Of course, flax seeds last for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly. But, like a lot of other seeds, if they have a date it is usually a best by date and not an expiration date.

How to tell if Flax is bad, rotten or spoiled?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness.

Flax seeds have a mild nutty taste, if there is a bitter taste then your flax seeds have gone bad and should be tossed out.

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled foods so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your foods before their shelf life has expired!

How to store Flax to extend its shelf life?

The best way to store any type of seeds is in an airtight container in the refrigerator at a constant temperature. If you purchase from large bins, be sure you shop somewhere that has a quick turnover of product. Flax meal should be purchased from the refrigerator section and then kept constantly refrigerated, or better yet frozen, once home. Seeds may be kept in a sealed container in the pantry away from heat sources (cool, dark & dry), but will enjoy a longer shelf life in the refrigerator or freezer (also in a tightly sealed dark container). In either storage option, it is best to avoid clear containers or bags because light will increase the degradation process. Purchase in vacuum sealed packages whenever possible, because less exposure to oxygen is always best because of the unsaturated oils being very susceptible to oxidation [1].

It is more economical to buy the seeds, which will last longer, and then grind them into meal with a coffee grinder or in a Vitamix dry container as needed.

For a long term option, both seeds and meal can be frozen in an airtight container.

Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

How long is Flax good for when prepared in a dish?

How long do flax seeds last? That depends. How long does bread last? In general, seeds will only last as long as the quickest expiring ingredient in the recipe.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Flax lasts, our content incorporates research from multiple resources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration. In addition, we scoured the web for informative articles and reports related to food safety, food storage and the shelf life of Flax.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Flax shelf life information on Eat By Date is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary and that our advice should only be taken as an opinion and not a replacement for your health care professional. Please eat responsibly!