Can chocolate go bad? Yes (!) What to know before sharing Valentine's Day treats

A chocolate bar hates to see Valentine's Day coming.

The holiday is responsible for roughly $4 billion in chocolate and candy sales annually, according to a report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Think Hershey's Kisses and pink-colored M&Ms to chocolate-covered strawberries and gourmet chocolate boxes.

Whether you're making a chocolatey treat, giving a loved one a box of chocolates or planning on enjoying some yourself, dietitian Jamie Nadeau, RD, shares some tips on how to make sure your Valentine's Day chocolate intake doesn't make you (love) sick.

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Can chocolate go bad?

The short answer is yes, chocolate can go bad.

The long answer is that it depends on a number of factors, including the type of chocolate and how it's stored, Nadeau explains. In general, dark chocolate usually lasts longer than milk chocolate because it doesn't contain milk.

"Most chocolate can last anywhere between one to two years, but it depends, so I recommend taking a peek at the expiration date and storing it properly," Nadeau says. "It should be stored in a cool, dry and dark place away from heat and sunlight."

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How can you tell if chocolate has gone bad?

Many solid forms of chocolate can still be safely eaten up to six months past the best buy date on their label, Nadeau says, adding that "many expiration dates refer to optimal quality versus the food actually going bad right on that date." In other words, eating something like chocolate past its "best by" date usually just means it won't taste as good, not that it'll make you sick.

But if the chocolate in question has a "rancid smell," noticeable mold on top or a sour taste, that should be your sign to toss it out. Literal death by chocolate isn't necessarily something to worry about, but Nadeau notes that "just like other types of spoiled food, you can get food poisoning or gastrointestinal upset by eating chocolate that isn't good anymore."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Can chocolate go bad? What to know ahead of Valentine's Day