What Happens If You Eat Expired Edible Gummies?

Gummies are the most widely used cannabis-infused product today. People are turning to the use of edible gummies as they provide the full benefits of cannabis without smoking or using vape. But have you ever wondered if your favorite cannabis product has a ticking clock on its freshness?

Like all other food items, edible gummies also have a shelf-life or expiration date. Therefore, before investing in edible gummies, it is important to know their shelf life and how to make them last longer. 

This article will help you understand the edibles’ shelf life, identify expired gummies, what happens if you eat expired gummies, and storage tips to keep gummies fresh.  

Do Edible Gummies Expire?

The factor that often gets ignored is that gummies are a food item. Like other regular food items, edible gummies do expire. However, the expiry of these edibles may vary depending upon the quality, storage conditions, and the ingredients used. 

These edibles contain fats such as oil and butter to induce the cannabis effects in the body. Some fats last for a longer time as compared to egg and dairy-based products. The edible gummies can undergo spoilage, bacterial growth, or mold formation when they reach their expiry.

Signs of Expired Edible Gummies

How could you tell that your gummies are expired? Several signs indicate the expiry of the edible gummies. Let’s have a look at these signs:

1.   Production Date on Packaging

Check the production date and the expiry date on the packaging. Some edibles also contain a QR code of lab results on their packaging. That QR code will help you check when and how these edible gummies were made.   

2.   Physical Signs

It is easy to identify expired gummies when they have altered their physical state. Physical signs include: 

• Change in smell, such as strange or sour.
• Color change, discolored or faded.
• Change in texture, soft or hard compared to the time you bought them.

3.   Potency Loss

Most edible gummies lose their potency after expiry. For example, THC gummies,  when expired, fail to produce a high effect. So if your edible gummies are not giving the expected outcome, they might have passed their shelf life.

4.   Use Your Senses

To look for expiry signs of edible gummies, use your senses. Take an eye test, smell the product, and taste it if necessary. Ensure to keep track of the expiry date as well.

How Long Do Edible Gummies Last?

Edible gummies are a kind of candy made from water, sugar, and gelatin, having a fairly long shelf-life. Each edible gummy can have a different expiration date that varies based on its ingredients, exposure to bacteria, oxygen, and moisture. 

However, if stored properly, edible gummies can last 6 months to 1 year or more. They can last longer if kept in an airtight container or placed in a cool and dark area. Some preservatives also make the edibles last longer.

What Happens If You Eat Expired Gummies?

Now the question arises, what would happen to you if you had taken expired gummies? Will you die? or Will you encounter some serious illness? 

Relax! Eating expired gummies is not among the worst things that can happen to you. Cannabinoids are not toxic so you will not die of it. However, eating expired products isn’t safe either. Some possible outcomes of eating expired gummies are given below:

1.   Reduced Effects

Expired gummies lose their potency over time. Therefore, you may not achieve the desired results. THC gummies, including both Delta 9 and Delta 8, lose their potency after degradation if exposed to oxygen and light.

2.   Foodborne Illness

Eating expired gummies can expose you to bacteria and mold, which in turn leads to the occurrence of foodborne illness.

3.   Allergic Reaction

If you have symptoms of swelling, itching, or a severe reaction, you are likely to develop mold or bacteria, leading to an allergic reaction.

4.   Digestive Problems

You may face some digestive issues or nausea after eating expired edible gummies.

5.   Unflavored Taste

When edible gummies expire, they lose their flavor and become less enjoyable to consume.

Depending on how long you have had expired edible gummies, you can calculate the risk of potential outcomes. Make your best judgment and discard all the gummies that taste bad or smell off.

Factors Affecting Shelf Life of Edible Gummies

Numerous factors affect the shelf life of gummies. These factors not only influence the freshness and flavor of the gummies but also reduce their quality. Some of the affecting factors include:

• Product Ingredients: Products containing natural ingredients tend to have a shorter shelf life compared to those with preservatives.
• Storage Temperature: Excessive heat can reduce the edibles' shelf life, and alter the texture. Cool and dry places keep the edible gummies last longer. 
• UV Light: Exposure to UV light can influence gummies' potency and shorten shelf life. 
• Humidity: Edible gummies must be kept in a moderate humidity. High humidity can lead to a sticky texture that can cause mold. Less humidity can lead to a hard or firm texture of the edibles. 
• Packaging: Packaging indicates for how long the product will stay fresh. UV-protected packaging that keeps humidity, oxygen, and light at bay helps the product stay fresh for longer.

Are Expired THC or CBD Gummies Dangerous?

THC and CBD gummies do not officially expire, yet they start degrading by oxidizing. After the degradation, THC turns into CBN and loses its potency, so it cannot produce the desired outcome. For example, eating the expired THC gummy will not make you high, but will give a relaxing effect of CBN gummies.

However, if the expiry sign includes mold or exposure to bacteria, it can lead to serious digestive problems and foodborne illnesses. 

How to Properly Store Gummies to Extend Shelf Life?

Proper storage of edible gummies makes a big difference in the quality and freshness of gummies. The main cause of edibles going bad is environmental factors such as air, light, heat, bacteria, and moisture.

Therefore, keep your edibles in a cool, dark, and airtight container with moderate humidity. If you are eating a small portion of gummies, avoid biting them directly to minimize exposure to mouth bacteria. Edible gummies can be stored in a freezer in an airtight container to reduce the risk of moisture damage.

Tips to Keep Your Edible Gummies Fresh

It’s important to store edible gummies properly. These tips will aid you in the efficient storage of gummies to increase their shelf life:

• Store your edibles in a cool and dark place, away from light and heat. 
• To reduce moisture and oxygen exposure, store them in an airtight container.
• Check product expiry before every use and discard it if there are any physical signs of expiry.
• Buy according to your needs and consume it in a few months.
• Look for the manufacturing and expiry dates mentioned on the packaging.

Get Yourself Edible Gummies Today

Edible gummies are rapidly growing in the market. No matter if they are cannabis-infused products, they are still a food item and should be treated accordingly. Always check the packaging expiry date and the date you buy them.

High-quality products provide complete information on their manufacturing and expiry dates, either by QR code or by other method. Get your high-quality gummies from CannaAid to enjoy a flavorful and satisfying outcome.