General Shelf Life for Common Items
- Flour unopened: up to 12 months.
Opened: 6-8 months.
- Sugar unopened: 2 years. Sugars do not spoil but eventually may change flavor.
- Brown sugar unopened: 4 months.
- Confectioners sugar unopened: 18 months.
- Solid shortening unopened: 8 months.
Opened: 3 months.
- Cocoa unopened: indefinitely.
Opened: 1 year.
- Whole spices: 2-4 years. Whether or not opened.
- Ground spices: 2-3 years. Whether or not opened.
- Paprika, red pepper and chili powder: 2 years
- Baking soda unopened: 18 months.
Opened: 6 months.
- Baking powder unopened: 6 months.
Opened: 3 months.
- Cornstarch: 18 months. Whether or not opened.
- Dry pasta made without eggs unopened: 2 years.
Opened: 1 year.
- Dry egg noodles unopened: 2 years.
Opened: 1-2 months.
- Salad dressing unopened: 10-12 months.
Opened: 3 months if refrigerated.
- Honey: 1 year. Whether or not opened.
- Ground, canned coffee unopened: 2 years.
Opened: 2 weeks, if refrigerated.
- Jams, jellies and preserves unopened: 1 year.
Opened: 6 months if refrigerated.
- Peanut butter unopened: 6-9 months. Opened: 2-3 months.
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