Staff Writers
May 31, 2013
news.com.au
A 10-YEAR-OLD and still edible Chupa Chup found in the cupboard of a news.com.au staffer got us all thinking – if we woke up from a multi-year slumber, what foods would still be safe to eat?
According to the Australian Food Standards board, packaged food with a shelf life of less than two years must have a date mark – but if there’s no date mark, you are free to consume at your own risk.
So, here are our top ten products that never go off – share yours below and tweet us a pic of the oldest thing on your shelf!
Liquor
We know wine gets better with age, but hard liquors like rum will keep in a cool dark place for as long as you need them to.
Vegemite
It’s mocked for looking like tar, but we bet if you were stuck with a plain loaf of bread and some boring butter, you wouldn’t say no to this salt packed spread – even if it had been in someone’s possession for ten years.
Sugar
Sugar will not spoil, but to prevent it from turning hard keep it in an airtight container.
Honey
It might change colour and crystallise slightly, but honey lasts forever, and the crystals can be melted out.
White Vinegar
If all the other salad dressings in the world disappear, this will become your best friend.
Rice
Every kind of rice can be kept for years except for brown rice – reason #1257604 to not eat the stuff!
Vanilla extract
Not to be confused with vanilla essence, vanilla extract is made from alcohol and thus won’t expire.
Salt
No matter what form it comes in, salt will stay as salty as the first day you sprinkled it on your steak.
Soy Sauce
Like vegemite, soy sauce is full of salt, and handy to have around.
After all that we feel like we must warn you: eat age-old food at your own peril. Or, as the food standards board recommends, “If in doubt throw it out”.
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