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If you’ve ever thrown away food because the date printed on the package had passed, you’re certainly not the only one. Food dates can be confusing, and a date on the label doesn’t always mean the food suddenly becomes unsafe the next day.
Terms such as “best by” and “sell by” often relate to freshness or quality rather than an exact point when food becomes unsafe. How the food was stored matters too. A sealed package kept somewhere cool and dry can have a very different shelf life from one that has been exposed to heat, moisture, or pests.
That said, a passed date isn’t a reason to ignore signs of spoilage. Mold, unusual odors, damaged packaging, leaks, discoloration, or other changes are good reasons to throw something away.
Before cleaning out your pantry or refrigerator, check these 14 foods. Many can remain usable beyond the date printed on the package when stored properly.
Oats
Rolled oats can stay usable for a long time when kept in an airtight container in a cool, dry pantry. They’re a handy food to keep around because they can be used for breakfast, baking, or even as a thickener for certain recipes.
Before using older oats, check for insects, moisture, mold, or an unusual smell. If they smell rancid or look questionable, toss them.
Peanut Butter
Commercial peanut butter has a surprisingly long shelf life. An unopened jar can often remain usable after the printed date when kept in a cool, dry place.
Natural peanut butter is a little different because the oils can separate and eventually turn rancid. Stirring is normal, but a stale or paint-like odor is a sign that it should go in the trash.
Canned Goods
Canned food can last for years when stored properly and the can remains in good condition.
Give each can a quick inspection before opening it. Rust, leaks, severe dents, swelling, or a bulging lid are reasons to discard it. Never taste food from a questionable can to see if it’s still good.
Store canned foods somewhere cool and dry rather than in a hot garage or other area with large temperature swings.
Dried Pasta
Dried pasta is one of those pantry staples that can sit around for a long time without much trouble. Keep it sealed and away from moisture, and it can remain usable well beyond the date on the package.
Before cooking, look for insects, mold, moisture, or anything else that seems unusual. If the pasta has been exposed to water, its shelf life will be much shorter.
Baking Soda
Baking soda doesn’t spoil in the same way fresh food does. The bigger issue is that it can lose some of its ability to make baked goods rise.
Old baking soda doesn’t have to go straight into the trash, though. It can still be useful for cleaning, deodorizing refrigerators, scrubbing surfaces, and other household jobs.
Honey
Honey is famous for lasting an incredibly long time. Its low moisture content and acidity make it difficult for many microorganisms to grow.
Over time, honey may crystallize and become thick or grainy. That doesn’t necessarily mean it has gone bad. A sealed container can be gently warmed to return the honey to a more liquid consistency.
Keep it tightly covered and store it at room temperature.
Rice
White rice can last for years when kept away from moisture, heat, and insects. For longer-term storage, many people transfer it to airtight food-grade containers and use oxygen absorbers where appropriate.
Brown rice is a different story. Its natural oils give it a shorter shelf life and make it more likely to develop a rancid taste or smell.
If you’re storing rice for a long time, white rice is the better pantry choice.
Dried Beans
Dried beans can sit in the pantry for a very long time when protected from moisture and insects. They may become harder to cook as they age, which can mean a much longer soaking or cooking time.
They may take longer to cook as they get older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve spoiled.
Check older beans for insects, mold, moisture, or an unusual odor before cooking.
Salt
Salt is one pantry staple that doesn’t have much of a shelf-life problem. Pure salt can remain usable for an extremely long time.
Moisture may cause it to clump, but clumping alone doesn’t mean it’s spoiled. Store salt in a dry, sealed container and it should remain useful for years.
Sugar
Granulated sugar can last for a very long time when protected from moisture and contamination.
It may become hard or lumpy if moisture gets into the container, but that doesn’t necessarily make it unsafe. Sugar can also attract pantry pests, so check for insects or other signs of contamination before using an old bag.
A sealed container is your best friend here.
Powdered Milk
Powdered milk can last beyond its printed date when unopened and stored in a cool, dry place. Once opened, keep it tightly sealed and protected from moisture.
Before using an older package, check for discoloration, clumping caused by moisture, insects, or an unpleasant smell.
Powdered milk can also be useful in recipes such as breads, baked goods, and soups, so it doesn’t have to be reserved for drinking.
Vinegar
White vinegar is another pantry staple that can last for a very long time. Its acidity makes it naturally resistant to spoilage.
Keep the bottle tightly closed and away from direct sunlight. You might notice changes in appearance over a long period, but properly stored white vinegar generally remains useful for household cooking and cleaning.
Eggs
Eggs don’t last indefinitely, but they can sometimes remain usable beyond the date printed on the carton when they’ve been properly refrigerated.
The old water-float test is often mentioned as a way to judge an egg’s age, but it isn’t a reliable safety test. An egg that floats is older because the air pocket inside has grown, but that doesn’t tell you whether harmful bacteria are present.
If you’re unsure about an egg, crack it into a separate bowl and check for unusual odor or appearance. Keep refrigerated eggs cold and follow local food-safety guidance.
Eggs are inexpensive and versatile, so they’re worth using while they’re still fresh rather than trying to stretch their storage life too far.
Hard Cheese
Hard cheeses generally keep longer than soft cheeses because they contain less moisture. Proper refrigeration can help them last well beyond the date printed on the package.
Some hard cheeses may develop a small amount of surface mold. For certain firm cheeses, the affected area can sometimes be cut away generously, leaving plenty of clean cheese around it. Soft cheeses are different and are more likely to need discarding once mold appears.
When in doubt, check the cheese for an unusual smell, slimy texture, or widespread mold before deciding whether to keep it.
A little extra time on the calendar doesn’t automatically mean food belongs in the garbage. The printed date is only part of the picture. Storage conditions, packaging, appearance, smell, and the type of food all matter.
When you’re dealing with older food, use common sense and don’t take chances with anything that looks or smells spoiled. Saving money and reducing waste is worthwhile, but neither is worth getting sick over.
