If you could only select five foods to survive on, potatoes, kale, trail mix, grains, and beans would get you pretty far.
Cans in good condition—meaning no dents, swelling or rust—stored in a cool, clean, dry place are safe indefinitely. We're talking corn, peas, carrots, green beans, asparagus, peaches, pears, pineapple and so much more.
Most shelf-stable foods are safe indefinitely. In fact, canned goods will last for years, as long as the can itself is in good condition (no rust, dents, or swelling).
For longer-term needs, and where permitted, gradually build a supply of food that will last a long time and that you can use to stay alive, such as wheat, white rice, and beans. These items can last 30 years or more when properly packaged and stored in a cool, dry place.
However, there is no known food that supplies all the needs of human adults on a long-term basis. Since Taylor is determined to follow a one-food diet, then potatoes are probably as good as anything, as they contain a wider range of amino acids, vitamins and minerals than other starchy foods, such as pasta or rice.
Dried foods, like beans and grains, can last 20 to 30 years when stored correctly in sealed foil bags. Because storing dried foods in mylar bags sealed inside a food-grade bucket is the best storage method, foods stored in this manner can reach their maximum shelf lives.
Low-Acid Canned Goods
According to the FSIS, canned foods with a low acid content, like meat, beans, peas, soups, or vegetables (or our favorite, canned tuna), will keep anywhere from two to five years. High-acid canned goods like tomato sauce and canned fruit will keep up to 18 months.
Canned Vegetables, Such as Green Beans, Carrots, and Peas
To pack in as many healthy vitamins and minerals as possible, order a case of mixed vegetable cans from Libby's. Inside each can, you'll find peas, carrots, corn, lima beans, and green beans, giving you a well-balanced meal straight from the jar.
Can you eat “expired” canned food? Good news: Shelf-stable canned goods are safe more or less indefinitely, lasting up to five years or more according to the USDA.
What is this? Properly canned and entirely unopened, canned tuna can last for three to five years after the canning process. It will still, generally speaking, be quite safe to eat even after that.
While the keeper of an emergency underground bunker might have you believe SPAM® products offer eternal freshness, there is, in fact, a limit to their goodness. On the bottom of every can of SPAM® product you'll find a “best by” date. This is the date Hormel Foods recommends using the product by.
Commercial sugars (granular, syrup, and honey) have an indefinite shelf life due to their resistance to microbial growth. However, sugars have a best-if-used by date of approximately 2 years for quality concerns.
While salt itself has no expiration date, salt products that contain iodine or seasonings that contain other ingredients such as spices, colors and flavors can deteriorate over time.
While water doesn't expire, some concerns are associated with its plastic bottles. These vessels can produce health concerns and odd tastes as they degrade over time and microplastics enter the water. Properly storing water in your warehouse, office or facility may help mitigate these risks.
Build up your everyday stock of canned goods until you have a two-week to one-month surplus. Rotate it periodically to maintain a supply of common foods that will not require special preparation, water or cooking. From a sporting or camping equipment store, buy commercially packaged, freeze-dried or air-dried foods.
Does Flour Expire? Flour does have "expiration" dates, but that doesn't necessarily mean you can't use the flour. There are a few things to check before you toss that bag of expired flour. All flour sacks have a "best by" or "best if used by" date printed on their packaging.