Does Sugar Ever Expire?

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Unless you're a professional baker, sugar probably isn't an ingredient you think about or work with every day. It sits quietly in the pantry or a countertop canister, waiting until the next cake recipe or batch of muffins come into play. At some point, though, you may wonder if it's still safe to eat, or if scooping from that old bag of unknown origin sugar will ruin your recipe. After all, many common baking ingredients like eggs, milk, and even baking powder and flour have very clear expiration dates. Sugar, on the other hand, plays by different rules. If it's not stored properly, your sugar might get contaminated. But if you keep it in the proper storage conditions, plain granulated sugar is one of those foods that don't actually expire.

The secret to sugar's longevity comes down to its chemical makeup. Regular white table sugar right out of the box or the bag it comes in contains little to no moisture, which prevents any bacteria or mold from growing. These two microorganisms are responsible for food spoilage, so if they can't set up shop, the sugar is safe to use indefinitely. With that said, there are a lot of ways that sugar can lose its viability, or just wreck the taste of your food, so most manufacturers usually recommend that it's only good for around two years. It's best to keep that in mind before you buy a 25-pound bag at Costco (even though we think it's still worth buying this pantry staple in bulk).

Although sugar doesn't expire, there are signs that it's contaminated or spoiled to watch out for. If it's growing mold or infested with pests, it's absolutely time to throw the stuff away. Sugar can absorb strong odors like garlic that you can't see, however, even through some types of plastic packaging, so store it away from aromatic items like alliums and open bags or containers of strong-smelling items like coffee. Always smell the sugar in the container before using it as well.

If you want to keep your sugar in good shape indefinitely, proper storage is key. There are tons of container options available, both glass and plastic, like this 4.4-quart OXO Good Grips POP Container, which is the perfect size for a five pound bag of sugar. You can also repurpose something you already own or buy from the thrift store, like a large Mason jar; just make sure that the top makes an airtight seal. If you know you're not going to use most of the sugar right away, it's also not a bad idea to toss a food-safe silica gel packet into the container to control any possible moisture and keep the sugar from clumping (keep it in the packet, though, don't eat the silica). Stash the container in a dry place like your pantry, and your table sugar should be good to use indefinitely.