Food Storage Shelf Life

Food Storage shelf life
So you’ve followed the emergency preparedness guidance of the experts by stocking up on food storage for yourself and your family. No matter what the future brings, your outlook is bright because you know you’re ready for even the direst times. But how long will your preparation efforts last? Do they have an expiration date? There are varying points of view on this topic, but the short answer is your food storage will have a “sustain life” shelf life of at least 20 years.
There are many conflicting opinions on this issue. The main problem with the lack of expiration date consistency is there are different levels of food expiration. When your food is used within the “best if used by” range, you will experience its full taste and nutritional value. When your food is stored longer, chemical changes can occur. Over time, minerals and carbohydrates in food do not transform much. Proteins and fats, however, can deteriorate in quality and cause off-tasting food. Vitamins are also susceptible to heat, light, and oxygen destruction.
Calorie intake is the most important life sustaining factor. Because calories do not mutate or fade drastically over time, the life of food storage products has more than one level.
If you want your food storage to have the best taste and highest nutrients, it is recommended that most items be used within 2-5 years. However, if you plan to use your food storage to sustain life, many items can last up to 20+ years. Once opened, most foods should be used within 6-18 months. However, many opened foods can remain life sustaining for up to 5 years if they are kept well covered and stored in a cool, dry area.
Please see the table below for our “best if used by” recommendations.
Product
Optimum Shelf Life Opened Shelf Life
Grains
Whole Wheat Flour 5 years 6-8 months
White Flour 5 years 6-8 months
Hard White Winter Wheat 12 years 3 years
6 Grain Pancake Mix 8 years 1 year
Spaghetti 10 years 2 years
Egg Noodle Pasta 2 years 6 months to 1 year
Quick Oats 8 years 1 year
White Rice 30 years Indefinite
Pearled Barley 8 years 18 months
Cornmeal 5 years 1 year **I would suggest freezing
9 Grain Cracked Cereal 15 years 1 year
Elbow Macaroni 8 years 2 years
Germade 5 years 18 months
Vegetables
Potato Pearls 30 years 2 years ** I would suggest 6-9 months
Bell Peppers 7 years 6 months to 1 year
Mushroom Pieces 8 years 6 months to 1 year
Potato Chunks 12 years 6 months to 1 year
Sweet Corn 7 years 18 months
Tomato Powder 7 years 6 months to 1 year
Sweet Potatoes 8 years 6 months
Green Peas 7 years 1 year
Cauliflower 8 years 6 months to 1 year
Carrot Dices 8 years 6 months to 1 year
Broccoli 10 years 1 year
Celery 7 years 6 months to 1 year
Spinach 7 years 6 months to 1 year
Onions 8 years 6 months to 1 year
Fruits
Pineapple 7 years 1 year
Peach Slices 7 years 1 year
Rasberries 8 years 1 year
Strawberries 8 years 1 year
Blueberries 8 years 1 year
Applesauce 7 years 6 months (refrigerated)
Apple Slices 30 years **I suggest 10years Indefinite ** I suggest 6-9 months
Banana Slices 5 years 1 year
Blackberries 8 years 1 year

Dairy
Instant Milk 20 years 6 months
Chocolate Drink Mix 20 years 6 months
Cheese Powder 15 years 6 months

Meats and Beans
Small White Navy Beans 10 years 5 years
Small Red Beans 10 years 5 years
Sloppy Joe TVP 10 years 1 year
Whole Eggs 5 years 6 months
Taco TVP 10 years 1 year
Sausage TVP 10 years 1 year
Pinto Beans 10 years 5 years
Chicken TVP 10 years 1 year
Beef TVP 10 years 1 year
Ham TVP 10 years 1 year
Kidney Beans 10 years 5 years
Lima Beans 10 years 5 years
Lentils 10 years 5 years
Bacon TVP 10 years 1 year

Basics

Butter Powder 5 years 2 years
Orange Drink 3 years 6 months to 1 year
Iodized Salt Indefinite 2 years
Chicken Bouillon 2 years 6 months
Peach Drink 3 years 6 months to 1 year
White Sugar Indefinite 2 years
Powdered Sugar Indefinite 12 to 18 months
Baking Soda Indefinite Indefinite
Apple Drink 3 years 6 months to 1 year
Baking Powder Indefinite Indefinite** I suggest about 6 months
Beef Bouillon 2 years 6 months
Brown Sugar 6 months 3 months
To maximize the taste, nutritional value, and shelf life of your food storage, follow these tips:
· Keep cans open for the least amount of time possible.
· To maximize freshness, keep oxygen absorbers in your opened cans.
· Scoop food out of your cans instead of pouring. Doing this will limit oxygen intake.
· Reseal your opened cans with their plastic coverings.
· Store your food in a dark, dry, cool place (a garage or cold storage area is highly recommended).
· Limit your opened cans’ contact with humidity.

Please note that the wheat has a shelf life of 12 years unopened. Providentliving.org states wheat can have a shelf life of up to 30 years. I would try rotating my wheat about every 10 years for maximum nutrition.

Remember these are the #10 cans of dried foods, not wet packed items.