Do Taco Bell Sauce Packets Expire?

Yes, they do go bad eventually. Admit it: If you open your glove compartment, chances are Taco Bell hot sauce and McDonald's ketchup packets will come spilling out. Those little packets always add up, and people always seem to forget about them until they hit a critical mass.

How long do taco Bell sauce packets last?

TACO SAUCE, COMMERCIALLY BOTTLED — UNOPENED

Properly stored, an unopened bottle of taco sauce will generally stay at best quality for about 12 to 18 months, although it will usually remain safe to use after that. Is unopened taco sauce safe to use after the "expiration date" on the bottle?

Do taco Bell sauce packets have an expiration date?

Yes, they spoil. They lose their flavor over time, and those plasticky metal packets only go so far to protect the spicy flavor that's buried inside of the casing. ... And believe it or not, they do actually have expiration dates generally listed—just not on the sauce packets themselves.

James H. Sterling

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.