Yes, CBD gummies do expire. Generally, the shelf life of CBD gummies is between one and two years. This duration is dependent on a variety of factors, including ingredient quality and storage conditions.
In this article, we’ll answer your questions about the shelf life and storage of CBD gummies so you’ll have the information you need to keep your products fresh and potent.
Do CBD Gummies Expire?
Yes, CBD gummies will typically expire in 1-2 years. The shelf life of CBD gummies depends on various factors, including the quality of the ingredients used, the quality of the packaging, and how you store them.
Most CBD gummies are designed to be taken once a day and come in jars containing 20-50 pieces. This means that in most cases, you’ll finish your product long before the window of freshness passes.
However, low-quality CBD brands may ship dated products and low-quality retailers may have expired products sitting on their shelves, so it’s important to check the expiration date of your product before you consume it.
Signs CBD Gummies Have Expired
If you suspect your CBD gummies are old or expired, there are several tell-tale signs to look for:
Changes in taste or smell
As with other expired consumable products, old CBD gummies may have a musty smell and a rancid, bitter, or otherwise off-putting flavor.
CBD gummies are made with a variety of flavors, and some products are better-tasting than others. Still, the smells and tastes associated with old products are easily distinguishable.
Changes in texture
Expired CBD gummies may be hard and dry, rather than soft and chewy. They may take on the consistency of hard candy or be leathery and hard to bite into.
This change in texture is common among old products, but it can also happen if CBD gummies are poorly packaged, which exposes them to air.
Discoloration
Most CBD gummies are made with natural or artificial food colorings, both of which may degrade over time. Expired CBD gummies may be lighter and have less coloring than fresh gummies.
Reduced Potency
Just as the ingredients used in CBD gummies may expire, CBD itself may degrade and lose potency over time (generally within 1 year).
If you try a new jar of CBD gummies and they’re noticeably less potent than usual, this may be due to cannabinoid degradation.
That being said, reductions in potency may happen over time as your body becomes used to the same dose; this doesn’t always indicate your product is expired.
What is the Shelf Life of CBD Gummies?
CBD gummies have a shelf life of 1 to 2 years, although they are most potent in the first few months after being manufactured.
The specific shelf life of your gummies will depend on two factors: the ingredients it contains and how you store it.
Ingredients
It’s counterintuitive, but better-quality CBD gummies typically have a shorter shelf life.
This is because they contain fewer artificial preservatives and colors, which makes them better for you but means they won’t last as long.
Products made with artificial preservatives and other artificial ingredients tend to have a longer shelf life.
Storage conditions
CBD gummies stored in a cool, dark place will last longer than those that are exposed to heat, light, and air. These three elements may accelerate the degradation of CBD, as well as of the ingredients used to make the gummies.
How to Store CBD Gummies
The best way to extend the shelf life of your CBD gummies is to properly store them. Here’s how:
Put them in a cool, dark place
Heat, light (UV radiation), and air are the three main environmental elements that will cause CBD and the other ingredients in your gummies to degrade and expire.
Because of this, you’ll want to close the jar or package all the way after each use, and store your CBD gummies in a cool, dark place. Your pantry and kitchen cabinets are great places for this (just ensure children cannot reach them).
Avoid leaving your CBD gummies in your car, where they may be subject to heat and light.
Don’t refrigerate them
Some companies recommend refrigeration as a way to prolong the shelf life of your CBD gummies, but we recommend against this.
This is because CBD gummies don’t need to be kept cold – they just need to be kept out of the heat. This means putting them in a pantry or cabinet will do.
Refrigerating your CBD gummies may lead to them becoming dry and hard, making it much more difficult and much less enjoyable for you to consume them.
Risks of Consuming Expired CBD Gummies
Consuming expired CBD gummies typically isn’t very dangerous, as they aren’t made with ingredients that are prone to developing mold, which is the main byproduct of food expiration that’s dangerous.
Still, we strongly recommend against consuming expired CBD gummies due to the following factors:
Getting sick
While most CBD gummies aren’t made with mold-prone ingredients, some gummies may mold, especially those that aren’t manufactured professionally.
Exposure to moisture can also cause your gummies to mold; if any water or other moisture gets into your CBD gummies, don’t eat them (this is also why you want to avoid exposing them to air).
Consuming mold may lead to mycotoxin poisoning, which can get you very sick and cause a variety of negative symptoms.
Reduced potency
While not as big of a downside as getting sick, expired CBD gummies may be significantly less potent than fresh CBD gummies, so they won’t be as therapeutically effective.
If you’re using CBD gummies for wellness reasons, it’s imperative that you get a fresh product.
Can CBD Extract Expire?
In addition to the ingredients used to make the gummy candy, CBD extract itself degrades over time, so in a sense, it does “expire.”
The three main elements that lead to the degradation of CBD are:
- Light (UV radiation; present in sunlight and artificial lights in smaller amounts)
- Heat
- Air (oxygen)
While consuming degraded CBD products isn’t dangerous, it isn’t necessarily beneficial from a therapeutic standpoint. Over time, less and less CBD will be present, leading to several reduced benefits.
That being said, if you buy high-quality CBD gummies from a reputable company and store them properly, degradation isn’t typically an issue.
Conclusion: How Soon Should You Consume Your CBD Gummies?
CBD gummies have a shelf life of 1-2 years, but we recommend consuming them in the first 1-3 months after you buy them while also applying proper storage techniques. This will ensure that you experience the most potent effects and best flavors possible.
But while proper storage goes a long way, getting the best results from CBD gummies starts with finding a high-quality product. Here are a few things to remember as you shop for CBD gummies:
- Buy from a reputable brand: Buying your CBD gummies from an established brand with happy customers greatly increases the chance of your product being high-quality.
- Read reviews: Reading reviews for the product you’re going to buy will help you find a product that meets your needs, while helping you avoid CBD gummies that have issues with freshness or expiration dates.
- Check lab reports: Reputable brands have their products lab tested to verify their safety and potency. Before you buy a product, check its lab report to ensure it passes tests for pesticides, molds, and heavy metals.
To get the best experience from CBD gummies, buy a high-quality product and store it properly. This will keep it fresh and potent for as long as you need.
Do CBD Gummies Expire: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions our customers frequently ask us about the expiration date of CBD gummies.
What is the shelf life of CBD gummies?
CBD gummies have a shelf life of 1-2 years. The exact shelf life is dependent on factors such as product quality, packaging quality, and storage.
Can you take CBD gummies after they expire?
While consuming expired CBD gummies usually isn’t dangerous, we do not recommend doing so. Expired CBD gummies may be less potent and have worse flavors and textures than fresh products.
Which lasts longer, CBD gummies or CBD oil?
CBD gummies and CBD oil actually have a similar shelf life of 1-2 years, because the shelf life of CBD itself is consistent, no matter what “format” it’s in.
Do CBD:THC gummies expire?
Yes, CBD:THC gummies do expire. CBD and THC both degrade over time due to heat, light, and air exposure, and the other ingredients in these gummies may also go bad over time.
