All-purpose flour
About 1 year refrigerated
Best quality: 6–8 months
Store airtight and discard if it smells stale or rancid.
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Pantry Expiration Guide
Know when common pantry staples are at their best.
White rice
Keep cool and dry
Best quality: about 2 years
Brown rice lasts about 6 months due to its natural oils.
Dried pasta
Follow the package date
Best quality: 1–2 years
Keep sealed away from humidity and pests.
Ground spices
Whole spices: 3–4 years
Best quality: 2–3 years
Replace when aroma and color become faint.
Baking powder
Test with hot water
Best quality: 6–12 months opened
It should bubble vigorously when still active.
Commercial canned goods
High-acid foods keep for less time
Best quality: 1–5 years
Discard bulging, leaking, badly rusted or deeply dented cans. Home-canned foods follow different guidance.
These are best-quality estimates for commercially packaged foods stored cool, dry and sealed—not universal safety expiration dates.
Reviewed August 2026.
Source: Utah State Extension home storage guidance Built for the new Recipe Boss
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