Do you ever allow your food to waste or spoil without realizing? Perhaps, you are unsure of how long your foods are actually good for? Well, here is a guide to the estimated shelf-life of the basic foods found in your pantry, fridge, and freezer:
In The Pantry
Canned Goods and Bottled Items: Generally, canned goods and bottled items have a shelf life of about 1 year.
Dry Goods: These items can be kept for up to 6 months.
Seasoning and Spices: Whole spices can be kept for up to 2 years, while ground spices should only be kept for about 6 months.
In The Fridge
Eggs: Eggs are good for about 3-4 weeks.
Meat: Cook meat within 4 days of the purchase date. Tip: By removing the retail packaging and wrapping meat in foil, the shelf-life can be extended.
Fish: Fish can be kept in the coolest part of the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Tip: Always check the smell before cooking; if it smells too fishy or looks discolored, throw it out.
In The Freezer
Frozen Fruits and Vegetables: Generally, these items can last for 8-10 months.
Meat: The maximum freezer storage time for beef is 6 months; pork and poultry, 4 months; and sausage, 2 months.
Fish: Fish can stay good in the freezer for up to 6 months. With the exception of fattier fish, which should not be frozen for over 3 months.
