One of your New Year's resolutions may be to do a major house cleaning. When cleaning your kitchen, don't forget about your pantry and cupboards. Every three to six months, you should go through your pantry and throw out items that may have exceeded their shelf life. This handy list will help you determine when to dispose of common pantry items.
Approximate shelf life (assuming proper storage):
Baking Powder
Unopened - 6-9 months
Opened - 3 months
Baking Soda
Unopened - 18-24 months
Opened - 6 months
Cocoa
Unopened - Indefinite
Opened - 1 year
Cornstarch
Unopened - 18-24 months
Opened - 12 months
Dry Egg Noodles
Unopened - 18-24 months
Opened - 3 months
Dry Pasta (no egg)
Unopened - 18-24 months
Opened - 1 year
Flour
Unopened - 1 year
Opened - 6 months
Ground Coffee (canned)
Unopened - 2 years
Opened - 1 month (refrigerated)
Honey
Unopened - 2 years
Opened - 1 year
Jelly/Jam
Unopened - 1 year
Opened - 6 months (refrigerated)
Peanut Butter
Unopened - 9-12 months
Opened - 3 months
Solid Shortening/Lard
Unopened - 1 year
Opened - 3 months
Spices (ground)
Unopened/Opened - 2 years
Spices (whole)
Unopened/Opened - 4 years
Sugar (brown)
Unopened - 6-9 months
Opened (sealed in plastic bag/container) - 2-3 months
Sugar (white)
Unopened - 2 years
Opened - 1 year
