77 Surprising Expiration Dates

A handy keep-or-toss guide to 77 foods, beauty products, and household goods.

Food

 

 

Beer

Unopened: 4 months.

 

Brown sugar

Indefinite shelf life, stored in a moistureproof container in a cool, dry place.

 

Chocolate (Hershey bar)

1 year from production date

 

Coffee, canned ground

Unopened: 2 years

Opened: 1 month refrigerated

 

Coffee, gourmet

Beans: 3 weeks in paper bag, longer in vacuum-seal bag (after this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume)

Ground: 1 week in sealed container

 

Coffee, instant

Unopened: Up to 2 years

Opened: Up to 1 month

 

Diet soda (and soft drinks in plastic bottles)

Unopened: 3 months from “best by” date.

Opened: Doesn't spoil, but taste is affected.

 

Dried pasta

12 months

 

Frozen dinners

Unopened: 12 to 18 months

 

Frozen vegetables

Unopened: 18 to 24 months

Opened: 1 month

 

Honey

Indefinite shelf life

 

Juice, bottled (apple or cranberry)

Unopened: 8 months from production date

Opened: 7 to 10 days

 

Ketchup

Unopened: 1 year (after this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume)

Opened or used: 4 to 6 months (after this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume)

 

Maple syrup, real or imitation

1 year

 

Maraschino cherries

Unopened: 3 to 4 years

Opened: 2 weeks at room temperature; 6 months refrigerated

 

Marshmallows

Unopened: 40 weeks

Opened: 3 months

 

Mayonnaise

Unopened: Indefinitely

Opened: 2 to 3 months from “purchase by” date (after this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume)

 

Mustard

2 years (after this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume)