Non-Perishable Foods: Types, Benefits, and Uses

Foods contain microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi that can be dangerous when consumed. Although washing and cooking food helps prevent food poisoning, proper storage is the first step.

Some foods require refrigeration below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius), while others remain stable at room temperature for long periods. These foods are called shelf-stable or non-perishable foods.

Keeping non-perishable foods like canned vegetables, dried fruits, and nuts in your pantry ensures you always have nutritious foods on hand. Natural disasters and emergencies can also limit access to food, water, and electricity needed for cooking or refrigeration. Stocking non-perishable foods and water can be life-saving.

While many foods need refrigeration, non-perishable foods can be stored in a pantry for a long time, up to five years. You can stock your pantry with canned goods, ready-to-eat pouch foods, dried foods, and many others.

Canned Foods 

Many foods, including fruits, vegetables, and beans, are available in cans. Commercially canned foods are safe to store without refrigeration for long periods:

• Low-acid canned foods: Canned meat, beans, and most vegetables can be stored for 2-5 years. 
• High-acid canned foods: Most canned fruits and juices have a shelf life of 12-18 months. 
• Home-canned foods: These have a shorter shelf life of 12 months and require boiling before use, so they may not be suitable in emergencies.

Canned foods don’t require refrigeration but should be stored in a cool, dry place away from temperature changes. The risk of spoilage increases at temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), so you shouldn’t store canned foods in a garage, basement, or near a stove. Importantly, you shouldn’t buy rusted, leaking, or bulging cans.

Retort Pouch Foods

Retort pouch foods are ready-to-eat meals or ingredients that are processed with heat to kill bacteria and then sealed in a pouch. This kind of packaging is shelf-stable at room temperature. It may be easier to store retort pouch foods when you have limited space because they can be stored flat, unlike cans.

The shelf life of retort pouch foods can vary, so you should check the manufacturer’s recommendations for storage. Some retort pouch foods include tuna fish, chicken breast, chili, and ham. Tuna and seafood in retort pouches have a shelf life of about 18 months.

Dried Foods

Many types of dried foods are available. Below are some dried non-perishable foods and how long you can store them in the pantry:

• Dried egg products: Powdered eggs are safe to store as long as they are kept cool and dry at room temperature. After opening, they need refrigeration. Make sure to check the package for the exact expiration date.
• Powdered milk: Dried milk products typically have a shelf life of 3-5 years, but you should keep it in dark storage; otherwise, it can spoil in as little as three months. 
• Rice: Dried rice is safe to store for up to two years.
• Dried pasta: Dried pasta is safe to store for up to two years.
• Jerky (commercially packaged): Jerky (dried meat) is safe to store for up to 12 months. 
• Ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk: This milk is heated at very high temperatures to kill the bacteria, sterilizing the liquid. It’s safe to store for up to 12 months, but check the package for the exact date.
• Nuts (canned or jars): Sealed nuts are safe to store for up to 12 months. Once opened, they can last 2-9 months.
• Ready-to-eat cereal: Unopened cereals can last 6-10 months. Once opened, they are good for 2-3 months.
• Dried fruits: Dehydrated fruits can last up to six months in a sealed package. Once opened, they are good for one month.

You can dry foods at home, but this may have some risks. Be sure to follow appropriate steps while preparing, drying, and storing the food. For example, you need to cook home-dried meat to 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73.9 degrees Celsius) before dehydration and dry it quickly enough to prevent food poisoning.

Home-dried foods also have a shorter shelf life. Home-dried jerky can be stored for 1-2 months, while commercially packed jerky lasts up to 12 months in the pantry.

Peanut Butter 

Peanut butter is a calorie-dense food and a good source of plant protein and healthy fats. It can be stored for up to nine months without refrigeration. After opening, peanut butter can stay in the pantry for 2-3 months.

Peanuts are a common allergen, and peanut butter is not safe for people with peanut allergies.

Protein and Fruit Bars

Protein and fruit bars are an easy way to supplement your daily protein and calorie intake. They can be useful for daily snacking and in case of emergencies. They generally have a long shelf life, but check the package for the exact expiration date.

Non-perishable foods can provide long-lasting sources of important nutrients, like carbohydrates, protein, and fats.

Carbohydrates

When stocking your pantry for emergencies, getting enough calories should be a priority. Without adequate energy intake, you may experience weakness, tiredness, and decreased concentration. Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy.

High-carbohydrate, non-perishable foods include:

• Rice
• Dried pasta
• Read-to-eat cereal
• Canned beans and legumes
• Canned fruits and fruit juice

Protein

Your body needs protein for the synthesis of muscles, hormones, and enzymes, as well as for cell repair, growth, and development. Non-perishable foods that provide protein include:

• Canned meat, poultry, fish
• Canned beans and legumes 
• Powdered eggs
• Powdered milk
• Non-perishable pasteurized milk
• Protein bars
• Nuts

Fats

Fats also provide the most energy per gram of food. Non-perishable foods rich in healthy fats include:

• Canned fish 
• Nuts and nut butters
• Oils, such as olive oil

Vitamins

Water-soluble vitamins, including most B vitamins, vitamin C, and folic acid, are also important in emergencies because the body doesn’t store them like fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). Non-perishable foods that contain water-soluble vitamins include:

• Canned fruits and vegetables 
• Beans and legumes
• Rice
• Dried pasta

When shopping for non-perishable foods, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Shop for a balanced diet: Include foods that provide protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Your body needs all those nutrients to function properly. 
• Consider nutritional needs: You or your family members may have specific nutritional requirements such as food intolerances and allergies. It’s important to read package information to ensure the foods don’t have unexpected ingredients.
• Read labels: Nutrition Facts labels include information on serving size, calories, and nutrients per serving. You can decide how much food to store based on this information. You can also check the Daily Value (DV) percentage to see if foods are high or low in certain nutrients. If the DV is less than 5%, the food only meets 5% of your daily need for that nutrient. If it is 20% or more, it provides a good portion of your daily requirement. A lower DV is better for saturated fat, sodium, trans fat, and sugar content.
• Check sodium and salt: Check the nutrition facts label for sodium content, especially in canned foods. Choose foods with the lowest sodium or ‘no salt added’ label, as regularly consuming high-sodium foods may harm health.
• Choose foods with less added sugar: Stock your pantry with nutrient-rich foods rather than high-sugar options like soda, fruit drinks, and candies.
• Buy foods in small boxes: Most shelf-stable foods need refrigeration after opening. Buy small packages of foods that are consumed in small portions and need refrigeration after opening to reduce food waste.
• Avoid storing caffeinated drinks and alcohol: These beverages increase your need for water, which can be limited in emergencies.
• Consider unexpected circumstances: Ensure you have enough non-perishable foods and water to last at least three days.

Storage Tips

Correctly storing your non-perishable foods helps extend their shelf-life as long as possible. A few tips for proper storage include:

• Store foods in containers with a cover in dry, dark, and cool places
• Don’t consume foods that come in contact with non-clean water
• Store a manual can opener and utensils alongside foods for emergency use
• Regularly check your pantry for expired or damaged foods
• Store foods in order of their expiration dates—foods with closer expiration dates in the front of the pantry and new foods toward the back

Use foods that are close to their expiration date and replace them with new packages as soon as possible. This will help reduce food waste and keep your pantry stocked with safe foods. Some meals using non-perishable foods include:

• Fried rice: Rice, canned garnish, spices, egg, and milk powder
• Corn and bean medley: Canned black beans and corn, onion, chili powder, and hot pepper flakes
• Fruit sorbet: Canned fruits, such as peaches and bananas
• Tuna pasta casserole: Pasta, canned tuna, mushrooms, tomatoes, parsley, onion, pepper, and cheese
• Rice bowl breakfast with fruits and nuts: Rice, powdered milk, canned fruits, and nuts

You may not have access to clean drinking water during emergencies. Store a minimum of one gallon of water per day per person for sanitation and drinking. You’ll need to store more water if you have children, nursing mothers, or older adults in the family or live in a hot climate.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends storing enough water to last you two weeks. If you can’t do that, the recommendation is to store enough for at least three days.

The amount of food you need to store depends on your and your family member’s nutritional needs. You need to meet your regular calorie intake in emergencies, if not more. It’s better to overestimate your caloric need than to underestimate it.

You can check Nutrition Fact labels to see how many calories a food provides per serving and calculate at least three days worth of food for all family members.

Non-perishable foods have a longer shelf life and don’t need refrigeration, making them a convenient pantry staple and an ideal option for an emergency food kit.

Nutritious non-perishables include canned meats, fruits, and vegetables, as well as nuts, rice, dried pasta, and powdered milk. They can provide you with the carbohydrates, protein, fats, and calories you need—plus plenty of meal options.

It’s important to keep your pantry up to date and rotate food with a close expiration date. When stocking up for emergencies, experts recommend storing at least three days worth of non-perishable foods and clean water.