FOOD STORAGE TIMES


TOPIC:  Staples

REFERENCE:  Cupboard Storage Chart - Michigan State University



STAPLES                    RECOMMENDED STORAGE  HANDLING HINTS
                           AT 70F.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Baking Powder              18 mon. or expir.    Keep dry and covered
Baking soda                2 years                 &quot;   &quot;   &quot;   &quot;
Cereals
      unopened             6 - 12 mon.          Refold package liner
                                                tightly after opening
      opened               2 - 3 mon.
      cooked               6 mon.
Chocolate
      semi-sweet           2 years              Keep cool
      unsweetened          18 mon.                &quot;   &quot;
Cocoa mixes                8 mon.               Cover tightly
Chocolate syrup
      unopened             2 years                 &quot;    &quot;
Chocolate syrup
      opened               6 mon.               Refr. after opening
Coffee
      cans-unopened        2 yrs.
      cans-opened          2 wks.               Refr. after opening
      instant-unopened     1 - 2 yrs.
      instant-opened       2 wks.
Cornmeal                   18 mon.              Keep tightly closed
Cornstarch                 6 - 8 mon.             &quot;     &quot;      &quot;
Flour
      white                6 - 8 mon.           Keep in air tight cont.
      whole wheat          6 - 8 mon.           Keep refr.  Store air tight
Honey                      12 mon.              Cover tightly.  Refr. 
                                                after opening to extend life
Molasses
      unopened             12 mon.              Keep tightly closed
      opened               6 mon.               Refr. to extend life
Marshmallows               2 - 3 mon.           Keep air tight
Mayonnaise
      unopened             2 - 3 mon.           Refr. after opening
Milk
      condensed or 
      evaporated           12 mon.              Once opened, store in
      non-fat dry
       - unopened          6 mon.               air tight containers
       - opened	3 mon.
Pasta                      2 yrs.               Once opened, store air tight
Salad dressings
      bottled
       - unopened          10-12 mon.           Refr. after opening
       - opened            3 mon.
      made from mix        2 wks.
Salad oils
      unopened             6 mon.               Refr. after opening
      opened               1-3 mon.              &quot;      &quot;      &quot;
Shortenings -solid         8 mon.               Refr. not needed
Sugar
      brown                4 mon.               Airtight containers
      confectioners        18 mon.                 &quot;        &quot;
      granulated           2 yrs.               Cover tightly
Vinegar
      opened               1 yr.                   &quot;      &quot;




TOPIC:  Mixes and Packaged Foods

REFERENCE:  Cupboard Storage Chart - Michigan State University



MIXES AND                  RECOMMENDED STORAGE  HANDLING HINTS
PACKAGED FOODS             AT 70F.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Biscuit, brownie, &amp;
      muffin               9 mon.               Keep cool and dry
Cake mixes                 9 mon.                  &quot;     &quot;   &quot;   &quot;
      angel food           1 yr.
Casseroles
      complete or
      add own meat         9 - 12 mon.             &quot;    &quot;    &quot;   &quot;
Cookies
      homemade             2 - 3 wks.           Airtight containers
      packaged             2 mon.               Keep box tightly closed
Crackers                   8 mon.                &quot;    &quot;      &quot;     &quot;
Frosting
      canned               3 mon.               Ref. leftovers
      mix                  8 mon.
Hot roll mix               18 mon.              Airtight container
Pancake mix                6 - 9 mon.              &quot;       &quot;
Pie crust mix              8 mon.               Keep cool and dry
Potatoes
      instant              6 - 12 mon.            &quot;   &quot;    &quot;   &quot;
Pudding mixes              12 mon.                &quot;   &quot;    &quot;   &quot;
Sauce and gravy
      mixes                6 - 12 mon.            &quot;   &quot;    &quot;   &quot;
Soup mixes                 12 mon.                &quot;   &quot;    &quot;   &quot;




TOPIC:  Canned and Dried Foods


Canned and                 RECOMMENDED STORAGE  HANDLING HINTS
Dried Foods                AT 70F.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Canned foods,
      unopened             12 mon.              Keep cool 
Canned foods, opened
      baby food            2 - 3 days           Refr. after opening*
      fish and seafood     2 days
      fruit                1 wk.
      meats                2 days
      pickles, olives      5 days
      vegetables           3 days
Fruits - dried             6 mon.               Keep cool, air tight
Canned fruit juices        9 mon.                   &quot;    &quot;
Vegetables - dried         1 yr.                    &quot;   &quot;     &quot;    &quot;
*The FDA is concerned about storing foods in opened cans because of cans 
using lead solder.  FDA now recommends acid foods like fruits and tomatoes 
once opened should be transferred to glass or plastic




TOPIC:  Spices, Herbs, Condiments and Extracts

REFERENCE:  Cupboard Storage Chart, Michigan State University



SPICES, HERBS,             RECOMMENDED STORAGE  HANDLING HINTS
&amp; CONDIMENTS               AT 70F
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Catsup, chili sauce
      unopened             12 mon.
      opened               1 mon.
Mustard, prepared yellow
      unopened             2 yrs.
      opened               6-8 mons.            May be refrigerated
Spices and herbs
      whole                1-2 mons.            Store airtight, dry,
      ground               6 mon.               away from sunlight and
      herbs                6 mon.               heat
      herb/spice blend     6 mon.
Vanilla - unopened         2 yrs.               Keep tightly closed
      opened               1 yr.                  &quot;     &quot;      &quot;
Other extracts
      opened               1 yr.                  &quot;     &quot;      &quot;





Utah State Extension Service



