Do you like M & M’s chocolates? If you stumble into a pack of M&Ms and wonder if they expire, you may want to know the answer before tearing into the package. M&Ms have been around since the 1940s and have amassed a large following among people who enjoy chocolate.
In the 1950s, counterfeiters emerged. Therefore the candy was “branded” with the trademark we know today to protect consumers from being duped.
Milk chocolate, white chocolate, dark chocolate, mocha, mint chocolate, chocolate almond, and raspberry almond are just some of the flavors available for the colorful, little, candy-coated chocolate discs.
They are packaged and sold in discrete, brightly colored bags to maintain their quality and freshness. Manufacturers pack lots of sweets into each little package.
It’s important to double-check a few things, despite their attractive appearance and generally excellent flavor, to ensure they are safe to eat.
Especially for Halloween, when you’ve amassed more than you can eat in one sitting. Surely you’ve pondered, “Do M&Ms go bad?” at some point in your life, just like every kid on the block who has a handful of candy and no idea what to do with it.
Can you consume these for a long time? If they’ve gone bad, do they show any particular symptoms? Read on to know can M&Ms go bad or not.
Do M&Ms Go Bad? How Long do they Last?
The Hershey Company states that a single M&M will remain fresh for up to two years if stored in its original packaging. The shelf life of a single M&M is about eight months if you open the bag.
A fresh bag of M&Ms bought from a supermarket or convenience store should be eaten within six months. The same goes for items bought at a convenience store or petrol station vending machine.
Do M&Ms get Stale After Sometime?
After the “best by” date has passed, M&M Peanut packs can be kept for six months, whereas M&M Mint packs can be kept for a year if stored in a closet. M&Ms have a shelf life that could be different depending on the flavor you get.
Though many sweets have a “best before” date, M&Ms and other similar candies have a specific expiration time. Even though the “best if used by” date on your M&Ms has passed, you can still enjoy these tasty candies.
Plain M&Ms are the best option for stockpiling M&Ms because you can freeze them for an extended period without losing their delicious flavor.
M&Ms have an extended shelf life because of the extra coating that protects them from the elements. It’s possible that they won’t taste as good to you in the first place, but it’s also possible that their flavor will fade over time.
Is There a Way to Tell if M&Ms Are Bad or Expired?
When it comes to M&Ms, milk chocolate ones last the longest. However, other types and flavors can last a long time if properly maintained. After the best-before date, M&Ms may still be edible, but they may lose some of their original flavor and texture.
Here are some tips to remember so you don’t eat old M&Ms.
- Tip 1: If you open a bag of M&Ms and see that some candies have dry edges and cracks through which you can see the chocolate underneath, it’s probably best to trash the bag.
- Tip 2: If there find white specks inside the chocolate, the product likely becomes moldy due to improper storage conditions. When we expose food to high humidity levels, it can quickly spoil.
- Tip 3: Sniff them to see if you notice a difference in aroma.
- Tip 4: If one appears poorly, you may bite into it to evaluate the flavor and texture. Discard them.
Keep in mind that M&Ms should have the aroma and flavor of freshly melted chocolate. If you feel that M&Ms taste bad or have an irritating smell, throw them away and avoid eating them.
What Helps in the Long-Lasting Shelf Life of M&Ms?
There is a unique reason why M&Ms can stay fresh for so long. Chocolate, an extremely durable food, is used in their production. The extra coating makes the candy last longer. They become unusable after a certain period, though.
Because of their coating, M&Ms have a very extended shelf life. But after a while, the candy loses its freshness and flavor, and it no longer tastes as good as it did when you first purchased it.
As a result of its preservatives, M&Ms have a lengthy shelf life. But if the temperature is too high, the candy could still melt and become bad before it would if kept at or below 75 degrees F.
To increase the longevity of your M&M candies, always remember to store them at proper temperatures, preferably in the fridge or the freezer, if possible.
If you can’t resist, wait to open the package until you know you can eat everything inside. If that’s not possible, put the sweets in a plastic bag.
Is It Possible to Store M&Ms in a Freezer?
You can keep M&Ms in the freezer. Depending on its composition, chocolate can be securely stored in the freezer for anywhere from three months to two years.
Crisp rice M&Ms have a three-month shelf life in the freezer, whereas dark chocolate M&Ms can last up to two years. All the ingredients of chocolate influence its optimal storage period.
Tips to Freeze M&Ms Properly
As discussed earlier, the ingredients in your M&Ms will decide how long they will keep in the freezer. As a result, their shelf life will vary depending on the components, even if they are frozen. A ziplock bag or other sealed container is ideal for this purpose.
The procedure is as follows:
- Tip 1: If you want to keep your M&Ms fresh after opening the bag, store them in a container or freezer bag.
- Tip 2: If you’re putting something in the freezer, make sure you deflate the bag as much as possible.
- Tip 3: Wrap it up in aluminum foil and make sure you seal the bag.
- Tip 4: Put a date on the package, bring it to room temperature, and label it.
- Tip 5: Put the sealed candy in the fridge for a while to let the seal relax, and then pop it in the freezer. It will allow it plenty of time to adapt to the new temperatures.
Conclusion
Correct storage is the most critical factor in extending the life of M&Ms. By now, you may have the answer to your question, can M&Ms go bad? I hope this article was of help to you in finding unique information on M&M’s chocolate.
Here, I conclude my article. For more information, stay tuned!
