Hello, Rob Raskin of Las Vegas here, and today I’d like to talk to you about expiration dates. When you are stockpiling supplies, it’s important to be aware of the shelf life of each product, because this can help you make important decisions about what you should buy, and how much of it you should have on-hand. Spending too much on something that is going to go bad before you have the chance to use it is not a wise investment, and that money can be devoted instead to other supplies that will last longer.
What Will Expire
You’d be surprised how many things you’d never expect to have expiration dates that actually do expire. For example, did you know Kevlar items expire? These gloves and vests may be able to withstand bullets, but they cannot withstand the passing of time. Aspirin is another important item that will expire, and your stash of potassium iodide will as well, as will gas masks, shortening, Neosporin, baking soda, and many other important items. Don’t forget to rotate your stock so you don’t waste anything or make unnecessary purchases.
What Won’t Expire
If you want to buy products that won’t expire, then some excellent choices are sugar, white rice, honey, bouillon cubes, soy sauce, dried lentils and beans, molasses, Jell-O mix, and even hard liquor. Some non-food items to consider are water filters, charcoal, and cast iron cookware. Another thing that doesn’t have an expiration date, per se, is livestock. Sure, the animal will eventually die, but if the conditions are right they could also live long enough to be an incredible source of eggs, milk, meat, or to breed.
Best Before Dates
One area in which there is a lot of confusion is the “best by” or “best before” date. Many people confuse this with an expiration date, but it is actually a term that describes freshness so you can assured the product will still have the best quality and flavor. While we all love for our food to taste its best, in a SHTF situation, what’s really important is if the food is safe to eat. Many items are safe for consumption after the best before date has passed, so know the difference between the best by and expiration dates of anything before you eat it. This is Rob Raskin, wishing you happy homesteading and prepping, and I hope you check back next time because I’ve got more helpful tips to post soon.
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