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Expiration dates can be misleading – and often misunderstood. While they might seem strict, these dates usually indicate peak freshness or quality, not necessarily food safety. In most cases, eating something past its expiration date is perfectly fine, especially if it’s been stored correctly. Many foods remain perfectly edible well beyond the printed date when proper storage techniques are followed.
Proper Storage Techniques to Consider
Before we get to the foods, let’s take a second to explain what proper food storage looks like.
- Keep it cool and dry: Store food in a temperature-controlled, moisture-free environment.
- Use airtight containers: Protect against pests, air, and moisture.
- Rotate your stock: Use the oldest items first to maintain freshness.
- Inspect before consuming: Check for unusual smells, colors, or textures before eating.
Now, here are some food items That Last Beyond Their Expiration Date (If Stored Correctly).
1. Honey
Honey is virtually immortal. Its low moisture content and high acidity prevent bacterial growth. Store it in a tightly sealed container at room temperature. If it crystallizes, gently warm it to restore its texture.
2. Rice
White rice, when kept in a cool, dry place in an airtight container, can last for decades. Avoid brown rice, as its natural oils can go rancid over time. Add an O2 absorber to keep fresh.
3. Dried Beans
Dried beans remain safe to eat indefinitely if stored in airtight containers away from moisture. Over time, they may take longer to cook but still provide nutrition. They can taste a little stale if they’ve been exposed to air.
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4. Salt
Salt doesn’t expire and is a natural preservative. Keep it in a dry, sealed container to prevent clumping from moisture exposure.
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5. Sugar
Granulated sugar can last indefinitely when stored in a cool, dry place. Keep it in an airtight container to avoid contamination or moisture, which can cause clumping. Sugar can be prone to weevils. They won’t kill you but they are unsightly.
6. Powdered Milk
When stored in airtight packaging and kept cool and dry, powdered milk can last years beyond its expiration date. Look for signs of discoloration or an off smell before use. Even if it’s ‘expired’ it can often be used as a soup thickener or in bread.
7. Vinegar
White vinegar is self-preserving and doesn’t spoil, thanks to its high acidity. Store it in a sealed container away from sunlight.
8. Canned Goods
Canned food is safe for years if the can remains undamaged. Rust, dents, and swelling are all huge warning signs. Don’t even touch the cans with your bare hands. Leaking cans are likely going to have botulism which is very dangerous. High-acid foods like tomatoes may degrade faster than low-acid ones, but they’re still safe if stored properly.
9. Dried Pasta
Dried pasta, kept in a sealed container away from moisture, can last well beyond its expiration date. Inspect for signs of mold or pests before cooking.
10. Baking Soda
Baking soda doesn’t spoil but may lose its potency for baking. It remains effective for cleaning, deodorizing, or as an antacid indefinitely.
11. Oats
Rolled oats can last for years in airtight containers stored in a cool, dry place. Watch out for pests or mold as signs of spoilage.
12. Peanut Butter
Unopened commercial peanut butter can remain edible for months or even a year past its expiration date if stored in a cool, dark place. Natural peanut butter may separate but is still safe if no mold or rancid smell is present. Peanut butter that is not stored properly can go rancid.
13. Eggs
These aren’t going to last indefinitely but depending on how fresh the eggs are when they land in your store, you might be able to squeeze another week or two. A good way to check is to float the eggs in a bowl of water. If an egg floats at the top, it’s no good. If it sinks, you’re good. If it kind of hovers in the middle, you’ve got a day or two before it goes rotten.
14. Canned Ham
People joke about Spam being around after an apocalypse that’s because with all the nitrites it’s going to be fine to eat long after the expiration date.
15. Hard Cheese
Back in the old days, people would live on old, hard cheese and bread. Hard cheese has low moisture and will last a lot longer than regular cheese. If it does get a white powdery substance on it, you can simply cut of the white stuff.
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