Bought 42 Gatorade Gels on Ebay for a bargain but did not notice until they arrived that they expired 9-19-20 (8 months outdated now). The seller was honest and posted the expiry date, I just didn’t notice so my bad. I’m thinking I should just toss them. Any advice?
Thank you, Tom
I expect they’re absolutely fine. Open one and give it a test sniff and taste. My experience with old gels has always been positive. I’ve used several two + years past expiration with no ill effects.
YMMV,
Hugh
They are fine.
I am still literally using a tub of maltodextrin that is 10 years old (I bought a 50 lbs bag and haven’t finished using it!). I just keep it dry and it’s still good when mixed in!
I’ve eaten gels that were three years expired before. Not one or two of them. I’m talking a box or two. They tasted just like fresh ones and never made me sick.
I did develop an unquenchable thirst for blood and slept in a coffin during the day for a few months after that but I doubt it was the gels.
When I worked at a running store that made a habit of ordering too many nutrition products we always got to take the expired ones home with us. Probably most of the gels, etc I’ve ever eaten were expired. Totally fine
Totally fine, just consumed a gel on Sunday that expired 2018.
Unless you actually taste that it has gone bad - go for it.
I had some gels over five years past the expiration date. Bought some of the same brand and flavors (hammer and GU) to compare, they all tasted exactly the same!
You guys are the best ! Thanks so much !!!
Tom
I have a gel in my bike tool box that expired in the late 90’s. Someday I’ll open it and try it.
They are fine.
I had some Powergels that were 2yrs past expiration. They were fine, other than the fact that by then some of the malto/fructose had recrystalized at the bottom of the packet (kinda like crystalized honey). Tasted/worked fine, other than I just didn’t slurp the crystalized part (just don’t like the texture…not that it would have been harmful).
Maybe stay away from this stuff, though.
I expect they’re absolutely fine. Open one and give it a test sniff and taste. My experience with old gels has always been positive. I’ve used several two + years past expiration with no ill effects.
YMMV,
Hugh
That’s been my experience as well.
Hmmm…
I have a drawer full of gels from 2018, the last time I did a long race. May not ever use them. Hadn’t thought of selling them on eBay. However, we recently moved and they may have been thrown out.
Gels are about $1 each. I’m poor and cheap compared to everyone else on this board and I always spend way too much time searching for the best deals, but is it worth a few bucks to get second-hand gels?
Honestly, it’s one of the most interesting things about this board. Y’all talk of spending thousands of dollars on a whim like it’s nothing, and there are threads on spending $300 to get someone to tell you how high to have your saddle or $200 more aero shoelaces, but then there are threads on saving 12 cents by reusing inner tube patches.
But maybe it’s the watching the pennies that lets y’all save the money for the shoelaces.
Not a criticism of either the penny-pinchers or the rich boys (who may be the same people), just an interesting observation.
Those things have so many preservatives in them that they will last a 100 years!
I did have one from about 10 years ago that appeared to have crystallized.
I think Gels are like Twinkies. This scene from the future in Mortal Engines should answer your question.
“The food of the ancients never goes off. It’s indestructible.”
Mortal Engines (2018) - Twinkie Scene - YouTube
Eat them…they are fine.
This could turn into a “who’s eaten the oldest, most-expired food item” thread.
So far, I think it’s lightheir at 10yrs past expiration date?
I swigged a drinkable yogurt/shake thing pre-ride once… checked the date only when it tasted sour. Yup, expired. Still turned out to be an ok ride.
I’m a living proof. Don’t worry and take them.
Is it a best before or expiry date?
Sugar is a preservative which is why Jam can be kept out of the fridge even though it’s filled with actual rotting fruit …add to that that the packaging is keeping air out too
I don’t know if FDA requires a date on packaged foodstuffs but the date on this kind of stuff is usually when the coloring in the packaging starts to fade. Some companies add a date to boost consumption urgency