Sugar is considered a long-stored product. It is important to observe storage conditions. Regulatory documents set its expiration date. Sugar will retain its consumer properties only if they are observed.
Is there a deadline?
Many people consider sugar to be almost an eternal product that is stored for a very long time. It really retains its properties for a long time. But still according to GOST there is a shelf life.
Sugar after this period should not be consumed, because then it loses its properties. And to prevent this, storage conditions must be observed. Moreover, this applies to home and industrial storage of the product.
How is it determined?
Shelf life of sugar can be different, it all depends on the raw materials. The cane and beet products, which make up 99% of the world market, are stored for the same period.
Unusual types of sugar such as palm, sorghum, malt, coconut, grape, maple, are in demand in many countries. Their shelf life is determined by Russian laws, because they have the same active ingredient - sucrose. The storage period is affected by the conditions of storage and packaging.
GOST
According to GOST No. 26907-86, the shelf life of refined sugar and ordinary product in bags in heated rooms at a temperature of 25 degrees and humidity from 70% is up to 8 years.
If he is in unheated warehouses, this figure will change. Refined sugar can be kept for up to 5 years. The shelf life of sugar (GOST 21-94) is 1.5-4 years. If it does not have a container, then the period will be 2 years.
Warehousing
In production, the shelf life of sugar is the same as at home. Product storage in warehouses should be carried out on the basis of GOST rules:
- Relative humidity - up to 70% if granulated sugar is in the container, and up to 60% if it is in bulk silos. Refined sugar - 75%.
- The temperature is in the range of 20-22 degrees in silos, and from 11 to 25 - for heated warehouses.
- With long-term storage, the product is placed on pallets covered with a tarp.
- With fabric packaging, the weight should be 50 kg.
- It is undesirable to put granulated sugar in storage with other products, as it perceives odors.
- Sugar in containers is stacked.
- The walls of the silos are insulated from the outside so that there is no wetting of the product.
House Maintenance Rules
At home, the shelf life of granulated sugar should also be considered. It should not be allowed to wet products, as well as exposure to low temperatures. When the storage rules are followed, the product retains its properties for the declared period and more.
If long-term storage is planned, it is best to choose a fabric bag that protects against moisture. If the product will be stored for up to 1 year, it is advisable to place it in a plastic bag, because during prolonged storage an unpleasant odor can occur.
Storage containers made of plastic, sheet metal, ceramics, glass and other materials are excellent. Refined sugar is preferably left in a cardboard box.
Storage conditions
The premises should be selected based on the conditions under which the products are stored in warehouses. The most suitable would be a pantry and heated rooms with little humidity. It is advisable to place a container of rice on top of the bag, as it absorbs moisture.
Do not leave products near sources of heat and foreign products, as consumer properties are lost in this way. To prevent lumps, periodically shake the bag. If the products are stored in polyethylene, it is advisable to place them in a cabinet where there are no harsh odors.
The shelf life of sugar according to GOST does not change if it is at home. It is necessary to ensure that the humidity is not more than 70-75%, if the temperature is more than 35 degrees. If it reaches 40 degrees, then the products will quickly deteriorate.
How is refined sugar stored?
A product such as refined, which is stored in cardboard packaging, it is advisable to place in a cabinet in the kitchen. Near it there should not be products with a strong smell, for example, spices, vegetables, fruits.
Refined, purchased by weight, must be placed in boxes, airtight containers, rag bags. It is important that the products are in a dry room, where there is no household chemicals.
Using Packages
Nowadays, plastic bags are often used for packaging. The weight of products in such packaging can be different, but 0.5-1 kg packaging will be the best choice. Packages have many advantages, due to which they are considered the best for storing sugar:
- convenience of storage and transportation;
- strength and reliability;
- protection against various factors;
- Beautiful design;
- different sizes and shapes.
Such packaging has a low cost, in addition, it meets sanitary standards. But other materials, such as paper bags, are used to store the product.
On the table, it is advisable to store the product in a sugar bowl, since this container protects granulated sugar from moisture and dust. Metal, glass, silver dishes are perfect for this. Ideal products from porcelain, crystal, ceramics. Dishes should be safe for health, so it is important to consider which company made them.
It is important that the container is tightly closed. A sugar bowl with a dispenser is great for home. She has a shutter, due to which extraneous odors do not penetrate inside. With its help, you can add as much sugar as needed.
How does a product change over time?
Pests almost do not affect sugar. Hazards include:
- water
- products
- lack of ventilation.
If there are no these unpleasant factors, then sugar can be stored according to the expiration date specified in GOST.
Delay
How to determine that a product is spoiled? The main signs include a change in shade, unpleasant odor, lumps. The presence of large monolithic pieces indicates spoilage. You should not use such granulated sugar, but you should not throw it away.
Such sugar is excellent for preserving and preparing fermentation products, since high temperature and canning help prevent the negative consequences of spoilage of the product. Sugar is almost unpretentious. The main thing is to observe elementary rules, and then you will not need to worry about its safety.