How long does flaxseed/meal/oil last?
Whole flaxseed can last for over a year at room temperature and even longer when kept cold in a refrigerator or freezer. Flax meal should be made fresh whenever needed to help ensure quality and flavor. It can be kept in a refrigerator/freezer to maximize shelf life, but should be used within a couple of days. Flax oil usually lasts around 6 months from the time of pressing and may be kept longer if frozen. Only buy flax oil with a Pressed On date shown on the bottle. Some companies add preservatives to make their flax oil last longer or to make it shelf-stable, but we prefer not to consume preservatives. The easiest way to tell if your flax products are no longer good is to simply smell them. They will start to smell a bit fishy when they are reaching the end of their life cycle.
