The Facts

• High sugar levels prevent bacteria from forming mould in dried fruit. Lack of water content also keeps dried fruit from rotting. Consumer storage guidelines from Virginia State University recommend storing dried fruit for up to six months.

Storage

• The United States Department of Agriculture advises consumers to protect shelf-stable goods such as dried fruit from extremes of temperature. To make sure your dried fruit stays as fresh as possible, keep it in a cool, dry place and transfer open packets to airtight containers.

Considerations

• Like most foods, dried fruit tastes best straight after opening. While shoppers can save money by buying in bulk, it is a good idea to decide how much dried fruit you use in a six-month period before purchasing large quantities.