Because its never a good time to toss perfectly fine pantry staples.
Expiration dates are one of the most problematic parts of our nation’s growing issue with food waste.
How do expiration dates play into this, you ask?
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The exception is for infant formula and some baby food, which have mandated expiration dates for safety purposes.
If a food has developed such characteristics, it should not be eaten," states theFSIS.
But for the best quality, use it within two years.
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High-acid canned goods like tomato sauce and canned fruit will keep up to 18 months.
Temperatures below 85 F are best.
Check your pantry every few weeks and use canned goods you have had on hand for a while.
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Don’t purchase bulging, rusted, leaking, or deeply dented cans.
“The USDAoffers a lot of good information on food canning.
Soy Sauce
Unopened, this magic elixir will keep for three years (!)
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or longer in the pantry.
Once it’s opened, keep it in the fridge and it’ll last almost as long.
Honey
You’ve got two years to use up your honey bear.
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Just verify to keep it in a cool, dark place, orit might crystallize.
And even if it does, it’s safeto eat(and delicious).
Store it in the fridge, and it’ll keep for longer.
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To keep dried fruit even longer, store it in the freezer.
Once the box is opened, however, the bags will last just 18 months.
Hemp Seeds and Chia Seeds
These pint-sized plant-based protein powerhouses will both keep for a year.
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Environmental Defense Fund.Every Year the U.S.
Throws Away 160 Billion Pounds of Food.
These Students Set out to Do Something about It.
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Accessed September 21, 2022.
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Oatmeal keeps cholesterol in check, helps fight against heart disease, and keeps you full until lunch, thanks to its soluble fiber. Look for old-fashioned or steel-cut varieties.Try this:For a savory breakfast, drizzle cooked oatmeal with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan.Anfisa Kameneva / EyeEm/Getty Images
