Pantry Storage
Guidelines for Fresher Food
Pantry Storage Guidelines: As stated on Refrigerator Food Storage, foods cost money.
Increasing fuel prices also drives up the cost of food. It makes good sense to take care of the food you spend your hard-earned money on.
Information on knowing how to store food correctly will prolong the life of your food. It also reduces the risk of E-coli and salmonella, which keeps you and your family safe and healthy.
You become your own five-star restaurant by implementing these proper refrigerator and pantry storage tips. Make your food:
- Safe to eat,
- Retain most of the nutrients,
- Improve your health by eating healthy food
- Retain its maximum texture and flavor,
- Help you save money by not wasting food
Use the handy chart below to help you get the most from your food!
Pantry Storage Guidelines
General Information
Read the label. Check the best before dates. Most foods are safe if stored longer, but flavor and value deteriorate. Throw out anything that is spoiled.
Keep you and your family safe.
When in doubt, throw it out!
Recommended Pantry
Storage Information
The Recommended Storage Times (RST) below apply to unopened packages, unless stated otherwise.
| Food Item | RST |
|---|---|
| Cereal Grains: | Store in airtight containers after opening. Keep away from light and heat. |
| Bread crumbs (dry) | 3 months |
| Cereals (ready-to-eat) | 8 months |
| Cornmeal | 6-8 months |
| Crackers | 6 months |
| Pasta | Several Years |
| Rice | Several Years |
| Rolled oats | 6-10 months |
| White flour | 1 year |
| Whole wheat flour | 3 months |
| Canned Foods: | Times are for unopened cans. After opening, store in airtight container in refrigerator. |
| Evaporated milk | 9-12 months |
| Other canned foods | 1 year |
| Dry Foods: | Store in airtight containers, away from light and heat after opening. |
| Baking powder, baking soda | 1 year |
| Beans, peas, lentils | 1 year |
| Chocolate (baking) | 7 months |
| Cocoa | 10-12 months |
| Coffee (ground) | 1 month |
| Coffee (instant) | 1 year |
| Coffee creamer | 6 months |
| Fruit (dried) | 1 year |
| Gelatin | 1 year |
| Jell-O powder | 2 years |
| Mixes (cake, pancake, biscuit) | 1 year |
| Mixes (pie filling, pudding) | 18 months |
| Potatoes (instant) | 1 year |
| Skim milk powder | Unopened (1 year); Opened (1 month) |
| Sugar (all types) | Several years |
| Tea bags | 1 year |
| Miscellaneous Foods: | n/a |
| Honey | 18 months |
| Jam, jellies | 1 year (once opened, store covered in refrigerator) |
| Mayonnaise, salad dressings | Unopened (6 months); Opened (1-2 months -- store covered in refrigerator) |
| Molasses | 2 years |
| Nuts | 1 month |
| Peanut butter | Unopened (6 months); Opened (2 months) |
| Pectin - liquid | Unopened (1 year); Opened (1 month -- store covered in refrigerator); Powdered (2 years) |
| Sandwich spread | 8 months (once opened, store covered in refrigerator) |
| Syrups - corn, maple, table | 1 year |
| Vegetable oils | 1 year (once opened, store covered in refrigerator) |
| Vinegar | Several years |
| Yeast (dry) | 1 year |
[Note: Information obtained from Texas Agricultural Extension Service, The Texas A&M University System.
Links to Other Information
You might also want to check out the information on these pages:
- Freezer Storage Chart
- Freezer Storage Guidelines
- Dairy Storage Guidelines
- Meat/Fish/Poultry Storage Guidelines
- Kitchen Safety Tips
- Pantry Storage Guidelines
- Picking Produce
- Produce Storage Guidelines
- Refrigerator Storage Guidelines
Here are links to other kitchen-related pages:
Go to: Cooking & Measurements Equivalents
Go to: Kitchen Cleaning
Go to: Kitchen Countertops
Go to: Kitchen Appliance Storage Ideas
Go to: Kitchen Drawer Organizer
Go to: Kitchen Safety Tips
Go to: Kitchen Tips
Go to: Organizing a Kitchen
Go to: Pots & Pans Storage
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