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You probably have never wondered about shelf life the way you do now. Preppers have a bit of an obsession with shelf life because we have a little obsession with food storage.
Food storage is one of the most effective means of dealing with disaster. You see, when you are dealing with a disaster you can last much longer and be much more effective when you have a full belly. This goes for the other people in your family or your party, as well.
Now, you might have a good idea of what the average can good shelf life is but what about those items in your fridge.
Just because the power goes out does not mean you need to be out of refrigerated foods. A simple gas generator and some stored gas can give you refrigeration for days after the power goes out. You might even outlast the power outage itself.
Frozen Foods
Frozen foods can last about a year under freezing conditions as long as they are well wrapped. Food might last longer but it will be much less palatable.
Fresh Meats
You don’t want to go more than a day or 2 past the use by date on fresh meats and fish.
Ready to Eat Foods
If you have premade or ready to eat foods like potato salad, you only have about three days after you made that food before it gets dangerous from bacterial growth.
Liquid Dairy
If its milk, half and half, cream, etc you have 7 days past the best by date.
Soft Dairy
Things like yogurt and sour cream can last 14 days past the best by date. Cheeses can often last much longer. Hard cheeses can last for months.
Condiments
Most condiments are so full of sugar and salt that they are going to last for at least a month past the best by date.
You got a lot more wiggle room than you think. In short term power outages, you should plan to keep that fridge running.
