Of course, all foods last for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly. But, like many other products, tortillas usually have a best by date which is simply the last date by which a manufacturer will vouch for a product's quality, not its safety. Because of this distinction, you may safely eat them after the best by date has expired, according to the above table, if they have been stored properly.

How to tell if Tortillas are bad, rotten or spoiled?

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

Although not a perfect test, your senses are usually the most reliable instruments to tell if your packaged tortillas have expired and gone bad.

Since different companies use different preservatives, there is variation in how long they last. Tortillas, which begin very pliable, will begin to get stiffer when they are getting old. You can tell if tortillas have gone bad if you notice any spots of mold on their surface, at which point the entire package should be thrown away.

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 Tortillas to extend their shelf life?

Packages of tortillas should be stored in a cool dry environment not susceptible to temperature change. When items go through temperature changes of cool to warm and vice versa, the moisture in the air tends to condensate inside the packages. This moisture allows mold to grow and tortillas to spoil. Thus, a refrigerator is highly recommended (but not required) to extend the shelf life of tortillas. Always store your tortillas in air-tight containers that help keep out moisture and other contaminants.

For Home made tortillas, you can keep them fresh longer by storing them in your refrigerator below 40°F after preparation and use.

For ways to re-heat them, see our page on how to warm tortillas.

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

Interesting facts about Tortillas:

How long are Tortillas good for when prepared in a dish?

How long do tortillas last? That depends. How long does flour last? In general, tortillas lasts only as long as the quickest expiring ingredient with which they are mixed.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Tortillas 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 Tortillas.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Tortillas 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!