Does Chocolate Expire? Is It Safe to Eat Past the Best By Date? (2024)

FAQs

Does Chocolate Expire? Is It Safe to Eat Past the Best By Date? ›

Dark chocolate, with its higher cacao content, can be good to eat for as long as three years past the best before. Due to their high milk contents, milk and white chocolates might not last as long as dark, but their longevity is still nothing to sniff at — you can expect to get another 8 months or so out of it.

Solid Chocolate: If stored properly in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, solid chocolates (like plain milk, white, or dark chocolate bar) can often be eaten for up to 6 months past their 'best before' date. The taste and texture might not be optimal, but it's generally safe.

If unopened and stored properly, dark chocolate lasts 2 years (from the day it was made). If opened, but still stored properly, the rule of thumb is one year. As for milk and white chocolate bars, the time available is cut in half. One year if unopened and stored properly, and 6-8 months if opened and stored properly.

It's generally okay to eat chocolate for months past the expiration date if it's been unopened or stored correctly.

Most candies do have expiration dates, but like most foods, these dates serve more as guidelines for when to consume them. It's generally fine to eat candy past its expiration date, though the quality and texture does decline after a certain point.

In most cases, chocolate past its expiration date is still safe to eat, provided it has been stored properly and shows no signs of spoilage. However, if chocolate exhibits any unusual odors, flavors, or textures, it's best to discard it to avoid any potential health risks.

Your chocolate's golden years may have passed, but as long as it looks, smells and tastes relatively normal, it's safe to eat. Chocolate's shelf life varies based on the type of chocolate, its quality and ingredients and how it's stored.

Can you eat chocolate that's bloomed? Chocolate bloom might look unappetizing, but it's completely safe to eat. That doesn't mean you'll want to eat it, though, as flavor and texture can both be compromised. “Bloom usually strips the chocolate of some of its most pleasing qualities,” says Laiskonis.

Opened peanut butter will generally go bad after about nine months in the fridge. While it should stay good longer in the fridge as opposed to stored in the pantry, it will go bad eventually. Once you refrigerate peanut butter, don't forget about it indefinitely.

While chocolate itself, especially solid dark chocolate, is unlikely to cause food poisoning, any visible mould growth is a different story. If your chocolate or its fillings show signs of mould, it's best to err on the side of caution and avoid consumption.

Can I eat 10 year old chocolate? ›

Remember that good dark chocolate has a shelf life of two or more years if left unopened, so unless you have reason to believe the chocolate has gone bad—if it doesn't smell right or looks like something is off—rest assured that chocolate is just fine to eat or bake with.

Any chocolate that has bloomed shall taste a bit off, though it is still not in bad shape. Such chocolate is not ideal for eating as it is, but you can always use it in cooking or baking; you can also make a syrup, chocolate garnish, or cake icing.

But things like milk, cheese, fresh vegetables, and fruit should not be eaten past their prime because they can harbor bacteria that can be dangerous to your body, This is caused by the natural breakdown of organic matter. You'll also be able to tell that these foods have gone bad based on their appearance and smell.

"As long as the food is stored properly, it should be OK for weeks after the best-by date, but it's always a good idea to look at the food product for signs of mold and smell it to ensure it has not gone rancid," says Ilyse Schapiro MS, RD, CDN.

An unopened bottle of chocolate syrup typically remains safe to consume for one to three years if kept in a cool, dark place. Once opened, ensuring it is sealed and refrigerated can significantly extend its usability beyond the expiration date, but signs of spoilage still dictate its safety.

Chocolate does not often have a 'use by date' as it does not contain any bacteria that could make it go 'bad'. This being said, if the chocolate you're eating does have a use by date on, we recommend contacting the particular provider to make sure that it is safe to eat past that date.

If the package is unopened, it can last for months past its expiration date if it's been stored at room temperature, or even longer if it's been in the fridge or freezer. Although it can be safe to eat months or even years after its best by date, you may notice differences in its taste or appearance.

How long should I keep chocolate? Most confectionery products are at their best flavor for one year after manufacture. Ingredients such as nuts will shorten the shelf life. Products kept beyond recommended "best before" date may have flavor loss or texture changes.