power goes out there’s no need to panic.
Check out your backup items on the shelves of your pantry Get creative with tuna from a can as well as some rice and vegetables!
