Surprising Expiration Dates
5 April 2008. Published by: admin
A handy, who-knew guide to 77 foods, beauty products, and household goodsCertain items in your house practically scream “toss me” when their prime has passed. That mysterious extra white layer on the Cheddar? A sure sign it needs to be put out of its misery. Chunky milk? Down the drain it goes.
But what about that jar of olives or Maraschino cherries that has resided in your refrigerator since before the birth of your kindergartner? Or the innumerable nonedibles lurking deep within your cabinets and closets: stockpiled shampoo and toothpaste, seldom-used silver polish? How do you know when their primes have passed?
The shelf lives of most products depend upon how you treat them. Edibles, unless otherwise indicated, should be stored in a cool, dry place. (With any food, of course, use common sense.) Household cleaners also do best in a dry place with a stable temperature. After the dates shown, beauty and cleaning products are probably still safe but may be less effective
But what about that jar of olives or Maraschino cherries that has resided in your refrigerator since before the birth of your kindergartner? Or the innumerable nonedibles lurking deep within your cabinets and closets: stockpiled shampoo and toothpaste, seldom-used silver polish? How do you know when their primes have passed?
The shelf lives of most products depend upon how you treat them. Edibles, unless otherwise indicated, should be stored in a cool, dry place. (With any food, of course, use common sense.) Household cleaners also do best in a dry place with a stable temperature. After the dates shown, beauty and cleaning products are probably still safe but may be less effective
These dates are offered as a rough guideline:
Food
Unopened: 4 months.
Indefinite shelf life, stored in a moistureproof container in a cool, dry place.
1 year from production date
Unopened: 2 years
Opened: 1 month refrigerated
Beans: 3 weeks in paper bag, longer in vacuum-seal bag (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
Ground: 1 week in sealed container
Unopened: Up to 2 years
Opened: Up to 1 month
Unopened: 3 months from "best by" date.
Opened: Doesn't spoil, but taste is affected.
12 months
Unopened: 12 to 18 months
Unopened: 18 to 24 months
Opened: 1 month
Indefinite shelf life
Unopened: 8 months from production date
Opened: 7 to 10 days
Unopened: 1 year (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
Opened or used: 4 to 6 months (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
1 year
Unopened: 3 to 4 years
Opened: 2 weeks at room temperature; 6 months refrigerated
Unopened: 40 weeks
Opened: 3 months
Unopened: Indefinitely
Opened: 2 to 3 months from “purchase by” date (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
2 years (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
Unopened: 3 years
Opened: 3 months
2 years from manufacture date (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
Unopened: 1 to 2 years unless frozen or refrigerated
Opened: 1 to 2 weeks in airtight container
9 months
Unopened: 2 years
Opened: 6 months; refrigerate after 3 months
Unopened: 18 months
Opened: No conclusive data. Discard if slippery or excessively soft.
Unopened: 10 to 12 months. Check "best by" date on the package.
2 years from date on box or date of purchase
Unopened: 12 months after "best by" date
Opened: 9 months refrigerated
Unopened: In cans or glass bottles, 9 months from "best by" date
Opened: Doesn't spoil, but taste is affected
33 months (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
5 years, stored in a cool, dry place
Use within 2 years of opening the package
Unopened: 1 year from purchase date
Opened: 3 to 4 days, not stored in can
Unopened: 2 years
Opened: 3 months (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
42 months
Unopened: 3 years from vintage date; 20 to 100 years for fine wines
Opened: 1 week refrigerated and corked
Unopened: 5 to 10 years (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
Opened: 2 years
Household Products
2 years
1 to 5 years
Indefinite
7 years
10 years
3 to 6 months
1 year
Service or replace every 6 years
12 years
Unopened: 9 months to 1 year
Opened: 6 months
At least 3 years
Opened: 3 to 8 years
Indefinite
Unopened: 2 to 5 years
Opened: 3 months
2 years
Unopened: Up to 10 years
Opened: 2 to 5 years
2 to 3 years
2 years
Wood polish (Pledge)
2 years
2 years
Beauty Products
All dates are from the manufacture date, which is either displayed on the packaging or can be obtained by calling the manufacturer's customer-service number.
18 months to 3 years
3 years
1 year
Unopened: 2 years
Used: 6 months
3 years
2 to 3 years
Unopened: 2 years
Used: 1 to 2 years
For antiperspirants, see expiration date
Unopened: 3 years
Used: 1 year
With SPF, see expiration date. All others, at least 3 years
2 years
3 years
2 to 3 years
2 to 3 years
Unopened: 5 years
Used: 1 to 5 years
2 years
Unopened: 2 years
Used: 3 to 4 months
Three years from manufacture date
1 year
Lasts indefinitely
1 to 2 years
At least 3 years
2 to 3 years
2 years or more
13 months
Unopened: 2 years
Opened: Good until dried out