FOOD STORAGE STUDY GUIDE — PART 1
Welcome to our Food Storage and Emergency Preparation Study Guide!
Learning how to store food safely is an important part of everyday living and preparing for unexpected emergencies.
This free educational guide provides simple information, photographs and practical advice about different types of food, their approximate shelf lives, proper storage methods and important food safety precautions.
Whether you are storing food for everyday use, saving money by reducing food waste, or preparing emergency supplies for yourself and your family, this guide is designed to help you make informed decisions.
Our aim is to share useful knowledge with people around the world, helping individuals, families and communities become better prepared for the future.
FOOD STORAGE STUDY GUIDE — PART 1-Canned foods
FOOD STORAGE STUDY GUIDE — PART 1-Canned foods
Food
Approximate shelf life
Canned beans, corn, carrots
2–5 years
Canned tuna, salmon, sardines
2–5 years
Canned soups and stews
2–5 years
Canned peaches, pears
12–18 months
Canned tomatoes, pineapple
12–18 months
These are general quality estimates for commercially canned foods stored unopened in a cool, dry place. Follow the product's date and storage instructions. Some canned foods may remain safe beyond these estimates if the can is intact and storage conditions were suitable.
Important: Never use cans that are bulging, leaking, badly rusted or otherwise seriously damaged. Never taste food to check whether it is safe.
2. Dry foods
2. Dry foods
Food
Approximate shelf life
White rice
1–2 years
Brown rice
3–6 months
Dried pasta
1–2 years
Dried beans and lentils
1–2 years
Rolled oats
6–12 months
Plain flour
6–12 months
These are approximate quality periods for unopened products under suitable pantry conditions, not guaranteed safety limits. Airtight storage can protect against moisture and insects, but it does not make food last forever.
3. Long-lasting emergency foods
3. Long-lasting emergency foods
Food
Approximate shelf life
Honey
Many years if properly stored
Peanut butter
6–24 months
Powdered milk
1–2 years
UHT long-life milk
6–9 months
Crackers
6–9 months
Check each package's best-before or use-by date. Shelf life varies considerably by manufacturer, packaging and storage temperature.
4. Important food storage rules
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Important food storage rules
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Store food in a cool, dry, dark place.
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Keep food away from sunlight, moisture, insects and cleaning chemicals.
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Use older food first and replace it with newer supplies.
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Follow the storage instructions on every package.
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Use-by means safety. Best-before means quality. Never eat food after its use-by date.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand+1
For unopened canned food, check the container before using it. Once opened, refrigerate leftovers promptly in a suitable covered container.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand
