The pantry is the place where home cooks keep the backbones of the greatest recipes. But sometimes, lurking behind those jars and boxes are foods that are well past their prime.
It’s good to have a stocked pantry, but it’s just as important to ensure your food is fresh and safe to eat. Here are five foods that could be going bad in your pantry as we speak!
Canned Goods
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The first food might surprise you—it’s the indestructible, seemingly always-edible canned goods you’ve been hanging onto for 10+ years. It’s true that most canned foods can last for years. Still, many lose quality over time, and some can still go bad.
Regularly check the expiration dates on your canned goods and look for signs of bulging, rust, or leaks; any of those issues means the contents probably aren’t safe to eat and it’s time to throw it out.
Pasta
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Pasta is a pantry hero, but it can lose its flavor and texture over time. While dried pasta doesn’t technically spoil, it can become stale and less enjoyable to eat.
If your pasta has been sitting in the pantry for a while, give it a sniff—if it smells off or has a strange texture, it’s time to toss it. You can give your pasta a better lease on life by storing it in an airtight container away from moisture and sunlight.
Spices
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Spices don’t necessarily go “bad” always, but the flavor can fade so much that you might as well not bother using them. If your spices have been sitting on a shelf for more than a year, they probably won’t pack the same punch, and you’d be better off replacing them.
Do a trusty smell test to be sure—if they smell dull or don’t have much of a scent at all, you can either compensate in a dish by using more or just cut your losses and get some new coriander seed.
Flour
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Flour is another pantry staple that can surprisingly go bad, especially if you don’t store it properly. All-purpose flour typically lasts about a year, while whole wheat flour has a shorter shelf life due to its higher oil content.
There are so many types of flour now that it’s best to look up and see the best way to store it. But for AP or whole wheat flours, store it in a cool, dark place. You can even put whole wheat flour in the fridge or freezer to extend its freshness.
Rice
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Yes, that’s right—even rice, the grain that’s always there for you when you need to whip up a fast weeknight meal, can go bad. Rice and flour should be treated similarly: white rice has a longer shelf life, while brown rice goes off easier.
Rice is one ingredient you want to check for unusual smells or even insect activity, as that’s a pretty clear sign your rice isn’t good anymore. Since rice is so attractive to pests, it’s wise to keep it in airtight containers so they can’t spoil it prematurely.
12 Foods To NEVER Eat After They Expire (Throw Them Away Immediately)
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The “Sell by” date on food packaging tells how long the food can stay on shelves, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that’s when it expires. On the other hand, the “Best by” or “Use by” date is something to really pay attention to.
Some foods can be fine well past that date, but others don’t, and consuming them can lead to food poisoning, a trip to the hospital, or worse. Following are some foods you should never consume after they expire.
12 Foods To NEVER Eat After They Expire (Throw Them Away Immediately)
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