Many people believe that baking soda, found in almost every kitchen, has an unlimited shelf life. But is it? How long can it actually be stored at home without losing its valuable qualities? Under what conditions and in what container is it best to keep it after opening? Read in this article.
Photo: Sigaeva O.
On a note. Synonyms for baking soda: sodium bicarbonate/bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO3, food additive E500 (ii).
What packaging is it sold in?
The containers in which manufacturers pack their bulk product leaves much to be desired. Typically this is:
- plastic bags;
- carton boxes;
- plastic jars with a lid.
Such packaging is not very reliable and is often not airtight enough.
Advice. This is easy to check when purchasing: just turn it over and shake it. Soda powder should not spill out. Otherwise, there is a high probability that it managed to absorb moisture from the air, as well as other substances (including odorous ones) that were stored nearby in the warehouse.
Store-bought containers are also not very suitable for storing at home. Therefore, immediately after purchase, you should pour the soda into a more suitable container.
BSK - the soda giant of Russia
Construction of the future largest soda plant in Russia began in 1941. This proves the extreme importance of the facility - one of the few civilian enterprises that were built during the Great Patriotic War. In 1945, the construction of buildings, installation and commissioning of equipment were completed. The plant produced the first batch of caustic soda, which the Soviet Union urgently needed. The company began producing food-grade (purified) sodium bicarbonate only in the 60s. Since then, it has taken a leading position in quality and production volume, which it maintains to this day.
In 1994, the history of the joint stock company BSK began - a modern enterprise, in the form in which we know it today. Modernization of equipment, introduction of innovative technologies, establishment of partnerships - all this allowed the plant to maintain and strengthen its position in the market. The brand's products have received more than 100 different awards, including the All-Russian Brand (III Millennium). Quality mark of the 21st century." The plant is a strategic partner of the military-industrial complex, meeting the needs of industry, as well as ordinary citizens.
Optimal storage conditions
How to properly store this product so that it does not lose its qualities for a long time?
Three conditions must be met:
- dark place without direct sunlight;
- constant air temperature (in the range of 10–30 °C according to GOST 32802-2014);
- low relative humidity level (no more than 70%).
Requirements for baking soda are set out in official documentation: GOST 2156-76, GOST 32802-2014, SanPiN 2.3.2.1324-03.
The best choice is a closed kitchen cabinet away from the stove, microwave, refrigerator and coffee maker (to prevent temperature “jumps”).
Keep the baking soda in an airtight, closed container to prevent moisture from penetrating inside. If this does happen, it is recommended to throw away the wet part of the powder.
Which container you choose for storage is not so important, but experienced housewives advise using a jar (always with a tightly sealed lid) made from the following materials of your choice:
- glass;
- metal;
- ceramics.
Photo: Sigaeva O.
Baking soda can and should be kept in tin containers. The metal shell creates a reliable protective barrier from the moisture of kitchen air, saturated with all kinds of odors.
You can place a sticker on the jar indicating the expiration date so as not to miss the moment when the sodium bicarbonate loses its “strength”.
You can also keep the baking soda powder in a durable plastic bag equipped with a zip fastener (these are easy to find at your local store, but they cost pennies) or in a hermetically sealed container. This way the product will be reliably protected from air and moisture.
Advice. Before sealing the bag filled with sodium bicarbonate, press down on it to release all the air.
This storage method has its drawback - soda can absorb pungent odors even through polyethylene, so it is advisable to place it away from spices and other odorous products.
Using an expired product
After 6 months from the moment the package is opened, it is undesirable to use soda for culinary and medicinal purposes. But you shouldn’t rush to throw it away. This powder can be useful, for example, for cleaning silverware. And you can store it as long as you like, the main thing is to keep it in a closed container to protect it from moisture.
There is nothing complicated about how to store baking soda. Read our recommendations carefully, and you will always have a quality product at hand, suitable for all occasions.
Shelf life
Does baking/drinking/tea soda have an expiration date? Yes, like any other food product.
- The manufacturer must indicate the release date and guaranteed shelf life (18 months) on the packaging.
- After opening the original container, sodium bicarbonate should be used for medicinal and food purposes within the first 6 months. Further - only for household needs.
On a note. American organic soda, if stored properly, can be used for much longer - for 2-3 years.
American baking soda from iHerb.
Chemical formula
For chemists, this powder is represented by the following letter images - NaHCO3. The taste is salty and soapy. But if you add it to a solution of acetic acid, a neutralization reaction will occur. The result is a fizzy drink. To prepare it, you need to monitor the expiration date of baking soda. Then the result will be guaranteed to be expected.
The composition of soda is always the same. It is strictly regulated by quality standards, determined by category and grade. It is this technical documentation that contains information about the permissible levels of sodium carbonate, which causes the alkaline reaction, as well as other impurities.
Quite often, soda is used in pharmacology to prepare various drugs. In this case, the chemical purity of the substance is especially important. Therefore, there is a separate regulation for it, which regulates the composition, as well as the shelf life of baking soda after opening.
Can it be stored in an open box?
Since the easiest way to find baking soda on store shelves is in a cardboard box (produced by Bashkir Soda Company JSC), many housewives are concerned whether, after purchasing and opening, they can leave the substance in its original packaging.
If you do not plan to use the entire volume of the box (500 g) in a short time, you should not do this. Sodium bicarbonate quickly absorbs moisture from the environment and foreign odors.
It is recommended to check the quality of soda that has been sitting in the kitchen for more than 6 months in an open package.
general description
This additive is officially called E 500. It is in every housewife’s kitchen. And where would we be without her? We add it to baked goods and use it as a cleaning agent. And salt, soda and iodine are a great way to cure a sore throat. It can be used as a detergent that compares favorably with what is sold in stores. Does baking soda have an expiration date? Housewives sometimes think about this when the box has been sitting on the shelf for a very long time. Today we will deal with this issue.
How to check soda for quality
The first step is to smell the powder to determine whether it has absorbed foreign odors. Then, using a clean, dry spoon, take a little soda and take a good look at the structure: are there any lumps, is it wet, etc.
Place 1 tsp in a bowl. NaHCO3 powder, then pour in approximately the same amount of table vinegar or lemon juice (if you don’t have juice, use citric acid diluted in a small amount of water). If a violent reaction occurs (the mixture “hisses” and begins to actively release foam), the product is still suitable for use.
How and how much to store
Soda must be in a closed container. The main negative factor for the substance is moisture . When exposed to moisture, the powder turns to stone and becomes unusable. The effectiveness of petrified soda is significantly reduced, and there is also a risk of developing pathogenic microorganisms.
The maximum permissible shelf life in a closed container at room temperature is 18 months . However, theoretically, the product retains its properties longer, but manufacturers guarantee quality, as a rule, only for 1.5 years .
You can use any tightly sealed packaging . It is best to use a ceramic or glass vessel with a lid. It is acceptable to use enameled and stainless steel containers. The lid must fit tightly. You can also use plastic zip-lock bags.
For storage, it is important to observe the following conditions:
- Cool place. It is desirable that the temperature be in the range from +10°C to +30°C .
- Places protected from ultraviolet radiation.
- Low humidity – up to 70% .
After opening
Do not leave baking soda in an open container. Housewives often store the product in an open paper box or bag. This is fraught with saturation with moisture and ambient aromas, which leads to deterioration in performance. The powdery substance should be placed in a dry, sealed container and kept in a dark place with low humidity. It is recommended to affix a sticker with the date of manufacture in order to promptly replace an expired product.
It is also acceptable to use unsealed containers. But, in this case, the shelf life is reduced to 6 months . Sometimes you can store soda longer, but subject to periodic quality control. To check, just pour a little powder into a small container and add a solution of citric acid or vinegar. A reaction should occur, accompanied by hissing, foaming and the release of carbon dioxide. If there is no reaction, the substance has lost its characteristics.
What to do with expired powder
Even if the soda did not pass the simplest quality test (it gave too weak a reaction when quenched), it can still be used, but exclusively for domestic purposes. Since it has retained its abrasive and partly antibacterial properties.
Such a product is no longer suitable for use in cooking: when heated, sodium bicarbonate with an expired shelf life “sinters” and can no longer loosen the dough.
Areas of application for expired powder:
- laundry;
- cleaning household appliances (kettle, iron, microwave, etc.);
- washing dishes;
- cleaning cutlery made of cupronickel, silver, etc.;
- cleaning and sanitization of plumbing fixtures;
- deodorizing the room, refrigerator or shoes, etc.
We clean the kettle from scale using soda.
Danger and harm
What you need to know about this popular supplement. The shelf life of soda and its availability allows the product to be widely used. However, some limitations must be taken into account. Baking soda is fairly safe for humans, but prolonged contact may cause irritation on the skin. To avoid harming your skin, it is best to work with it while wearing gloves. Although a negative reaction is very rare.
In rare cases, an allergic reaction to soda is possible. If dry powder gets into your eye, it may cause a burn. Baking soda is often used for heartburn. Gastroenterologists do not advise doing this, as it can injure the mucous membranes. In addition, there is a high likelihood of stomach bloating. It is best to buy special medications to relieve heartburn.
How much soda to keep in the house
Baking soda requirements vary by application. You will be surprised to learn how much sodium bicarbonate is wasted per year during active use.
This table will allow you to plan the approximate consumption of the product and stock up correctly for future use, without excess. Based on its data, you can buy enough soda powder to last for a year. And there will be no more expired soda on your shelves.
| Baking Soda Needs | On average kg/1 person per year |
| Cooking (using baking powder in parallel) | 0,5 |
| Cooking (without baking powder) | 1,5 |
| Personal hygiene | 1 |
| Medicinal purposes | 0,5 |
| Household needs (cleaning and deodorization) | 2,5 |
| Other (unaccounted for) | 0,5 |
| Total | 6,5 |
Recommended amount of soda reserves in the house for a year: 3.5–6.5 kg per person, depending on the intensity of use.
When the properties have run out of steam
Throwing away the product is not practical. The abrasive properties of the powder last much longer than culinary properties, so it can be used in other areas:
- for washing clothes;
- as a cleaning agent for household appliances or objects, for example, to clean a kitchen hood or an electric stove from carbon deposits;
- for dish washing;
- as a cutlery cleaner;
- for cleaning and disinfection of plumbing fixtures;
- deodorization of objects and premises. For example, baking soda will get rid of the smell of your bag. It is also used as an aid for removing mold from strollers.
If you follow the recommendations for storing baking soda, you will always have a universal product at home. Sometimes the best remedies are literally at hand.
Reviews
Maryana. I’ve been storing it in a plastic jar for about 15 years (I pour it out of a cardboard box immediately after purchase). I like it, I don’t see the point in “reinventing the wheel.” The packaging runs out quickly, as I often bake at home.
Kirill. This is the first time I've heard that soda has an expiration date. I always thought that this substance could be stored at home for years and used as needed. Now I'll be more careful. And I’ll throw the expired stuff out of the kitchen cabinet.
Olga. I use soda for a variety of purposes: for my favorite fish pie, and for general cleaning in the apartment. I even make soda masks from time to time. That's why I buy it often. But in our “Magnit” it is only in cardboard, and sometimes it is already hard, caked, and has clearly absorbed moisture.
Side effects
The shelf life of baking soda is practically unlimited; the effect of the substance does not change from this indicator. However, there are certain points:
- With prolonged treatment with soda, you may begin to experience nausea. In this case, you must immediately stop the course of therapy.
- Very often, housewives add soda when cooking vegetables to preserve their color. This should not be done, because in this case all vitamins are destroyed.
That is, if you use soda correctly, it cannot harm your body. In fact, it has a lot of uses. The main thing is to first study the instructions, consequences and tips.
What products should you stock up on in case of a crisis?
Shopping list: what is recommended to be stocked in Russia, USA, Germany and Sweden
- potatoes, cabbage, carrots, eggs;
- shelf-stable breads such as tortillas, crispbreads, cookies and crackers;
- processed cheese, butter and sandwich mixtures in tubes;
- oat milk, soy milk, powdered milk;
- edible oil, hard cheese;
23 Mar
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