We looked at the storage recommendations from several flavoring manufacturers and they say that extracts tend to have a shelf life of 6 months to 1 year. The exception to this is pure vanilla extract which, if stored in a cool dark place and tightly sealed, can last indefinitely and even improve with age.

Do flavoring extracts go bad?

The first thing to note is that flavorings, concentrated aromas, do not “spoil” or “go bad”. For instance, if you have a Milk flavoring sitting on your shelf for over 3 years, it won't taste like spoiled milk. ... These are synthesized concentrated chemical aromas. So there's no need to worry about spoiling.

Can you get sick from expired vanilla extract?

Can You Get Sick From Expired Vanilla Extract? No, it's highly unlikely you'll get sick from expired vanilla extract. The expiration date on the bottle is more of a recommended “use by” date.