GummyTalk Forum

Hey everyone, hoping for some advice. I bought a bottle of probiotic gummies about 2 months ago and they were fine at first. I keep them in my kitchen cabinet (not near the stove or anything). Recently I noticed they’ve gotten a lot darker in color - like from a light orange to almost brownish. They also feel really hard and some are stuck together. They don’t smell weird or anything. Are these still safe to take? I don’t want to waste them but also don’t want to get sick. Thanks!

Oh no, that doesn’t sound good at all! I’m a mom and I give my kids probiotic gummies, so I’m super careful about this stuff. If they’ve changed color and texture, I wouldn’t risk it. Probiotics are live bacteria, right? If the gummies are degrading, the probiotics might be dead anyway, so you’re not getting the benefit. Plus, who knows what’s growing in there? Better safe than sorry - toss them and get a fresh bottle. Maybe check the expiration date too?

FloraFinn278 is partially correct about probiotic viability, but the color/texture change is likely just sugar bloom or moisture loss - common with gummies. The browning could be oxidation or caramelization of sugars. Hard texture = moisture migration. Sticking together = hygroscopic issues. Safety-wise, unless there’s visible mold or off odors, they’re probably not harmful, but efficacy is compromised. Heat, light, or humidity fluctuations in your cabinet could accelerate this. For optimal biohacking, store in cool, dark, airtight container. Personally, I’d discard and reassess storage protocols.

lol i’ve had this happen with my homemade gummies too! when i make them with gelatin and fruit juice, they sometimes get hard or sticky if i don’t coat them enough in cornstarch or if it’s humid. the color change might just be the natural ingredients oxidizing - like how apples turn brown. if they don’t smell funky, they’re probably fine to eat, but they might taste weird or be less effective. you could try soaking one in warm water to see if it softens back up? but tbh if you’re worried, just chuck em and maybe try making your own next time - it’s way cheaper and you control the ingredients!

Thanks for the replies everyone! I checked the expiration date and it’s still good for another 6 months, so that’s weird. No mold or weird smell. XenonX, my cabinet does get a bit warm sometimes from the afternoon sun, so maybe that’s it. IndigoIris540, I’m not brave enough to make my own yet haha. I think I’ll take the advice and just toss them to be safe. Appreciate the help!