Spring cleaning is in the air! Purge the old and start fresh. Whether or not your condiments come with an expiration date, it may be time to toss them to avoid getting you & your family sick.
For example, oils that you keep too long can become rancid from being exposed to light, air & heat. Research suggests these rancid oils may cause inflammation & heart disease. Eeek.
Here’s a quick guide to “how long it lasts” once opened:
- Oils (average): 4 months refrigerated, 1-3 months in pantry
- BBQ Sauce: 4 months refrigerated
- Honey: 1 year in pantry
- Ketchup: 6 months refrigerated
- Mayonnaise: 2 months refrigerated
- Mustard: 1 year refrigerated
- Natural Nut Butter: 3 months refrigerated
- Pickles: 3 months refrigerated
- Salsa (fresh): 7 days refrigerated
- Salsa (jarred): 2 months refrigerated
- Spaghetti Sauce: 4 days refrigerated
- Vinegar: 1 year in pantry
(Dates courtesy of homefoodsafety.org & Texas A&M)
General Rule of Thumb: Store open condiments in air-tight containers in the fridge. Reaching into the jar w/ a knife or fork? Use a clean utensil so you don’t set yourself up for growing mold or bacteria in there.
