Sure, most things you buy in the grocery store either have an expiration date or a sell by date, but those dates are all automated. They don’t take into account storage methods or other, environmental factors. Sometimes food lasts longer than the expiration date, in which case, there’s no need to throw away perfectly good food! On the other hand, sometimes food goes bad before the expiration date. Either way, it’s good to know some of the signs for when to toss, and when to keep certain foods.
Butter
We’ve never personally been in the position of keeping butter around long enough for it to go bad, but it would be good nkow the signs of rancid butter if, theoretically, that were to happen. Butter stored at room temperature will not last nearly as long as butter stored in the fridge. A general rule of thumb is that butter can last up to four months in the fridge. Signs that your butter is going bad are: foul smell and foul taste.
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Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is definitely a pantry staple, but how long can one of these jars last? Actually, probably longer than you might think! It’s very hard for bacteria to survive in peanutbutter, so you can be assured that your peanut butter stash is safe for at least six months. If the peanut butter changes in smell, flavor, or consistency, then it’s probably time to buy a new jar.
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Rice
White rice in a sealed package can last indefinitely, but brown rice has a higher oil content, so it can actually go bad after a year or so. Once cooked, any kind of rice should be stored in the fridge and eaten within four days. After four days, the rice is at risk for growing all sorts of bacteria that can even survive the reheating process.
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Canned Goods
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Many people think that canned goods are pretty much apocolypse-proof, but there are a few things to be weary of. A good rule of thumb is: if the can is dented or rusted, the food inside can’t be trusted. The content of the can is important too – foods that are high in acidity like fruits won’t last nearly as long as cans low in acidity and high in sodium.
See some other warning signs for your food in the video below!