Cleaning out the pantry can lead to some pretty unexpected discoveries. Forgotten cans of soup, unopened jars of jam, and boxes of pasta have been unearthed when we’re cleaning out the old food closet. More often than not, you probably wonder if these items are still usable, or if you’re tossing your hard-earned cash straight into the trash. When it comes to pantry staples, you might be interested to know how long do these items last?
Below is a helpful list of many standard items found in most pantries and cupboards, with a list of their still-good-by date that might be later than the best-by date printed on the package. If you’re looking to stock up, visit our flyer page for tasty savings when it comes to replenishing. At our stores, you’ll find everything you need to keep your pantry full and now, with this handy checklist, you’ll know how long it all lasts, too!

How Long Do Canned and Jarred Goods Last?
The shelf life of canned and jarred food items can vary, based on whether or not they’re considered “high-acid” or “low-acid”. Items like tomatoes (in any form) are considered a high-acid canned food, which can cause the can to break down more quickly, resulting in a shorter shelf life than a low-acid food. This is true even if the can or jar is unopened. If unopened and stored properly in your cupboard or pantry, these canned and jarred goods should remain safe to eat for at least a year—and for some, up to five years! Remember that after opening, most of these items should be refrigerated to prolong their life.
How Long Do Baking Supplies Last?
The good news about baking supplies is that many of them can remain in your cupboard or pantry after opening. In addition to saving you valuable fridge space, opening and using these dried goods doesn’t drastically reduce their shelf life. Just be sure that wherever you’re storing your baking supplies, it’s of a moderate temperature with minimal light and that the containers holding them are sealed properly.
How Long Do Herbs and Spices Last?
Unlike many foods, herbs and spices don’t technically go “bad” in that they don’t spoil. However, they do lose their potency as they age, which defeats their purpose. We want flavour in our meals! If any of your spices have been kicking around in the back of your cupboard for five years (or more), you’ll definitely want to refresh your spice rack. Try purchasing spices as needed rather than doing an entire overhaul to stick to your budget.
How Long Do Pastas and Grains Last?
Items like pasta and rice can typically last anywhere from 1 to 2 years if unopened. However, open packages exposed to air can cause things like pasta and rice to lose flavour and texture. If you have a half-full page of pasta or rice, try storing it in an airtight glass or plastic container to keep it tasting delicious. (This will also help protect from unwanted pests, who are as big of fans of carbs as we are.) Brown rice, which keeps the grain intact, has a much shorter shelf life than other rice types. Its natural oils make this variety more prone to spoilage.
How Long Do Condiments Last?
The good thing about many condiments is that their natural acidity prolongs their shelf life, especially if they’re refrigerated. While it’s not necessary to store condiments like ketchup and mustard in the fridge, it does keep the quality of these products lasting longer. Other items, like vinegars, are pretty much safe to use indefinitely, even after opening. However, for the best flavour punch, most should be consumed within two years. Creamy condiments, like ranch dressing, have a shorter shelf life, and are best kept in the refrigerator after opening.
How Long Do Packaged Snack Foods Last?
Snack foods don’t have a long shelf life in the pantry, and not just because we like munching on them when we have a craving. However, unlike items that can get moldy or go bad, these items simply go stale. The unappealing texture of stale food makes these worthy of tossing if they’ve been left out too long.
How To Make Your Pantry Staples Last Longer
One of the best ways to ensure your pantry staples last longer is to place them in airtight containers. This helps to reduce the risk of oxidization, making them last longer. This method of storage is also easier for you to see what you have available to create recipes from, reducing food waste and saving you money! Clear glass or plastic containers help keep you organized and your pantry items fresh.
Some pantry items can have a prolonged life if they’re stored in the fridge after opening. Jams, jellies, and salad dressings will keep longer when stored in the fridge rather than being placed back on the shelf. Opened canned items, like beans and soups, should be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the fridge, rather than kept in their opened can, to minimize contamination and spoilage.
Your pantry (or cupboard) should be cool or moderate in temperature and dark for optimal storage. Cupboards located next to heat sources, like ovens, are not ideal for storing food, as exposure to extreme heat can increase the risk of contamination.
When To Toss Them
The checklist above is to ensure that your pantry items can be enjoyed at their best quality, but sometimes, stuff happens. Doing a visual and sniff test is another good way to check if a product is still safe to consume. Be sure to toss any of your pantry staples (opened or unopened) if the following has occurred:
Mold
Unless mold is supposed to be on a product (looking at you, blue cheese), this is a sure sign to toss. A visit to the trash can is all that’s required when a product starts growing mold, whether it’s been opened or not.
Weird textures or colours
It may not be mold, but if discoloured spots have appeared on your food, it’s probably time to throw it out. Other pantry staples, like nuts, may feel softer to the touch when they should be firm and crunchy. If it looks a little off, it might still be safe, but probably won’t be very tasty. You’re better off ditching it.
Bad smell
What’s that smell? Nothing good! If you open a jar or pop the top on a can and get a whiff of something unpleasant (and we don’t mean sauerkraut), throw it out. If a product doesn’t smell right—sour or sulfuric when it shouldn’t be—the safe bet is to toss it.
Bulging, denting, or rusting
Judging a book by its cover is a good rule of thumb for any containers that are dented, bulging, or rusted. Denting and rusting indicates a package that was damaged at some point and, if the container was breached, it may be more susceptible to bacteria. One of the most serious concerns for a bulging can or jar is botulism, a dangerous food toxin. The trapped gas may even create a hissing sound when opened. Throw them out. You’ll be glad you did.