How Long Does It Last? Pantry Staples

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!

Shelf in the kitchen pantry with various cereals and seeds

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.

Farm Boy Diced Tomatoes
Tomatoes (Canned, Crushed, Diced, Sundried, or Paste)

Unopened: 12 to 18 months

Opened and refrigerated: 5 to 7 days

Farm Boy Kalamata Olives
Olives (Kalamata, Black, etc.)

Unopened: 2 to 5 years

Opened and refrigerated: 12 to 18 months

Farm Boy Flaked Light Tuna
Tuna (in Oil or Water)

Unopened: 2 to 5 years

Opened and refrigerated: 3 to 4 days

Farm Boy Organic Chickpeas
Beans (Canned)

Unopened: 2 to 5 years

Opened and refrigerated: 3 to 4 days

Farm Boy Organic Low Sodium Vegetable Broth
Broth (Beef, Chicken, or Vegetable)

Unopened: 2 to 5 years

Opened and refrigerated: 4 to 5 days

Farm Boy Tikka Masala Indian Cooking Sauce
Cooking Sauce (Indian Style)

Unopened: 12 to 18 months

Opened and refrigerated: 5 to 6 days

Farm Boy Basil Pesto
Pesto

Unopened: 12 to 18 months

Opened and refrigerated: 5 to 6 days

Farm Boy Alfredo Pasta Sauce
Pasta Sauce

Unopened: 12 to 18 months

Opened and refrigerated: 5 to 6 days

Farm Boy Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry Sauce (Jellied or Whole)

Unopened: 1 year

Opened and refrigerated: 5 to 6 days

Farm Boy Tuscan Minestrone Soup
Canned Soup (Except Tomato)

Unopened: 2 to 5 years

Opened and refrigerated: 5 to 7 days

Farm Boy Keto Red Pepper Soup
Tomato Soup

Unopened: 12 to 18 months

Opened and refrigerated: 5 to 7 days

Farm Boy Organic Applesauce
Applesauce

Unopened: 12 to 18 months

Opened and refrigerated: 1 to 2 weeks


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.

Pantry Staple: Farm Boy Canola Oil
Canola Oil

Unopened: 2 years

Opened: 1 year

Pantry Staple: Farm Boy Sunflower Oil
Sunflower Oil

Unopened: 2 years

Opened: 6 months

Pantry Staple: Farm Boy Vegetable Oil
Vegetable Oil

Unopened: 2 years

Opened: 6 to 12 months

Farm Boy Canola Cooking Spray
Cooking Spray

Unopened: 2 years

Opened: 6 to 12 months

Farm Boy Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil (Extra Virgin)

Unopened: 3 to 5 years

Opened: Up to 3 years

Pantry Staple: Farm Boy Whole Wheat Flour
Whole Wheat Flour

Unopened: 12 months

Opened: 6 to 8 months

Pantry Staple: Farm Boy All Purpose Flour
All Purpose Flour

Unopened: 12 months

Opened: 6 to 8 months

Farm Boy Almond Flour
Almond Flour

In Pantry: 2 to 4 months

In Fridge: 6 to 12 months

Farm Boy Organic Coconut Flour
Coconut Flour

Unopened: 12 to 18 months

Opened: 6 months

Pantry Staple: Farm Boy Cornstarch
Cornstarch

Indefinitely if stored properly.

Farm Boy Erythritol
Erythritol

Unopened: 2 to 5 years

Opened: 1 to 2 years


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.

Farm Boy™ Pepper Steak Seasoning
Seasoning Mixes

1 to 2 years

cinnamon sticks and ground cinnamon on white background
Cinnamon Sticks

3 to 4 years

Pantry Staple: Farm Boy Ground Turmeric
Ground Spices

2 to 3 years

Pantry Staple: Farm Boy Ground Basil
Dried Herbs

1 to 3 years

Pantry Staple: Farm Boy Fleur de Sel
Salt

Indefinitely


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.

Farm Boy Garlic Seasoned Croutons
Croutons

Unopened: 8 to 10 months

Opened: 3 to 4 weeks

Pantry Staple: Farm Boy Pasta
Pasta

Unopened: 2 years

Opened: Up to 1 year

Farm Boy Basmati Rice
Basmati Rice

Unopened: Indefinitely

Opened: 2 years

Pantry Staple: Farm Boy Long Grain Brown Rice
Brown Rice

Unopened: 6 months

Opened: 3 months

Farm Boy Parboiled Rice
Parboiled Rice (White or Wild)

Unopened: Indefinitely

Opened: 2 years

Farm Boy Calrose Medium Grain White Rice
White Rice

Unopened: Indefinitely

Opened: 2 years

Farm Boy Jasmine Rice
Jasmine Rice

Unopened: Indefinitely

Opened: 2 years

Farm Boy Large Flake Oats
Oats (Steel Cut, Quick, or Large Flake)

Unopened: 1 year

Opened: 4 to 6 months


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.

Bowl of fresh pickles on a wooden board.
Pickles

Unopened: Indefinitely

Opened and refrigerated: 1 to 2 years

Lineup of Farm Boy Hot Sauces
Hot Sauce

Unopened: Up to 2 years

Opened and refrigerated: 1 to 2 years

Opened and room temperature: 6 months

Farm Boy™ Chipotle BBQ Sauce
BBQ Sauce

Unopened: 1 year

Opened and refrigerated: 6 to 9 months

Opened and room temperature: 1 month

Pantry Staple: Farm Boy Raspberry Jam on white background
Jam and Jelly

Unopened: 2 years

Opened and refrigerated: 1 year

Pantry Staple: Farm Boy Champagne & Honey Mustard
Mustard

Unopened: 2 years

Opened and refrigerated: 1 year

Opened and room temperature: 1 to 2 months

Farm Boy Green Tomatillo Relish
Relish

Unopened: 2 to 3 years

Opened and refrigerated: 6 to 9 months

Farm Boy™ Maple Syrup
Maple Syrup

Unopened: 1 year

Opened and refrigerated: 6 to 12 months

White dip cup filled with ketchup on white background stock photo.
Ketchup

Unopened: Up to 2 years

Opened and refrigerated: 1 year

Opened and room temperature: 1 to 2 months

Farm Boy Pure Ontario Honey
Honey

Unopened or opened: Indefinitely

Farm Boy All Natural Peanut Butter
Peanut Butter

Unopened: 6 to 9 months

Opened and room temperature: 3 months

Farm Boy Red Wine Vinegar
Wine Vinegar

Best if used within 2 years, safe indefinitely.

Farm Boy Malt Vinegar
Malt Vinegar

Best if used within 2 years, safe indefinitely.

Pantry Staple: Farm Boy Pure White Vinegar
White Vinegar

Unopened or opened: Indefinitely

Pantry Staple: Farm Boy Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar

Best if used within 2 years, safe indefinitely.

Farm Boy Lemon Garlic with Honey Dressing
Salad Dressing

Unopened: 12 to 18 months

Opened and refrigerated: 1 to 3 months


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.

Farm Boy™ White Cheddar Popcorn
Popcorn

Unopened: 6 to 12 months

Opened: 1 to 2 weeks

Two bags of Farm Boy Pretzels behind two glass containers filled with them.
Pretzels

Unopened: 2 months

Opened: 1 to 2 weeks

Pantry staple: Farm Boy Barbecue Potato Chips spilling out of bag onto dark wooden table
Chips

Unopened: 2 months

Opened: 1 to 2 weeks

Pantry Staple: Box of Farm Boy Rosemary & Thyme Sourdough Crackers
Crackers

Unopened: 8 months

Opened: 1 month

The image shows a stack of nine Farm Boy Oatmeal Cookies on a paper napkin. One cookie is angled to face the camera. Out of focus in the background on the right is the box of Farm Boy Oatmeal Cookies. In the background out of focus on the right is a glass bottle of Farm Boy Organic Milk.
Cookies

Unopened: 2 months

Opened: 1 month

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.

Shopping Cart
Scroll to Top