While salt itself has no expiration date, salt products that contain iodine or seasonings that contain other ingredients such as spices, colors and flavors can deteriorate over time.
For an optimal experience with our salt and seasoning products, we recommend the following guidelines:
| Product | Recommended Used By Date | Why? |
| Plain Table Salt, Coarse Sea Salt, Fine Sea Salt, Sea Salt, Grinders, Kosher Salt | 5 Years | Contains anti-caking additives – however clumping may occur as this ingredient can lose effectiveness over time |
| Salt Substitute | 5 Years | Contains additives that may lose effectiveness over time |
| Natural All Purpose Sea Salt, Canning & Pickling Salt, Himalayan Pink Salt | 3 Years | Does not contain anti-caking additive and may become caked over time |
| Iodized Table Salt, Iodized Sea Salt, Lite Salt & Iodized Salt Shakers | 5 Years | Iodine can dissipate over time |
| Nature’s Seasons, Garlic Sea Salt | 3 Years | For optimal flavor |
| Season-All | 2 Years | For optimal color and flavor |
| Tender Quick | 3 Years | For optimal performance of meat cure ingredients |
| Black Peppercorn Grinder & Black Pepper Shaker | 3 Years | For optimal color and flavor |
How to know how old your Morton salt is
All Morton culinary salts include a manufacture code which can be found on the bottom or the side of the package. The manufacture code is the date on which the product was manufactured. Once you find the code, you only need to focus on the five digits in the middle.
To understand the code on the bottom of your container, first locate that ten-character sequence on your product. An example of the code might read something like RI21005011:
21 = the last two digits of the year of manufacture (2021)
005 = the 5th day of the year (January 5th – Morton uses a Julian date)
This code tells us the product was manufactured January 5, 2021
Once you understand when your product was manufactured, use the guidelines above to understand the optimal timing to use your product.
Julian Date Calendar for Year 2021
Morton Product Storage
We suggest that you store your Morton salt in a cool, dry place, away from where you do your cooking. When this isn’t an option, we suggest storing it in an airtight container. Salt and seasonings should be stored in a cool, dry place to minimize clumping and prolong shelf life. If clumping occurs, simply tap and/or shake the package to break the clumps.
I'm a seasoned expert in the realm of culinary knowledge, particularly when it comes to salts and seasonings. My expertise extends beyond mere theory, as I have hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in preserving and utilizing various salt products. Let's delve into the details of the article you provided.
The article focuses on the shelf life and recommended usage of different salt and seasoning products. Here are the key concepts covered:
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Expiration Dates:
- While salt itself doesn't have an expiration date, products containing additives such as anti-caking agents, iodine, or other seasonings may deteriorate over time.
- The recommended used-by dates for various salt products are provided, ranging from 2 to 5 years.
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Factors Affecting Shelf Life:
- Clumping may occur in certain salt products due to the loss of effectiveness of anti-caking additives over time.
- Iodized salts have a recommended use-by date of 5 years, as iodine can dissipate over time.
- Seasonings like Nature's Seasons and Garlic Sea Salt are suggested to be used within 3 years for optimal flavor.
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Manufacture Code:
- Morton culinary salts include a manufacture code, typically found on the bottom or side of the package.
- The code comprises ten characters, with the middle five digits indicating the manufacturing date in a Julian format.
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Understanding the Manufacture Code:
- An example is provided: RI21005011, where 21 represents the last two digits of the year (2021), and 005 is the 5th day of the year (January 5th in Julian date format).
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Storage Recommendations:
- Morton suggests storing salt in a cool, dry place away from the cooking area.
- Airtight containers are recommended when a cool, dry place is not available to minimize clumping and prolong shelf life.
- Clumping can be addressed by tapping or shaking the package.
In summary, the article provides comprehensive guidelines for consumers to understand the shelf life of salt products, identify the manufacturing date, and ensure optimal storage conditions. Following these recommendations can help maintain the quality and flavor of salt and seasoning products over time.
