Does flour go bad?

White flour keeps 6 to 12 months in the pantry, and 6 to 8 months once opened; in the fridge, opened white flour keeps about 1 year. Whole wheat flour contains oils that go rancid sooner: 3 to 6 months in the pantry, 6 to 8 months in the fridge.

Food	Fridge	Pantry
White flour	—Opened: 1 year	6–12 monthsfrom purchaseOpened: 6–8 months
Whole wheat flour	—Opened: 6–8 months	3–6 monthsfrom purchase

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 flour has gone bad

A sour, musty or rancid smell, like old oil or play dough. Fresh flour smells of almost nothing.
Clumps that don't break apart, or damp patches: moisture can bring mold.
Small insects, webbing or larvae in the bag. Throw it out and check other dry goods nearby.
A darker or yellowish color than usual.

How to store flour

Once opened, move flour to an airtight container. It keeps out moisture, smells and pantry pests.
Keep it in a cool, dry, dark cupboard, away from the stove.
The fridge or freezer keeps flour longer, especially whole wheat and other whole-grain flours. Let it come to room temperature before baking.
Don't top up a container of old flour with new: finish the old first, or keep them separate.

Can you freeze flour?

Yes, and it's a good idea for whole-grain flours or if you bake rarely. Freeze it in an airtight container or freezer bag; it doesn't clump. A few days in the freezer also kills any insect eggs in a new bag. Let it reach room temperature before baking.

Questions

Can you eat raw flour or cookie dough?

No. Flour is a raw product that can carry bacteria such as E. coli, and baking is what kills them. US health agencies advise against eating raw dough or batter, even without eggs.

Can you use flour after the best-by date?

Usually yes, if it smells fine and shows no bugs or mold. The date is about quality: old flour can taste stale and rise less well.

Should flour be kept in the fridge?

It's not necessary for white flour, but it helps: opened white flour keeps about 1 year in the fridge. For whole wheat flour, the fridge or freezer is the better place.

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