Categories: Camp TipsFood 301

Expiration Date of Condiment Packets

Do you stow unused condiment packets from fast-food restaurants? These packets come in handy when traveling and when you run out of something at home. The most common single-serve packets include ketchup, mustard, mayo, soy sauce, hot sauce, parmesan cheese, salad dressing, sugar, salt/pepper, and plastic jelly cups.

How long can you keep single-serve packets? If you examine the condiment, most do not have an expiration date. Packets are shipped by the thousand in bulk, and the recommended “Expiration Date” or “Best By” date (established by the manufacturer) is often only displayed on the bulk container rather than stamped on the individual packets. These dates are not official expiration dates but quality indicators to guarantee peak flavor and product quality. You can safely consume products after these dates if appropriately stored in a cool and dry area.

What is the shelf life of condiment packets?

There is no official guideline from the USDA or FDA for condiments – or any other food. Except for infant formula and some baby foods, Federal regulations do not require product dates (source: fsis.usda.gov). Sealed foil packaged condiments provide an impermeable barrier from light, air, and moisture. This allows the product to last for years – if not decades.

Guidelines:

  • Storage conditions of condiment packets. In general, unopened condiment packets can last several months to a year, provided they are stored in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.
  • Before consuming the condiment, inspect the packaging. Toss the packet if it appears puffy or damaged; When you open the packet, check the color and texture of the sauce and discard it if there is an odd coloration, texture, or odor.
  • Condiments containing fats (mayo, butter) go rancid more quickly.
  • Paper-based packets can spoil faster, although salt and granulated sugar do NOT go bad. Ground Pepper will lose flavor after 3 – 4 years as the oils dry out.
  • Vinegar is safe to consume indefinitely due to the acetic acid content, but the packaged salad vinegar will lose its peak flavor in as little as one year.
  • Honey does not spoil because of its high sugar and low moisture content. Make sure the honey is actual bee honey and not corn syrup.
  • The plastic tubs of jelly with the top peel may last 2 – 3 years. Plastic creamers and margarine cups expire quickly and must be refrigerated.

We referenced a handful of resources – including the manufacturer’s recommended “Best By” dates and compiled this data for some of the most common condiments.

Condiment For Optimal Flavor
Mayonnaise 1 year
Relish 1 year
BBQ Sauce 1 year
Tartar Sauce 1 year
Horseradish Sauce 1 year
Maple Syrup 1 year
Nut Butters – Almond, Peanut, Cashew 1 year
Salad Dressing 1 year
Ketchup 1 year
Olive Oil 1 – 2 years
Parmesan Cheese 1 – 2 years
Taco sauce 1 – 2 years
Mustard 1 – 2 years
Soy Sauce 1 – 2 years
Tabasco sauce 3 – 4 years
Pepper 3 – 4 years
Vinegar 3 – 4 years
Honey Indefinite
Salt Indefinite
Sugar Indefinite
Artificial Sweeteners Eat at your own risk!

Find something missing? The website StillTasty offers an accurate look-up tool for bottled condiments.

Finally, don’t forget to enjoy some real food packed with substance and plant-based spices. You may find you don’t want (or need) all those condiment packets covering up the taste!

Related Posts:

Outdoor Herbivore

View Comments

  • I would like to see more detailed information on other products and I also noticed that the picture that you have posted on this website or blog (packets of hot fire sauce from Taco Bell) is not on the chart or table you've provided. Aside from this, I do appreciate the effort that has been made in providing more facts for the general public. Thank you.

  • The hot sauce is on the chart as 'taco sauce' & lasts 1-2 years.

  • Is there any benefit to freezing these packets? My plan has been to freeze any extra packets we got,

    • I don't recommend freezing the packets. Some of the condiments will separate and turn watery or grainy when frozen. It is best to leave them at room temperature or a cool location.

  • What do you suppose the "best before" life of sweet and sour sauce in clear plastic packets is?

  • Thank you for this informative post but I hope you could list more products :) anyway, thank you again, your blog is very helpful!

  • Thanks for posting this information. I typically snack on packets of mayo and such and appreciate the guidelines you've posted in such a clear and easy to understand format.

  • This is good info. I guess I need to mark the year on mayo and other packets before I put them in storage.

  • I often wondered about how long to keep all the unused condiment packets my family accumulates. This information was very helpful. Thank you for your research.

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