Is it safe to store dried spices in old plastic containers indefinitely?
Use caution. Old plastic is not a good long-term home for spices.
What is in it
Old plastic spice containers can wear down from age, heat, dishwashing, and repeated reuse. Dried spices also contain flavor oils. That makes long storage in old plastic a poor choice, especially near the stove.
This does not mean every plastic spice jar is an emergency. It means plastic is not the best material for indefinite storage. Glass jars, ceramic containers, or metal tins are better long-term options.
What the research says
A 2026 Journal of Hazardous Materials study tested chemicals migrating from 16 plastic, paper, and paper-plastic food contact materials under standardized conditions. Researchers identified 114 migrating compounds. Plasticizers and non-intentionally added substances were among the most common categories.
The study did not test old home spice jars directly. It does support a plain kitchen rule: do not use worn plastic as forever food storage. Move spices to glass or metal, keep them away from heat, and replace any container that is cloudy, sticky, cracked, or smells like old plastic.