How Long Do Edibles Take to Expire?

As with any medication or consumable product, edibles do have a shelf-life that can be affected by a range of external factors. It’s important to be aware of these factors, as they can have a direct impact on the efficacy and potency of your medication. 

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While edibles do expire, how long they take to expire will depend on several factors, such as ingredients, how they’re produced, and how they’re stored.  

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Let’s get started. 

What are Prescription Natural Medicines Edibles? 

Edibles (sometimes known as gummies or pastilles) are a format of prescription natural medicine that are consumed orally via the ingestion method. They’ll often look and feel like candy-like gummies or vitamin gummies. They are an effective alternative for individuals looking for a slow-release medication, or those who prefer ingesting their medication as opposed to inhaling it. 

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When prescription natural medicine is ingested, the cannabinoids are absorbed through the body’s digestive system and gastrointestinal tract before it finally metabolises in the liver. While the onset of effects is slower when consumed orally, they are also reported to last longer when compared to inhalation methods.

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Pros of Ingesting Natural Medicine

• Ability to manage dosage in precise measurements 
• Can be consumed discreetly 
• No risk to lungs or lung health 
• Longer lasting effects (4 – 12 hours) 
• Ease of administration which can be helpful for patients with mobility issues

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Cons of Ingesting Natural Medicine 

• Longer onset to feel the full effects 
• May be difficult for patients who experience difficulties with swallowing 

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A 2022 study found that 72% of prescription natural medicine patients in Australia prefer oral consumption, making it the most common method for natural medicine consumption. 

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If you’re interested in exploring edibles as a potential option in your treatment plan, we recommend booking an appointment with a clinic that specialises in prescription natural medicine, or speaking with your doctor to assess your condition. 

Factors That Affect the Shelf-Life of Prescription Natural Medicine Edible Gummies 

When stored properly, prescription natural medicine edibles can last anywhere from 3 -12 months. In Australia, the individual medication will have an expiry date indicated on the packaging. This can be based on a variety of factors:

Ingredients

Even though studies have shown that prescription natural medicine has both antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, the other ingredients that are commonly found in prescription natural medicine edibles (such as oils, sugars, and flavourings) don’t always share these same properties. The quality and freshness of the food-grade ingredients can play a significant role in impacting and determining the shelf-life of edibles. 

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As with food in the fridge and pantry, organic ingredients will typically have a shorter shelf-life when compared to preservatives and synthetic additives. Over time, the efficacy and potency of your prescription natural medicine can also be affected, so it’s important that you consume your medication within its recommended use-by date. 

Production and Manufacturing 

The production methods that are practised by the manufacturers can also play a significant role in the longevity of the edibles. 

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Some manufacturing factors that can impact the overall quality and shelf-life of edibles include: 

• Proper mixing techniques 
• Temperature control 
• Hygienic practices 

Packaging Procedures 

Similar to other foods and beverages, ensuring effective packaging and sealing is essential for preserving the freshness and potency of edibles. 

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Blister packs and air-tight packaging are one way that manufacturers can help to prevent moisture absorption and exposure to oxygen – both of which are factors that can decrease the shelf-life of edibles. 

Additional Environmental Factors 

External factors such as humidity, exposure to sunlight, and drastic changes in temperature can also affect the shelf-life of edibles, so ensuring you practise proper storage methods is crucial (more on this below). 

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Storing your edibles in a cool, dry, and dark place away from direct sunlight and moisture ensures that your medication maintains its quality and efficacy over time, allowing you to reap the greatest therapeutic benefits. 

How to Store Prescription Natural Medicine Edibles

To ensure the maximum therapeutic benefits of your medication, we recommend taking the following factors into consideration when storing your edibles: 

• Temperature
• Exposure to heat and light 
• Packaging and containers 

Temperature-Controlled Environment 

As with any medication, we recommend storing your edibles in a cool, dry place, away from any direct sunlight or heat sources (such as stovetops, microwaves, or heaters). 

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The optimal storage temperature for edibles ranges from 15 – 25°C. 

Heat and Light Exposure 

Exposure to both heat and light can degrade the efficacy of the prescription natural medicine extract and accelerate the breakdown of ingredients such as sugars and oils in the edibles. High levels of humidity can also promote the growth of mould and other bacteria, which can cause your edibles to lose their integrity. 

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We recommend keeping your edibles in their original packaging unless transferring them to a light-proof container to minimise exposure to light, and storing them in a cupboard away from windows and other heat sources. 

Packaging 

Exposure to air and light can lead to the degradation of your edibles, so ensuring that your medication is packaged and stored securely is crucial for maintaining its freshness and efficacy. 

How to Tell if Gummies Have Expired 

If you’ve had your medication for a while or have accidentally left it exposed to the elements, you may be wondering if you can easily determine if it has expired or not. If you find yourself in this situation, we recommend taking note of the following: 

Expiration Date

If you’re unsure whether or not your medication has expired, we recommend first confirming the expiration date. When in doubt, always check the packaging for a best-before or expiration date. 

Efficacy of the Ingredients

Over time, all medications can lose their potency and efficacy – including prescription natural medicine. If you notice a decline in the potency of your medication, this could be an indication that the product is nearing expiration (even if it’s still within its use-by date). 

Physical Appearance 

Just like any other consumable product, medication also shows signs of ageing. Signs of expiration may include discolouration, mould, separation, crystallisation, or a change in the scent.  

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If you suspect your medication has expired, you will need to book a follow-up appointment with your prescribing doctor. Your doctor can help to write you a new, valid prescription, or explore other natural therapy options. 

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Determining whether or not your edibles have expired can be difficult. For extra assistance, please reach out to our Polln Care Team. Our team is happy to answer any questions you may have. 

The Bottom Line 

Just like any other food or medication, edibles expire. While prescription natural medicine can typically remain fresh for 6 months, the way you store your product can have a huge impact on the efficacy and shelf-life of the medication. 

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By following proper storage recommendations and avoiding exposure to direct sunlight and air, you can help ensure that you get the most out of your medication’s shelf life. 

Edibles FAQ: 

How Long Do Edible Gummies Stay in Your System?  

While the effects of ingesting prescription natural medicine can take up to an hour to kick in, research has found that these same effects can last for 6+ hours, with the strongest effects occurring approximately 3 hours after ingestion. 

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It is important to note that even after the effects have worn off, active ingredients from your medication may still be detected in your system. How long the active ingredients can be detected in your system is affected by the following two factors: 

1. The dosage amount of prescription natural medicine
2. An individual’s metabolism 

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Because everyone’s metabolism is different, and because dosage differs depending on the person, there is no one answer that determines how long natural medicine will stay in your system. 

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However, studies have found that frequent prescription natural medicine consumption and higher doses of natural medicine can lead to longer detection times. In various drug tests (including saliva, urine, and blood), natural medicine may be detected in an individual’s system for up to 90 days. 

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At the time of writing, driving with any amount of active ingredients from prescription natural medicine is illegal in all Australian states and territories, except Tasmania. Because of this, it’s important that you understand how long natural medicine can be detected in your system if you’re a natural medicine patient who plans on driving. 

Can You Eat Edibles That Have Gone Bad? 

We strongly advise against consuming prescription natural medicine edibles that have expired. Consuming an expired edible means that your medication may no longer carry its desired therapeutic benefits. 

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Edibles that have expired as a result of poor storage conditions and exposure to air and sun may also carry significant health risks, including food poisoning. 

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If you’re unsure whether your edibles are still safe for consumption or not, we recommend booking an appointment with your doctor to discuss next steps.