How long food REALLY lasts in your cupboard
‘BEST before’ labels are merely a guide to quality – food can be safe to eat months or even years later. Cut out these date label guidelines from the charity Wrap and major food firms to pin up inside a kitchen cupboard.
CRISPS
Fine to eat
ONE MONTH past ‘Best before’ date
Top tip: Crisps left out in a bowl go soft because the starch in them absorbs moisture. Put them in the microwave for 30 seconds to help restore crunchiness.
CAKE
Fine to eat
THREE MONTHS past ‘Best before’ date
Top tip: You can freeze cakes in slices. Put a piece of greaseproof paper between each slice before freezing to stop them sticking together, then defrost just what you need. Sponges that have gone dry can be refreshed by popping them in the oven for a few minutes to soften up.
BISCUITS
Fine to eat
SIX MONTHS past ‘Best before’ date
Top tip: The best way to stop biscuits going stale is to put them in resealable bags and push as much air out as you can before sealing them.
CEREALS
Fine to eat
SIX MONTHS past ‘Best before’ date
Top tip: Cereals that have become stale can be refreshed in a hot oven for a couple of minutes to crisp.
SOFT DRINKS
Fine to drink
ONE MONTH past ‘Best before’ date
Top tip: Once you’ve drunk about half a plastic bottle of soft drink, squeeze the bottle to remove as much excess air as possible. This will limit the amount of space for the carbon dioxide and keep the drink fizzier for longer.
DRIED PASTA AND PULSES
Fine to eat
THREE YEARS past ‘Best before’ date
Top tip: If you cook too much pasta, rinse it in cold water and freeze in meal-sized portions. These can be reheated in a microwave or in boiling water when needed.
CANNED SOUP/ BEANS/FISH/MEAT
Fine to eat
THREE YEARS past ‘Best before’ date
Top tip: Keep canned beans in a cool, dry location and out of direct sunlight. Keep beans off the floor for airflow and away from hot appliances.
NOODLE POT
Fine to eat
THREE YEARS past ‘Best before’ date
Top tip: Keep in a cool, dry location and out of direct sunlight.
JAMS/CONDIMENTS/ SAUCES
Fine to eat
THREE YEARS past ‘Best before’ date
Top tip: Jam can be kept in the cupboard as long as nothing else gets in it, such as butter from a knife. But if you keep a lot of jams – particularly the less sugary varieties – keeping them in the fridge will help them to last longer.
CHOCOLATE AND SWEETS
Fine to eat
ONE YEAR past ‘Best before’ date
Top tip: Don’t refrigerate chocolate – it absorbs other odours. Moisture in the fridge causes ‘sugar bloom’ – the sugar rises up and discolours the chocolate. The taste is not affected, but it looks unappealing. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot.