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How Long Does Salt Last?

A better questions might be - does salt expire? Salt, or sodium chloride, is an essential mineral needed by the human body (and all animals) in order to function properly. It helps maintain the fluid levels in the body, yet an excess can be harmful. The shelf life of salt, a natural ingredient found in both land and sea has been there since the beginning of time. It is has been used for flavoring and food preservation for ages.

So, the official answer to does salt expire or does salt go bad is... No, it does not expire! When properly stored, the shelf life of salt is

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Salt Expiration Date

(Unopened/Opened)	Pantry
Salt lasts for	Indefinite

Salt, like a lot of other spices, may have a best before date but does not have an expiration date. You may safely use table or sea salt for your flavoring needs and your body needs after a best before date has lapsed. Other types of salt like Rock, Pickling and Bath salts can also be used for extended amounts of time.

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

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

Old salt may begin to get a little crusty or harden together if it is exposed to moisture or steam.

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 Salt to extend its shelf life?

The best way to store salt is in its original air tight container in a cool dark place like the pantry. It should remain dry at all times. A constant temperature is also best, away from the stove or dishwasher.

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

How to use extra before your Salt goes bad?

Help a sore throat or mouth sores by gargling with it mixed in warm water.

Get red wine out of the tablecloth by pouring some onto the spill right away.

Use rock salt mixed with ice and cold water in a bucket to quick chill your champagne bottle before opening.

To find out more about differences between salts, view our page on salt types.

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

How long does salt last? Well... How long do eggs last? Salt is a preservative and will extend the shelf life of other foods. But even still, it can only last as long as the quickest expiring ingredient in the dish.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Salt 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 Salt.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Salt 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!