“Do fruit snacks expire?” is a typical question for snack buyers. Yes, they do expire, usually after a year. In this guide, learn how to spot bad fruit snacks and keep yours fresh. Stick around to get all the tips and tricks for enjoying your snacks at their best!
Do Fruit Snacks Expire? All You Need To Know
Fruit snacks do expire. They have a “best by” date, which indicates when they are expected to retain optimal quality. After this date, while they may not be unsafe to eat, their texture, flavor, and color could deteriorate, potentially affecting the overall eating experience.
Fruit snacks are usually made from fruit juice concentrate, sugar, and a few other ingredients to keep them tasty and chewy. Because of the sugar, fruit snacks can last quite a while, but they eventually do expire.
Remember, proper storage of fruit snacks is key. If you leave them in a hot car or a humid place, they might spoil faster. Always try to keep them sealed and stored correctly to enjoy them at their best.
How Long Do Fruit Snacks Expire?
Most fruit snacks have a shelf life of about one year if you keep them in their original packaging and store them properly. This means keeping the snacks in a dry pantry away from direct sunlight.
When you look at the package, you’ll usually find a “best by” date. This date gives you an idea of how long the snacks will be at their best quality.
Here are the general fruit snacks’ shelf life details:
| Condition | Unopened Shelf Life | Opened Shelf Life |
| Counter | 6 – 12 months | 1 – 2 weeks |
| Fridge | 12 – 18 months | 3 – 4 weeks |
| Freezer | 18 – 24 months | 6 – 8 months |
So, while fruit snacks do expire, they have a decent shelf life. Just keep an eye on that date and store them properly, and you’ll be good to go!
Where Is the Expiration Date on Welch’s Fruit Snacks?
Welch’s Fruit Snacks have expiration dates printed in two places: on the outer box and on individual pouches inside. On the outer box, look for the date stamped on the side or bottom. For individual pouches, you will see a date or a lot code printed.
The lot code indicates when the product was made and its best-by date, ensuring you can check the freshness even without the outer packaging. Always refer to these dates to ensure the snacks are of the best quality.
How To Read Fruit Roll Up Expiration Date?
Reading the expiration code on Fruit Roll-Ups involves understanding a specific EXP format, which is referred to as a lot code or production code. Welch’s fruit snacks lot codes follow a common system where letters represent months, and numbers indicate the year and day.
Let’s decode two examples: “D3cr19” and “EOCR31”.
Example: D3cr19
- D: This represents April. Manufacturers often use letters to denote months (A = January, B = February, C = March, D = April).
- 3: Indicates the year 2023.
- cr19: “19” signifies the 19th day of the month, and “cr” is an internal code for batch identification.
So, “D3cr19” means the product should be consumed by April 19, 2023.
Example: EOCR31
- E: Represents May.
- O: Stands for the year 2020.
- CR31: “31” indicates the 31st day of the month, with “CR” being an internal batch code.
Thus, “EOCR31” means the product should be consumed by May 31, 2020.
How to Read General Mills Fruit Roll-Ups Expiration Date?
To read the expiration date on General Mills Fruit Roll-Ups, locate the code printed on the package. This code is typically in the format of MMDDYY, where MM stands for the month, DD for the day, and YY for the year.
For example, if the code reads “051523,” the product is best consumed by May 15, 2023.
Example: 051523
- 05: Represents May.
- 15: 15th day of the month.
- 23: Stands for the year 2023.
So, “051523” means the Fruit Roll-Ups are best consumed by May 15, 2023.
What Happens if You Eat Expired Welch’s Fruit Snacks?
Eating expired Welch’s Fruit Snacks usually isn’t harmful if they don’t show signs of spoilage. However, they might taste stale and lose their texture. The possible side effects you may feel are:
Stomach Discomfort
Eating expired fruit snacks can sometimes cause stomach discomfort. If the snacks have gone bad, they might contain bacteria that can lead to mild food poisoning. Symptoms can include stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea. It’s important to always check the expiration date and look for any signs of spoilage before eating.
Changes in Texture and Taste
Expired fruit snacks often lose their original texture and taste. They can become hard, chewy, or even dry. This happens because the ingredients degrade over time.
While this change isn’t harmful, it makes the snacks less enjoyable to eat. Always store your snacks properly to maintain their quality as long as possible.
Risk of Mold
If fruit snacks are stored improperly or are far past their expiration date, mold can develop. Eating moldy snacks can cause allergic reactions or respiratory problems. Always inspect your snacks for any signs of mold, such as fuzzy spots or an off smell. If you see any mold, throw the snacks away immediately.
Mild Allergic Reactions
Some people might experience mild allergic reactions when consuming expired snacks, especially if preservatives break down and change their chemical composition.
Symptoms could include itching, rashes, or mild swelling. If you have a sensitive immune system, it’s best to avoid expired food products altogether.
How To Tell if Fruit Snacks Are Bad? 5 Signs
You can tell if fruit snacks are bad by checking for changes in color. You may also notice poor texture and foul smell. Similarly, look for mold or unusual spots and feel if they are overly hard or sticky. A strange or off-putting smell is also a sign they’ve gone bad.
Change in Color
One of the first signs that fruit snacks have gone bad is a change in color. Fresh fruit snacks typically have bright, vibrant colors. If you notice any fading or discoloration, this could mean they are no longer good to eat.
Sometimes, dark spots or patches may appear. These changes can indicate that the fruit snacks have been exposed to air or moisture, causing them to spoil. Always check the color before eating to ensure they are safe.
Altered Texture
The texture of fruit snacks can also tell you if they have gone bad. Fresh fruit snacks are usually soft and chewy. When they go bad, they might become very hard, overly sticky, or even dry and brittle.
If you find that your fruit snacks have a different texture than usual, it’s best to throw them out. A change in texture often means they have been exposed to air or have started to decompose, making them unsafe to eat.
Off Smell
A strong or unusual smell is a clear sign that fruit snacks have gone bad. Fresh fruit snacks have a sweet, fruity aroma. If you notice any sour or rancid smells, it means the snacks have likely spoiled. This change in smell happens when the ingredients break down, and bacteria start to grow.
Always give your fruit snacks a quick sniff before eating to make sure they smell fresh. If they don’t, it’s better to be safe and discard them.
Presence of Mold
Mold is a definite sign that fruit snacks are bad. If you see any fuzzy spots, usually white, green, or black, it means mold has started to grow.
Even if only a small part of the snack has mold, it’s safest to throw away the entire package. Mold spreads easily, and you don’t want to risk eating contaminated food.
Unusual Taste
If your fruit snacks taste different than they normally do, it’s a sign they might be bad. Fresh fruit snacks have a consistent, fruity flavor. If you notice a sour, bitter, or off-taste, it’s best to stop eating them immediately.
This unusual taste can be a result of the snacks starting to spoil or degrade. Your taste buds are a good indicator of food safety, so trust them if something tastes off.
Always remember to store your fruit snacks properly to extend their shelf life. Keep them in a cool, dry place, and make sure the packaging is sealed tightly. If you ever doubt the freshness of your snacks, it’s safer to throw them out and avoid any risk to your health.
Conclusion
In summary, fruit snacks do expire. However, keeping them fresh and safe to eat is easy if you know what to look for:
- Check expiration dates on fruit snacks regularly to ensure they are still good.
- Store your snacks in a cool place to maintain their quality.
- Always inspect for mold and discard any snacks that show signs of it.
- Properly seal the packaging after opening to prevent exposure to air and moisture.
Follow these tips, and you’ll always enjoy your fruit snacks at their best!
