Jello is one of the most popular desserts around the world, mainly because Jello is easy to make and there are so many ways to make Jello.
If you happen to end up with too many Jello desserts on a holiday, your primary concern is spoilage, and if Jello goes bad. I looked into it, and here is what I found!
Does Jello Go Bad?
Jello eventually goes bad although the time varies depending on several factors. Dry, unopened Jello can last for several years past the expiration date. However, opened dry Jello will only last for up to four months after opening. Meanwhile, prepared Jello can remain edible in the fridge for up to ten days.
In case you are curious to learn more about how long Jello brands take to spoil and what you can do to increase Jello’s shelf life, keep reading!
Does Jello Expire If Unopened?
While unopened or dry Jello does eventually expire, dry Jello is still good for many years after the expiration date has passed.
Generally, the expiration date in most dry Jello is the timeframe in which the Jello will have the best quality when prepared.
However, the dry Jello will still be safe and edible for years after that point although you have to expect that the Jello’s taste will not be as excellent.
Nevertheless, if the packaging of the dry Jello has small tears or has been exposed to a damp environment, expect that the dry Jello will go bad quickly.
Does Jello Go Bad In The Fridge?
When stored in the fridge, Jello can last for as long as ten days. Beyond that, Jello will begin to show signs of spoilage even if the fridge is set to the lowest temperature.
However, the length of time Jello lasts also depends on the temperature in your fridge and the ingredients you add to your Jello.
Typically, Jello that has fruits in it will only last for about two to three days depending on how fast those fruits and other ingredients spoil.
Does Jello Go Bad In Room Temperature?
Jello will go bad if left at room temperature. Ideally, after the Jello has cooled down, you have to keep the Jello stored in the fridge until ready to serve.
Leaving Jello at room temperature can result in spoilage after a couple of hours. If the environment is hot, the Jello can also begin to melt.
Additionally, spoilage will happen faster if the Jello is exposed to direct sunlight and not covered.
How Long Does Jello Last Out Of The Fridge?
How long Jello can last out of the fridge depends on the temperature you will be leaving the Jello in. If it is winter and the room is chilly, the Jello will last longer out of the fridge.
If it is summer and the temperature is hotter than usual, the Jello might begin to show signs of spoilage after a few hours.
Ultimately, it is not recommended to leave Jello out of the fridge even in winter because the temperature can fluctuate and the Jello will still spoil despite the cold weather.
How Do You Know If Jello Is Expired?
Expired dry Jello can become clumpy, suffer from discoloration, and give off a bad odor.
Meanwhile, prepared Jello will usually have packets of watery liquid at the top or sides. Additionally, you may find that the Jello is no longer sweet, but bitter.
Other times, Jello will develop molds or other bacterial marks on the surface. When this happens, throw away the Jello at once.
Can You Still Use Expired Jello?
You can still use expired dry Jello as long as the dry Jello does not show signs of spoilage. Additionally, the expired Jello you plan to use should not have been opened before.
After three to four months of opening a packet of Jello, the Jello will begin to spoil and you may no longer use the Jello powder.
Moreover, if you use part of the Jello after the expiration date, you have to consider using the rest of the Jello within the following month for safe results.
How Long Is Jello Instant Pudding Good For After Expiration Date?
Unopened Jell-O Instant Pudding is still safe to use within three to four weeks after the expiration date if the Jell-O Instant Pudding has been stored correctly.
In case the Jell-O Instant Pudding was exposed to moisture before, partially opened, or left in a hot place, you need to throw the Jell-O Instant Pudding away right away, especially once it hits the expiration date.
Is It OK To Eat Expired Jello Pudding?
You may still eat expired Jello pudding within a month after the expiration date has passed. Beyond that, it is best to throw the Jello pudding away and buy a new one.
Meanwhile, prepared Jello pudding that was commercially bought has to be consumed on or before the expiration date to be completely safe.
What Happens If I Eat Moldy Jello?
Eating only a small amount of moly Jello would not usually result in anything life-threatening. However, finishing an entire serving of moldy Jello could result in severe symptoms.
What To Do With Expired Jello?
If the Jello has been expired for years even if the Jello powder is still in good condition, it is still best to replace the expired Jello with a new one.
Using expired Jello that you have not stored properly is especially dangerous, as you might overlook the first signs of spoilage as you are preparing the Jello.
How Do You Store Jello Long Term?
For dry Jello, you can simply store dry Jello in the pantry. Moreover, you have to make sure that the dry Jello is not exposed to sunlight or moisture.
As for prepared Jello, you can leave prepared Jello on your shelf if you got it from the shelf of the store given that the temperature in your kitchen is cool.
However, if you got the prepared Jello in the store’s refrigerated area, you have to store the prepared Jello in your fridge as well.
If you are curious about learning if Jello is kosher, if Jello is pork, and what a Jello salad is, read our other articles.
Conclusion
Determining the shelf life of Jello depends on the form the Jello takes and how you store the Jello. Typically, it is the temperature change and exposure to moisture that causes Jello to spoil.
As long as you keep prepared Jello in an airtight container in your fridge, you can enjoy your Jello dessert for a little over a week.
Furthermore, while unopened Jello can last for years past the expiration date, it is still best to honor the expiration date to get the highest quality Jello.