Check Your Pantry—These 10 Items Have Most Likely Already Gone Bad
Be honest, when was the last time you cleared out your cabinets and checked expiration dates? The pantry is prone to accumulating a lot of stuff and it's easy to lose track of what you actually have and how long it's been there.
Despite being shelf-stable, many pantry items have a relatively short life. And there's no reason to risk yourself getting sick by keeping around essentials that may have gone bad—and there are several foods you should never eat past their expiration date. Before you clean out your cupboards, here are ten foods that have a surprisingly short shelf life.
Need more info on expiration dates before cooking your next meal? Here are guides for how to tell if your flour has gone bad, how long canned goods last, and what condiments you should toss after they expire.
Breadcrumbs
No surprise here, but dried breadcrumbs last longer than regular bread. However, since it's still bread, you'll want to keep them away from any moisture, which can lead to mold. If stored properly in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, the breadcrumbs can last up to six months.
Brown Rice
If you prefer brown rice over white rice, you may want to double-check when you last bought that bag of brown rice. According to the USA Rice Federation, whole grain rice, or brown rice, has oil content in the attached bran, aleurone, and germ, making it more susceptible to oxidation. This gives it a shelf life of only around six months or opt for storing it in the refrigerator as a cooler climate will lengthen its shelf life.
Cornmeal
Cornmeal adds a crunchy finish to some recipes and is a great gluten-free alternative. The University of Missouri reports that it only keeps for about a year, but to make it last longer, store the cornmeal in a cool, dark, and dry place. Warm, damp conditions will cause mold to grow and a bad flavor and odor to develop. Avoid storing cornmeal near the dishwasher, oven range, or next to the refrigerator, as these areas can contribute to its deterioration and may even cause insects to hatch in the cornmeal (yuck!).
Crackers
Crackers are a beloved crunchy pantry must-have, but once opened, they spoil rather quickly. "[Crackers] absorb moisture from the air, leading to a stale product that loses its crispiness," says Sarah Harper MS, RD, LDN, and the creator behind Addy Bean says. In short, enjoy a box sooner rather than later.
Dried Fruit
The National Center for Home Food Preservation confirms that most dried fruit lasts anywhere from four months to one year. For instance, figs last around three months while raisins last the entire year. Since food quality is affected by heat, the storage temperature helps determine the length of storage. This means the higher the temperature, the shorter the storage time. Most dried fruits can be stored for one year at 60ºF or six months at 80ºF.
Nuts
Nuts are an easy-to-enjoy snack and are even better on the go. Unfortunately, the longevity of nuts is not very long. On the shorter end, pistachios last about three months, while almonds can last up to one year. If you're nuts about nuts, make sure you set up a six to 12 month rotation depending on your supplies.
Peanut Butter
This one may cause a pause, but there's a caveat here. Most commercial peanut butter lasts a while in the pantry if they're unopened like six to 24 months. On the other hand, natural peanut butter lacks preservatives and may only last several months unopened. Once opened, its shelf life dramatically decreases, so be sure to check the label. Most natural peanut butter must be stored in the refrigerator once opened.
Spices
Even though they're not technically food, spices don't last forever. “Ground spices lose their potency quicker than whole spices, as they are exposed to air and light," chef and certified nutritionist Norah Clark says. "Invest in whole spices and grind them when needed for better flavor."
Tortilla Chips
Another crunchy classic commonly found in kitchen pantries is a bag or two of tortilla chips. Just like with crackers, tortilla chips absorb moisture from the air, causing staleness and a loss of crispness. “You might notice a change in the texture of crackers or tortilla chips just days after opening,” Harper adds. All the more reason to make more homemade guacamole and salsa.
Whole Wheat Flour
Similar to brown rice, whole wheat flour contains bran, endosperm, and germ. These parts are packed with fiber and other nutrients, which is what gives whole wheat flour a shorter shelf life. According to Women’s Health, whole wheat flour keeps for up to three months at room temperature, and up to a year in the fridge or freezer. The same goes for oat flour and other whole-grain flour options.
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