Which of the following food items cannot be stored indefinitely?

Frozen peas cannot be stored indefinitely due to the nature of freezing and the potential for degradation over time. While freezing helps preserve food by slowing microbial growth and enzymatic activity, it doesn’t halt these processes completely. As time passes, the quality of frozen peas can diminish due to freezer burn, loss of flavor, and changes in texture. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) generally recommends consuming frozen vegetables within 8 to 12 months for optimal quality, although they remain safe beyond that period if kept at a constant freezing temperature.

In contrast, wheat, vegetable oil, and powdered milk have much longer shelf lives when stored properly. For example, whole wheat can last for several years if kept in a cool, dry place, while refined wheat has an even longer shelf life. Vegetable oil can be stored longer, but it may become rancid over time, typically within 1 to 2 years for opened oil. Powdered milk also enjoys a long shelf life, often lasting 2 to 10 years if kept in a cool, dry environment and in airtight packaging. Thus, while all these food items have varying storage durations, it is the frozen peas that cannot be stored indefinitely with optimal quality.