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.
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:
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!
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Why isn’t there an expiration date on individual condiments such as mayo, Ketchup, etc. for all we know, they could be using them for couple of years? There should be some kind of regulation on the label? I know it’s on the case of the condiments but once they destroy the case you don’t know?
It would be helpful to have the Best-By date printed on the condiment packet, although it would likely make the product more expensive. The FDA does not require a date on condiment packets. It is voluntary by the manufacturer.