How Long Does Jello Last? Can it Go Bad?
Your two best friends are in town, and since you moved to a new apartment, and they need to know where you live, you throw a mini- house warming party and treat them with their favorite dessert, Jello.
After merrymaking, a lot of it is left in the pantry, and since you are not a big fan, you start worrying about how long it will stay there without going bad. You should have shared it between your two friends, but you didn’t.
All you are thinking about now is how you will store it so that they can find it still okay the next time they will come visiting. Why can’t the sell-by date wait until your friends show up again so that they can have the remaining amount of Jello? Is it okay if I store it in the fridge, or even freezing it?
Well, we got you covered in this write-up. We have compiled the answers to these questions and the others you might have concerning jello. Let’s dive in and learn more.
Does Jello Go Bad?
Jello comes in powdered form, which makes it pretty easier to store. On the pack, there is a best-by date, which is usually an estimate of how long the powder should stay. Although the time between the manufacturing and the expiry date is the time Jello is usually at its best state, this does not mean that you should discard it immediately after the expiry date.
However, all foods go bad, and Jello is not an exception. Prepared Jello can go for as long as ten days, when refrigerated. It is important to note that there will be a difference in taste since quality degrades as days pass by.
You don’t expect Jello that is consumed at three days after refrigeration to taste the same as one that has stayed for nine or ten days. That is why it is advisable not to keep it long in the refrigerator. The unprepared one will stay a little bit longer without going bad.
The pre-packaged cups will not go bad if well stored. With standard storage at room temperature and away from moisture, Jello will stay for a long time, provided you checked the expiry date before buying.
It would be best if you were keen on its storage instructions to get it right in the first place. Most times, how we store our foods determines how long it will stay without going bad.
For dry sealed Jello mix, it can stay for years at room temperature without going bad. The remaining amount after opening the package can stay for three months.
So, it is true; Jello does go bad. But its expiry will solely depend on how well or bad you store it.
How to Store Jello
Jello is a powder-like substance. Just like any other dry product, it has that “store in a cool and dry place” instructions on its label that many people tend to overlook. You can store it the way you store your dry foods like spices.
Please keep it away, in a dry place, far away from moisture. The fittest place for these instructions is in your pantry or your kitchen cupboard. For already prepared Jello, feel free to put it in your refrigerator.
It has a tendency of picking odors fast, so make sure it is nowhere near a ripe pineapple or a weird smelling food or fruit. You don’t want to take your Jello smelling and tasting like a mixture of ripe bananas and some weird tasting jello.
Moreover, do not let these fruits stop you from creating a space for your Jello in the refrigerator. Instead, look for airtight containers and put in them. This way, it will not be able to pick smells from other foods.
Can I Put Some Jello In The Freezer?
You are not the only one wondering if it is okay to freeze your Jello. Foods are different, and while some have instructions on their package indicating how to store and under what conditions, others don’t have. In this case, you decide for yourself.
People either choose to learn by experience (by storing some to see how it goes or if they love it) or, by turning to the internet, just like you. Did the manufacturer indicate that it can be frozen? If not, then do not freeze.
If you already prepared it, keeping it in the refrigerator is enough. Freezing it means you are desperately looking to extend its shelf life and this will only compromise on the taste, something you do not want to happen.
How Long Does Jello Last
A box of Jello, like other products, has a best-before date on it. This is just an estimate of the time the product will be at its best. It is allowed to use Jello some days after the sell-by date has passed.
How you store Jello is what will determine how long it will stay. If you follow the ‘store in a cool, dry place’ instructions, your Jello will last for years.
Please make sure you look at the expiry date before you purchase because following the storage instructions will not reduce its expiry date from tomorrow to two months to come.
A dry un open Jello gelatin mix can stay as long as its expiry date is yet, and for an additional one month after the expiry date. On the other hand, a store-bought Jello dessert should be taken within five days of refrigeration.
The pre-packaged cups of Jello that you have stirred together for dessert and those boozy jello shots are out of this equation. Do not be in a hurry to gobble all up because they can stay for as long as seven days.
Jello molds made with fruit are also a different story. Presence of fruit accelerates the deterioration and so to get the best out of them, don’t let them stay for more than three days.
How do I Know that Jello has Gone Bad?
It has a long life, and it still does go bad. The expiry dates come, and most times, wrong storage contributes to its expiry.
If you let your storage container come into contact with moisture, your Jello will go wrong. Clumps and molds will indicate this.
Just like the other foods, you will notice a color change and change of texture in expired Jello. There will be organic growths like mold which show up as dark or white shows on the surface and cannot go unnoticed.
Does your Jello have the same odor because this is also another sign that it is time to do away with it?
When is the expiry date? Probably it is already two months past. This is so obvious that your Jello has gone bad and you should discard it.
As it ages, prepared Jello will start breaking, and it eventually separates. If you want to convince yourself that your Jello is still okay, prepare some and have a taste. Your sense of taste will decide for you. Expired Jello will have a weird taste that you cannot ignore.
Gelatin mix has the ability of turning water into a gel. If you dip your batch and this does not happen, it is the time to discard the package.
Is It Okay To Use Expired Jello?
The expiry date on the Jello packaging is not the last date you should use it. It is just an estimate date by the manufacturer of when Jello will be at its best texture and give the best taste.
It is okay to use Jello a few days after the expiry date. But there is a caveat. You have to be keen with the taste, texture and appearance of the Jello. Otherwise, the expiry date should not stop you from taking your dessert.
Related Questions
What Will Happen If You Eat Expired Jello?
If it is less than a month after the expiry date, there will be no harm. However, you have to make sure that there is nothing questionable. This includes the smell, texture and appearance of the Jello.
Expiry is not only indicated by the sell-by date. If your Jello came in contact with moisture and has clumped up, even if the expiry date has not reached, you should consider it as expired.
Eating expired food introduces bacteria to our stomachs, and this can cause diarrhea and vomiting. You need to pay attention to all the indicators of expired Jello to be safe.
When Does Jello Go Bad?
It takes a long time for Jello to go bad (according to the expiry date on the package). Besides the expiry date, storage plays an essential role in keeping Jello in good condition.
Contaminating it with moisture a day after buying Jello can make it go bad even before the expiry date. For it to stay for the longest time, ensure it stays in a cool, dry place, or the pantry.
