Reviewed by Registered Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
If you’re like many of us, your kitchen pantry is likely overflowing. We utilize every available space to store a variety of pantry items from canned beans to seaweed snacks. While we try to keep our pantry items fresh, we must acknowledge that some items may have expired or gone bad. Here are nine types of items commonly found in our pantries, as well as yours, that should be disposed of.
Cooking Oils
Cooking oils like canola oil and olive oil have a limited shelf life, lasting around four months when unopened. Exposure to light, air, or heat can cause them to degrade even faster. To determine if your oils are still good, give them a sniff. If you detect any off odors such as staleness, chemical-like scents, fermented smells, or a crayon-like aroma, it’s time to discard the oil. A taste test can also help determine if the oil has gone bad.
Herbs & Spices
If you enjoy experimenting with new recipes, you may have accumulated a collection of dried herbs and spices that have been sitting idle for too long. While these items technically do not spoil, they can lose their flavor over time. Ground spices typically last two to three years, while whole spices can last up to four years. Review your spice collection and discard any that have been around longer than recommended.
Flours
Whether you bake regularly or occasionally, chances are you have partially used bags of flour in your pantry. Flour typically remains fresh for about eight months when stored at room temperature. Certain types of flour with higher fat content, such as whole-wheat or nut-based flours, have a shorter shelf life. Perform a smell test to determine if your flour has gone bad.
Dry Rice & Pasta
Whether you have a variety of pasta shapes or rice varieties in your pantry, it’s essential to rotate stock and use the oldest packages first. Discard any unsealed containers of pasta or rice that show signs of spoilage.
Baking Powder, Baking Soda & Yeast
If you don’t bake frequently, it’s likely that your leavening agents have expired. Check the expiration dates on baking powder, baking soda, and yeast packets, and discard any that have passed their prime.
By staying vigilant and regularly inspecting your pantry items, you can ensure that your cooking ingredients are fresh and safe to consume.
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