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Between two months and a year
- As long as it is packaged securely, it should last between two months and a year, depending on the type. (If it is not wrapped well, it is primed for freezer burn.)
www.thespruceeats.com/storing-food-in-the-freezer-1327662
People also ask
How long does white flour last?
How long does whole wheat flour last?
How long does flour last in the fridge?
Does frozen flour have a shelf life?
Jul 20, 2023 · Freezing white flour can significantly prolong its shelf life. In fact, when stored properly, white flour can retain its quality and remain usable for up to 2 years in the freezer. This is great news for those who like to stock up on flour or enjoy buying in bulk.
May 31, 2024 · White flour endures: Generally, you can expect all-purpose flour to last up to one year after purchase. That said, it can sometimes have even greater lasting power. When stowed in the right environs, white flours and starches have an almost indefinite shelf life, says Tegethoff.
Dec 14, 2023 · How Long Does Flour Last? Different types of flours have different shelf lives, and this will be reflected in the best-by date on the package. That said, white flour should last about a year when properly stored in the pantry, while whole wheat flour should last three to six months in the pantry, according to the USDA's FoodKeeper App .
See this frozen food storage chart to find out whether you can freeze cheese, how long you can freeze chicken, how long uncooked meat keeps in the freezer, and much more. Plus, get advice on freezing foods to preserve quality.
- Overview
- What is the shelf life of flour?
- How to tell if flour has gone bad
- Risks of using expired flour
- The bottom line
Although flour typically has a long shelf life, it generally goes bad after 3–8 months. You can extend its shelf life by sealing it properly and refrigerating or freezing it.
Flour is a pantry staple made by grinding grains or other foods into powder.
Although it traditionally comes from wheat, numerous types of flour are now available, including coconut, almond, and other gluten-free varieties.
Many people keep flour in their pantry for long periods of time — even well past the expiration date.
Thus, you may wonder how long it’s safe to keep flour.
This article explains whether flour goes bad, reviews proper storage techniques, and explains the risks of eating expired flour.
Many factors influence flour’s shelf life, or the length of time it lasts before beginning to spoil.
Most flours stay fresh 3–8 months at room temperature, usually long past their expiration date. However, the specific shelf life depends on the type of flour, its ingredients, and how you store it (1).
Most packaged flours have expiration dates — also called best-by dates — printed on the bag to indicate how long they’ll stay fresh.
However, these labels aren’t mandatory and don’t denote safety. Thus, your flour may still be safe to eat even after the best-by date (9).
The best way to determine whether your flour is safe is to smell it. While fresh flour has a neutral odor, bad flour smells off — it can be stale, musty, or almost sour. It may also look discolored.
Additionally, if your flour has come into contact with water or moisture, large clumps of mold may appear. In this case, you should immediately discard the entire bag.
To prevent food waste, try creative ways to use your old flour when it’s near or past its expiration date. Aside from baked goods like breads and cakes, it’s also good for creating non-food items like playdough or homemade glue.
summary
When flour goes rancid, its molecular structure changes — which may produce harmful compounds (10).
However, no recent studies have revealed any detrimental effects of eating rancid flour. Although cooked foods made with it may taste unpleasant, they’re unlikely to harm your health if eaten in small amounts.
On the other hand, moldy flour can be dangerous, as well as foul-tasting.
While not all molds are harmful, some can produce dangerous chemicals known as mycotoxins. These compounds can trigger symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea (11).
Mycotoxins are also linked to other serious illnesses, including cancer and liver disease, depending on the amount eaten and duration of exposure (12, 13).
Thus, it’s always best to throw out your flour if it smells bad or shows signs of mold.
Flour has a long shelf life but generally goes bad after 3–8 months.
White flour may last longest due to its lower fat content, while whole-wheat and gluten-free varieties spoil sooner. You can extend flour’s shelf life by sealing it properly or refrigerating or freezing it.
- Kaitlyn Berkheiser
May 3, 2024 · Storing flour in airtight plasticware or a glass mason jar will keep it fresh for up to 10 months and keep pests like flour bugs at bay. If you have the tools to vacuum seal your flour, it can last up to two years.
Nov 1, 2020 · Most of us come home from the supermarket and immediately put the meat we bought in the freezer. As long as it is packaged securely, it should last between two months and a year, depending on the type. (If it is not wrapped well, it is primed for freezer burn.)
