General Shelf Lives for Common Items

  • Flour unopened: up to 12 months. Opened: 6-8 months.
  • Whole Wheat Flour unopened: 1 month. Opened: 6-8 months if refrigerated.
  • 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 when kept in refrigerator.
  • High acid canned items such as fruit juice, tomato soup and things in vinegar unopened: 12-18 months.
  • 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.
  • Low acid canned items such as soup, meats, gravy and vegetables unopened: 2-5 years.
  • Honey: 1 year whether or not opened.
  • Worcestershire sauce: 1 year whether or not opened
  • Ground, canned coffee unopened: 2 years. Opened: 2 weeks, if refrigerated.
  • Instant coffee in jars or tins unopened: 12 months. Opened: 3 months.
  • Bottled water unopened: 1-2 years. Opened: 3 months.
  • Pudding mixes unopened: 1 year. Opened: 4 months.
  • Jams, jellies and preserves unopened: 1 year. Opened: 6 months if refrigerated.
  • Peanut butter unopened: 6-9 months. Opened: 2-3 months.

Source: The Food Marketing Institute In Washington D.C.