How long can the consumer store the food and still use it at top quality?
Since product dates aren't a guide for safe use of a product, how long can the consumer store the food and still use it at top quality? Follow these tips:Purchase the product before the date expires.
- If perishable, take the food into the provision room immediately after purchase and refrigerate it promptly. Freeze it if you can't use it within times recommended on the chart.
- Once a perishable product is frozen, it doesn't matter if the date expires because foods kept frozen continuously are safe indefinitely.
- Follow handling recommendations on product.
- Consult the following storage chart.
Food stored constantly at 0 °F will always be safe, and expiration date is indefinite. Only the quality suffers with lengthy freezer storage.
(source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture)
Shelf life of the products we regularly supply
| Description (items with packing dates) | Use by date |
|---|---|
| Frozen Bread | 6-9 months after the packing date |
| Frozen Meat | 12 months after the packing date |
| Frozen Fish | 12 months after the packing date |
| Cheese | 3-12 months shelf life depends on the cheese type |
| Description (items with no packing dates) | Use by date |
|---|---|
| Indian Spices | at least one year shelf life |
| Indian Lentils | at least 1 year shelf life |
| Flour, Rice, Salt, Sugar | at least 1-3 years shelf life |
