Flour does have an expiration date, but it doesnt necessarily mean that you cant use it. Most of the time, using expired flour wont make you sick, but there is a small chance that rancid flour can cause symptoms of food poisoning, like stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea. The natural oils in flour are susceptible to spoiling, and the more fat the flour contains, the quicker it will expire. Additional ingredients like salt or baking powder do not affect spoilage, but they will lose potency as they age. Here are some things to consider if youre thinking about using expired flour:

• Safety: Flour is a low-moisture food, meaning it doesnt contain enough water to support microbial growth. As such, its considered extremely shelf-stable and unlikely to become less safe to eat over time. However, if rancid flour contains large amounts of mycotoxins, it can make you sick.

• Quality: While using flour past its date is fine if there are no signs of deterioration and it has been stored properly, it wont yield the same results as fresh flour. Expired flour wont have the same quality in flavor and texture, so your recipe wont turn out the same. When it comes to self-rising flour, which contains baking powder, expired flour will create baked goods that dont rise.

• Storage: Proper storage is probably the most important consideration when figuring out the longevity of flour. Flour stored airtight or at least well-wrapped (to keep it dry) in the back of a freezer can remain stable for quite some time. Flour stored in a loose-lidded canister at room temperature will deteriorate more quickly.

In summary, using expired flour wont necessarily make you sick, but it may not yield the same results as fresh flour. If youre thinking about using expired flour, check for signs of deterioration, such as little brown or black spots in the flour or holes and tears in the bag. If it doesnt show any signs of deterioration, and its been stored in a cool, dry place, it should be fine for a few months past the printed date. However, if it smells off or looks discolored, its best to discard it.