Dry foods generally have a long shelf life and flour is not an exception. Different kinds of flour abound, but for this article, the focus will be on All-purpose flour, since it’s more commonly used in American homes.

Yes, flour can go bad, albeit that takes a long time to happen; about 6-8 months at room temperature and 1-2 years when refrigerated or frozen. This refers to multi-purpose flour. For every 6 months that All-purpose flour lasts, other kinds like whole wheat flour, last 2-3 months less because they either have a higher fat content or contain nutrients that spoil easily. read more

Contrary to popular belief, coffee is not as long-lasting as we think. Yes we see 3-5 months as the Best By date, but this is its shelf life; the time for which it can remain fresh when sealed. Once unsealed, coffee becomes exposed to air and moisture, thus decreasing its life span.

Quick Answer

Yes, ground coffee can go bad if stored poorly, too long, or past its expiration date. “Stored poorly” here means it has been exposed to either of its greatest rivals; oxygen, light, heat, or moisture. Stored too long (after unsealing) or past its expiration date (when sealed), the coffee loses its flavor, making it less desirable for consumption. read more

Ah, the liquid gold. So soft, smooth. Could America’s favorite homemade dinner, Mac & Cheese, be any good without Velveeta? What’s more, it seems like Velveeta Cheese lasts forever, even when it’s not stocked in the refrigerator. But hold on. Does it really not go bad?

Quick Answer

Eventually, even fresh unopened Velveeta Cheese will go bad. But. Don’t panic yet; it has an average life span of 6 whole months from the packaging date, without being refrigerated. After this period, it lessens in quality (freshness) and may gradually start to go bad. Where it has been opened, Velveeta can stay up to 8 weeks in the refrigerator without degrading in quality. So yes, everything does go bad, including the infamous Velveeta.


If 6 months is not on the clock yet, maybe you can still fulfill your Nachos and dip craving with the Velveeta that has been lurking in your pantry. Before you dive in though, let’s learn more about its shelf life. read more

Whether it’s used in cooking, as a food topping, or as a dip, salsa is a family favorite. If you find a jar in your fridge or pantry, you need to know how to tell if it’s still good to eat.

Yes, salsa can go bad. Salsa will go bad faster if it is homemade since there are no preservatives added to help extend the shelf life. Homemade salsa will usually last for about 4 to 6 days when properly stored. Store-bought salsa, if it is unopened, can last for 12 to 18 months. Once it has been opened, it should be refrigerated and used within a couple of weeks. read more

Molasses is very versatile and can be used for many different things from meat glazes to flavoring ice cream. If you keep a jar on hand for its myriad of uses, you may be wondering if it goes bad. Read on to find out.

According to the USDA, if molasses is unopened, it can last up to 12 months. Once it has been opened, it is recommended you keep it for about 6 months to get the best quality out of it. A best by date is not the same as expiration date, and molasses can and does last longer than the date stamped on the container, especially if it has been unopened, properly sealed, and properly stored. read more

Deli meat is usually a refrigerator staple. Many families keep it on hand in case they need a quick, delicious and healthy lunch. Since you almost always have some in the fridge, you may be wondering if it goes bad. Read on to find out.

Yes, deli meat does go bad. The length of shelf life depends on how it was bought and whether or not it has been cured. Fresh deli meat will only last for about 5 to 6 days. Pre-packaged deli meats are good for 7-10 days. Bologna lasts a little bit longer at 1 to 2 weeks and cured meats like hard salami and pepperoni can last you from 2 to 3 weeks. All of the aforementioned meats last quite a while longer in the freezer: anywhere from 1 to 8 months depending on the meat. read more

While some alcohol ages well and the older it is the better and more valuable it becomes, but you may be wondering if whiskey can go bad. I will be answering that question as well as providing other important information that will help you make it last longer.

Whiskey can and does go bad. Proper storage can help whiskey last longer. Whiskey scientists say that an opened bottle can last about 1 to 2 years if it is at least half full. If it is less than a quarter full, it will expire in approximately six months. The reason for this is because the less whiskey there is in the bottle, the more oxygen there is. Oxygen causes oxidization and the more oxidization, the faster the whiskey goes bad. read more

Sauerkraut has a lot of health benefits from probiotics to containing vitamins C and K, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus. Because of the health benefits, you may be adding it to your diet and might be wondering how long it lasts. This article will answer that question.

Sauerkraut has a pretty long shelf life before it turns bad. This is due to it being preserved in a saltwater solution. The saltwater brine extends the shelf life of the sauerkraut because the pickling solution helps stop bacterial growth. Improper storage is the leading cause of sauerkraut going bad quickly. Refrigerated sauerkraut can stay fresh for around 4-6 months. Sauerkraut can be stored in the freezer for 8-12 months. read more

When it comes to dressing a salad, the possibilities are almost endless. Whether you choose a tangy vinaigrette or a creamy ranch, you are probably wondering if that dressing goes bad. Let’s find out.

Salad dressing does go bad. How fast it goes bad depends on the ingredients in the dressing and whether or not it has been opened. Each bottle comes with a “best-by” date and that is your best indicator of when you will get the best quality from the product. Both opened and unopened dressings can last for 1 to 4 months after the best-by date. This varies slightly depending on the type of dressing. Vinaigrette dressings last a little longer than creamy dressings such as ranch.


With so many types of salad dressing available, you may have some questions about how to best maintain the quality of your favorite salad dressings for as long as possible. Read on to find out how. read more

The very versatile feta cheese can be crumbled on soups and salads, tossed with roasted vegetables, used in different pasta dishes, or served on a charcuterie board. If you have a container in your fridge, you need to know if and how fast it goes bad.

Feta cheese does go bad. It has a best by date printed on the package and can be good for about one week past that date if it has been refrigerated and unopened. If the package has been opened, the cheese will only be good for around five days regardless of whether or not it has passed the best by date. read more