It is difficult to predict how long food products will last. Storage life depends on the original quality of the product and the temperature of the storage room. Recent scientific studies have revealed that when stored properly, well packaged food remains nutritious and edible much longer than previous research has determined. The estimated shelf life of a product has increased, though food rotation is still important.

Over time, dry-pack products will slowly lose nutritional value and taste, hence the need to use and rotate these products remains high. However, most products, if stored properly, will maintain taste and nutritional value for many years.

Rotation Suggestions for Properly Packaged Dry-pack Foods
(when stored in a cool, dry place under ideal conditions)

Baking Soda 25+ years
Beans (dried) 6-8 years
Carrots (dried) 8-10 years
Cocoa up to 20 years
Cornmeal up to 5 years
Eggs (dried) 3-5 years
5 years
Freeze Dried Fruits and Vegetables up to 8 years
Fruit (dried) up to 5 years
Milk (nonfat dry) up to 20 years
Pasta (Spaghetti/ Macaroni) 6-8 years
Potatoes (instant) up to 30 years
Pudding 5 years
Rice up to 8 years
Rolled Oats up to 30 years
Salt 2indefinite (best within 5 years)
Soup Mix 4-5 years
Sugar indefinite (best within 2 years)
Sugar (powdered) indefinite (best with in 12-18 months)
Sugar (brown) indefinite (best with in 6 months)
TVP up to 10 years
Wheat up to 30 years

Rotation Suggestions for Wet-pack foods
(when stored in a cool, dry place under ideal conditions)

Canned Fruit/Vegetables 2-3 years
Canned Soups 2-3 years
Chili/ pork & beans 2-3 years
Honey 1-2 years
Jam/jelly/preserves 1-2 years
Syrup/molasses 12 months
Mayo 6-9 months
Peanut butter 6-9 months
Salad dressing 9-12 months
Vinegar 2-3 years
Ketchup 1-2 years
Canned Meat 1-2 years
Canned Fruit Juices 2-3 years
Tuna Fish 2-3 years
Shortening 3-4 years
Oil 1 year

Storage Suggestions
Store dry-pack items in a cool, dry location away from sunlight. Store them on shelves or on a raised platform rather than directly in contact with concrete floors or walls. Also, make sure to rotate water yearly.