Does chocolate go bad?

Dark and baking chocolate keeps 1 to 2 years unopened, and about 1 year once opened. Cocoa powder and cocoa mixes keep indefinitely unopened, and about 1 year once opened for the best flavor. Milk and white chocolate keep for less time because of their dairy.

Food	Pantry
Baking and dark chocolate	1–2 yearsfrom purchaseOpened: 1 year
Cocoa powder and cocoa mixes	Indefinitelyfrom purchaseOpened: 1 year

Fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder, freezer at −18 °C (0 °F). Freezer times are for best quality: food kept frozen stays safe, but slowly loses taste and texture. These times are USDA guidance, not a guarantee. When in doubt, throw it out.

How to tell if chocolate has gone bad

A white or gray film or streaks is "bloom": fat or sugar coming to the surface after heat or moisture. It's safe, just less smooth.
A stale, rancid or cardboard-like taste, more likely in milk or white chocolate and chocolate with nuts.
Mold or insects: throw it out.

How to store chocolate

Keep chocolate wrapped in a cool, dry, dark place, ideally 15 to 18 °C (60 to 65 °F), away from strong smells.
Avoid the fridge unless your home is very warm: condensation causes sugar bloom. If you do refrigerate it, keep it airtight and let it warm up before unwrapping.
Keep cocoa powder tightly closed and dry.

Can you freeze chocolate?

You can, wrapped airtight, but it's rarely needed and can cause bloom. If you freeze it, thaw it slowly in the fridge and then at room temperature before unwrapping, so condensation doesn't form on it.

Questions

Is chocolate with a white coating safe to eat?

Yes. The white bloom is cocoa butter or sugar that has moved to the surface. It changes the texture, not safety, and disappears when the chocolate is melted.

Can you eat chocolate after the best-by date?

Usually yes, if it smells and tastes normal and shows no mold or insects. The date is about quality.

How long does milk chocolate last?

Less than dark chocolate, because its milk solids can go stale or rancid; follow the date on the wrapper and keep it cool.

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