Check Your Pantry—These Items Have Most Likely Already Gone Bad
According to the USA Rice Federation, whole grain rice, or brown rice, has oil content in the attached bran, aleurone, and germ, making it more susceptible to oxidation.
Cornmeal adds a crunchy finish to some recipes and is a great gluten-free alternative. The University of Missouri reports that it only keeps for about a year, but to make it last longer, store the cornmeal in a cool, dark, and dry place.
Crackers are a beloved crunchy pantry must-have, but once opened, they spoil rather quickly. "[Crackers] absorb moisture from the air, leading to a stale product that loses its crispiness," says Sarah Harper MS, RD, LDN
The National Center for Home Food Preservation confirms that most dried fruit lasts anywhere from four months to one year. For instance, figs last around three months while raisins last the entire year.
Nuts are an easy-to-enjoy snack and are even better on the go. Unfortunately, the longevity of nuts is not very long. On the shorter end, pistachios last about three months, while almonds can last up to one year.
This one may cause a pause, but there's a caveat here. Most commercial peanut butter lasts a while in the pantry if they're unopened like six to 24 months.
Even though they're not technically food, spices don't last forever. “Ground spices lose their potency quicker than whole spices, as they are exposed to air and light," chef and certified nutritionist Norah Clark says.