How long does canola oil last?
Unopened, it keeps in the pantry for about 12 months. Once opened, it keeps in the pantry for about 3 months.
Product: Refined canola (rapeseed) oil.
Shelf life of canola oil at a glance
| Storage | Unopened | Opened |
|---|---|---|
| Pantry | 12 months | 3 months |
| Fridge | – | 4 months |
Refined oil does not need the fridge. A cool, dark spot with the cap on tight is enough. Cold-pressed canola oil is more delicate and turns rancid sooner once opened.
Does canola oil go bad?
Food past its date has not necessarily gone bad. The times on this page are guideline values for food stored properly. In the US, date labels are not required by federal law (infant formula is the exception), and most of them describe quality, not safety. A "Best if Used By" date is not an expiration date, and many products are still fine after it. A "Sell By" date is meant for the store, not for you. Look at the food and smell it before you taste a little. Mold, an off smell or a bulging can or lid means it goes in the trash. Take a "Use By" date on perishables such as meat, fish, deli meats and dairy seriously: eat or freeze them by that date.