Spice manufacturer McCormick is warning their customers to check their spices’ manufacturing dates.
In a pair of Facebook posts, McCormick explained how to tell if the spices are too old. One of which is if they are in a rectangular tin or if they were packaged in Baltimore.
“Spring cleaning, anyone? Except for black pepper, McCormick spices in rectangular tins are at least 25 years old,” the world’s largest spice manufacturer wrote in the post.
“When’s the last time you took a peek into your spice cabinet? You should see ‘Hunt Valley, MD’ on McCormick labels. If you see “Baltimore, MD,” the spice is at least 25 years old,” read another post.
McCormick also published a blog post explaining how to clean your spice cabinet during Spring cleaning.
“Spice up your life with some spring cleaning in one of my favorite areas of the kitchen, the spice cabinet! It’s usually a space that’s overlooked and can lead to some bland meals on the dinner table,” wrote Toni Hammersley.
“I freshen up this spot twice a year (Day Light Savings time!) and replace old spices as necessary. Spices lose their flavor and need to be replaced from time to time. After all, the freshness of the spice is what makes our meals delicious. With the help of McCormick I’m going to show you my semiannual spice cabinet clean out and reveal. Take your kitchen refresh to the next level with a total organization reboot,” the blog continued.
While old spices won’t make a person sick, it’s usually advisable to stop using them as they won’t be as effective. When spices age, they lose their flavor, so adding old spices to your dishes is pointless.
The company recommends making sure the spices have a potent aroma, flavor, and vibrant color. Changing them every three years is also a good practice.
According to Census data and a Simmons National Consumer Survey, 300.62 million Americans, or nearly all of the population, used seasonings and spices in 2020. Since most people don’t go through their spices often, the seasonings wind up sitting on shelves for years, which can cause problems.
