Once opened, Powdered milk keeps about 3 months in the pantry. Unopened, it keeps about 3–5 years.
| Situation | Keeps for |
|---|---|
| Unopened · pantry | 3–5 years |
| Opened · pantry | 3 months |
About 3 months in the pantry, according to USDA FoodKeeper v128.
Powdered milk is shelf-stable at room temperature: cool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality. Refrigerating it mainly preserves quality rather than safety.
Look for: Sour or off smell; Mould or fuzzy spots; Curdled, slimy, lumpy, or separated texture; Yellowing or other discoloration. Never taste something to test it — when in doubt, throw it out.