

One of the best things about storing your emergency food supply inside your home is that it's easily accessible so you can a) use it and b) check expiration dates. Keeping some luxury foods in their reserves can help families deal with stress and maintain a positive attitude during the real emergency.

Most of these foods will last at least a week after purchase and will offer you a fresh alternative to all those packaged foods. After that, they become very bad because of the chemicals they contain. I have found crackers and probably most cereals only have a shelf life of six months and maybe up to 18 months. However, ground whole grains deteriorate faster and can be stored in the pantry for 1 to 3 months or up to 6 months in the freezer. Rice and whole grains stored in airtight containers will last up to 6 months in a cool, dry pantry or freezer for up to a year. Canned goods are known to remain edible 10 years, 20 years or more after storage. If long-term for you means years, then the best foods for long-term storage are usually canned goods. If you don't open it, the temperature will be kept at a safe level for another hour or two, even longer. But remember that a refrigerator is well insulated. If the meal has spent more than four hours above 40 F. Bouillon cubes have a shelf life of 2 years, which makes it a wonderful option for a reserve, since broth is a source of great flavor. Salt will never spoil, pepper should be used within 5 years, after which it can lose its potency. However, the specific shelf life depends on the type of flour, its ingredients and how you store it. Most flours stay fresh for 3 to 8 months at room temperature, usually long after their expiration date. Many factors influence the shelf life of flour or how long it lasts before it starts to spoil. If kept in a fruit bowl at room temperature, they are usually kept at their best for at least two weeks, sometimes up to a month. Apples are fruits that can stay fresh and crisp for up to six months if stored in a cold, dark place, such as a cellar or a cool cellar. But brown rice also has a higher oil content than white rice, so it has a much shorter shelf life, only a few months. Usually, nutritionists are not fans of white rice, noting that brown rice is much superior in terms of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and dietary fiber. Canned proteins such as tuna, salmon, chicken, corned beef, turkey, spam and even bacon (yes, you can buy canned cooked bacon now) have a very long shelf life.Īs long as they are stored in a cool, dry place and are not damaged, you can count on a shelf life of three to five years after the expiration date. Choose multi-grain cereals that are individually packaged so that they do not go rancid after opening. Unless the bottle says otherwise, it is not necessary to refrigerate after opening. A great source of energy, peanut butter is packed with healthy fats and proteins.
