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Food Expiration Dates 101: 14 Foods That (Almost) Never Expire

Who hasn't found items in their pantry that you can't even remember buying. (Was that mustard from two months or two years ago?) But before you start tossing things out, read on to find out which foods never expire (or practically last forever) (15 Photos)

Esther Carlstone on Oct 31, 2012 at 8:17AM

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Food Expiration Dates 101: 14 Foods That (Almost) Never Expire

Alexandra Grablewski/Lifesize/Getty Images

100% Pure Maple Syrup

Shelf life: One year in a cool pantry or refrigerator, indefinitely in the freezer.

How to store: In a cool area, or the freezer.

If you’re itching to make pancakes but are worried that the bottle of maple syrup may be a tad too old, have no fear. As long as it is stored in the fridge or freezer properly, maple syrup can last almost forever due to its high sugar level (which is antibacterial). Even if it develops a little mold, the Massachusetts Maple Producers Association says to boil the syrup, skim the top, and pour it into a new, clean container. Voilà! Good as new.