How long does chocolate last?

Shelf life of chocolate at a glance

Chocolate keeps best in a dry, dark place at 54 to 64 °F (12 to 18 °C). Wrap opened bars airtight. The whitish bloom that sometimes appears is usually fat or sugar that has risen to the surface, and it is harmless. Dark chocolate keeps longer than milk or white chocolate.

Does chocolate 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.

Sources

• zugutfuerdietonne.de
• ndsu.edu
• ohioline.osu.edu