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Shelf-Life
For
Foods
General Shelf Lives 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.