Many people like chewing gum as a tasty pleasure to keep their tongues entertained and their breath fresh. Although it may feel good for a time, it soon turns into a rubbery, flavorless lump in your tongue. Chewing gum falls into a strange realm where it is not quite perishable. So, does gum have an expiration date?

Can Gum Expire?

It is unclear if chewing gum may expire or not. Several nations do not require gum to have an expiry date displayed on the packaging.

This is due to the fact that gum is a relatively stable and non-reactive substance. Moisture content is the primary cause of food spoilage because it offers the best conditions for bacteria to proliferate. This is true even for food items found in the water, such as sea moss. It is quite difficult to prevent food from spoiling.

Gum normally contains little moisture, which explains why it is unlikely to expire. This does not imply that it will remain fresh and flawless indefinitely, since the texture will obviously change for the worst and become brittle after some time. In addition, no matter how fruity or minty your gum was before, the taste is likely to fade with time.

Although this seems to be a convoluted tangle, there is an ultimate solution. Chewing gum technically expires because the texture and taste are changed after it has been prepared and stored for a period of time. This alteration, no matter how little, demonstrates that gum nevertheless decomposes over time. It merely does so at a slower pace than other meals.

Can Expired Gum Make You Sick?

On its own, expired gum does not make you ill. You will be safe as long as the gum is stored carefully within the packing and box it arrived in. It is strongly advised that you should not consume gum that has been in a broken, open, or torn wrapper or box.

This implies that if you locate gum that is beyond its expiration date and the box is torn or open, you should not consume it. It might be contaminated with microorganisms that will make you sick.

What Happens if You Eat Expired Gum?

If you consume expired gum or gum that has been sitting behind a desk for a few years, you will notice nothing out of the ordinary about it. The bulk of the adjustments will be to the taste and texture of the gum.

The gum is more likely to be brittle than soft and chewy. As you attempt to eat it, it will split into smaller pieces. The texture will be less stringy and chewy after this, and much more rubbery.

In terms of taste, there may be a trace of it remained in the gum. Other than that, it will be nothing like it once was. The taste is most likely still strong enough to tell what it was. Yet, it will not be nearly as powerful as it once was.

Expired gum is not harmful to your health in any way that fresh gum is not. This refers to the repetitive swallowing of gum. Chewing gum may cause a clog in your bowel because your body struggles to break it down and digest it. Swallowing gum in big amounts might be hazardous.

How Long Does it take for Gum to Expire?

Chewing gum takes much longer to be classified as expired than other meals and perishable commodities due to its low moisture content. Gum may be eaten safely for around two years if properly preserved.

It is not difficult to store gum securely. It only has to be kept out of direct sunlight and away from any source of heat. This is due to the fact that once the hard coating on gum melts away, it will expire at a faster pace.

Should You Eat Expired Gum?

It is entirely up to you whether or not to consume expired gum. If it’s an old package you find in a desk drawer, there’s a good chance it’s safe to consume. But, if you discover it on the floor and the package is shredded and dusty, I strongly advise avoiding eating it.

Although throwing things away may seem to be a waste, it is most likely for the best. Toss it away and go out and get a new pack.

FAQs on Gum Expiring