Ensuring that food is stored properly extends shelf life and maintains a high level of food safety to keep you and your family safe.

It’s likely that in 2020, many of us have a stockpile of food essentials leftover from ‘panic buying’. Or perhaps you’ve always been someone who keeps extra stock of items on-hand. With most items being pantry staples, it is important to consider how to store these items to get the best shelf life out of them and keep them fresh.

We have put together several food storage tips for storing your pantry staple items:

Flour

Store in an airtight container at the back of your pantry, or in the darkest and coolest place you can find. This will help to prevent flour harbouring weevils. If you have large quantities, split into batches and place in the freezer.

Rice, Cereals and Grains

Best stored in an airtight container, again in a cool, dry place (back of the pantry/cupboard).

Milks 

Long-life and UHT milks should be stored in a cool, dry pantry for as long as the date on the packaging suggests. Although, once you have opened the milk it will need to be refrigerated as per the instructions on the carton.

Tinned food

Tinned or canned products can be stored in the pantry safely for up to one year. Your tinned goods are best kept in a dry place with a temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius.

Sugars and Sweeteners

Store in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. In summer months it may be best to keep any liquid sweeteners (maple syrup, golden syrup) in the fridge.

Sauces and Vinegars

For longevity, sauces and vinegars are best stored in a cool and dry pantry out of direct sunlight. In the summer months, sauces and vinegars may also be best stored in your fridge to avoid the risk of further fermentation or spoilage.

Final food storage tips

• Having a storage system that allows you to see what is in each container is a top food storage tip. This not only assists you in knowing what you have and in what quantities, it can help keep any little critters out! Clear containers or labels are just one way of achieving this.
• Save your memory and write the date of opening on the item or container too! This will ensure you are consuming an item within its use-by date.

Now that you’ve reorganised your pantry, why not take a look at our home cleaning tips and tricks blogs and learn about “finessing your fridge.”