CBD gummies have become increasingly popular among people who are seeking the potential benefits of CBD.
However, as with any food product, CBD gummies also have an expiration date, and many people question whether eating them past their expiration date is safe and what will happen if you eat a CBD gummy that’s expired recently.
In this article, we will discuss CBD gummies’ expiration dates, including whether it is safe to eat expired gummies, what happens if you consume them, and how to increase their shelf life.
Is it safe to eat expired CBD gummies?
A CBD gummy usually has a shelf life of 6 to 12 months, depending on the manufacturer; after that, it will expire and the cannabidiol will start to degrade and lose its potency, making the gummies less effective than before.
However, the main risk associated with eating expired CBD gummies is that they may have grown mold or bacteria in them, which can cause food poisoning.
Additionally, the expired gummies can also lose their texture and flavor, making them less enjoyable to eat.
The expiration date on the packaging indicates the date until which the manufacturer guarantees the quality, safety, and effectiveness of their product.
How to find out if CBD gummies have expired?
- Best-before date: The best-before or expiration date on the package clearly indicates when a product is no longer safe to consume. The gummies should not be consumed if they have passed their best-before date.
- Changes in color or appearance: If the gummies have changed color or have developed spots or other discolorations that were not before.
- Changes in texture or consistency: If the gummies have become hard, sticky, or have developed a strange texture.
- Unpleasant odor and taste: If the gummies have developed an unpleasant odor or taste different.
It is generally recommended to consume CBD gummies before their expiration date and to discard them if they show any signs of expiry.
Do expired CBD gummies work?
An expired CBD gummy may still work because the CBD in it can still have some therapeutic properties, but its potency and effectiveness will be compromised.
CBD is a natural and relatively stable compound, but it can still be affected by environmental factors such as heat, light, and oxygen, that can cause it to break down or lose its potency.
Additionally, the texture and flavor of expired gummies can also be affected due to extended exposure to the air or moisture, making them less enjoyable to eat.
As a result, expired CBD gummies will not be as potent, safe, or effective as fresh ones.
What happens if you eat expired CBD gummies?
Consuming expired CBD gummies can pose several risks to your health, depending on their extent of contamination and deterioration. In worst cases, you could have certain negative effects like stomach discomfort, nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting.
In this case, consulting with a healthcare professional is recommended.
However, in many cases, eating an expired CBD gummy results in the reduced effectiveness for which it was intended because the active cannabinoids in the gummies get degraded over time.
Furthermore, consuming expired gummies can also lead to an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
For the best experience, it is recommended that you consume CBD gummies before their expiration date, and you should always discard them if they have passed that date.
How to increase the shelf life of CBD gummies?
- Store in a cool, dry, and dark place: Exposure to heat, light, and moisture can cause the active ingredients in CBD gummies to degrade, reducing their potency and effectiveness. Therefore, it is recommended that you store them in a cool, dry, and dark place away from direct sunlight and humidity.
- Keep them in their original packaging: The original packaging of a gummy is designed to protect them from exposure to the environment.
- Use airtight containers: If you need to transfer CBD gummies to a different container, use a good quality airtight container that properly protects them from exposure to air and moisture.
- Don’t expose them to extreme temperatures: Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can affect the potency and effectiveness of CBD.
- Avoid touching them with your hands: Touching the rest of the CBD gummies with your hands can transfer bacteria and other contaminants to the product, which can cause them to spoil more quickly.
Final thoughts
CBD gummies can be a convenient and enjoyable way to consume cannabidiol, but like most consumable goods, they also have an expiration date, and eating them past that date can be unsafe.
To increase the shelf life of CBD gummies, you should store them properly and buy them from a reputable manufacturer; however, if your gummies have passed their expiration date, it is recommended that you discard them and buy a fresh batch.
Moreover, if you experience any adverse effects after consuming expired CBD gummies, you should consult a medical professional immediately.
Disclosure:
The information in this article is intended for general use only and may not always be appropriate for everyone’s needs. Your health and wellness are unique to you, so before acting on anything we say, seek personalized advice from a medical professional.
We value the accuracy and editorial integrity of all our articles, and we strive to ensure that the content we publish is accurate and up-to-date to the best of our knowledge.