Gel pack shelf-life?

[dave t]

I'm not a big gell user but I have an "emergency" pack that has been around for quite awhile.
I'm wondering if they go bad or are they good for pretty much as long as they remain sealed?

I would hate to turn a potential bonking into a nice case of food poisoning.

[2BOutside]

all the ones I've ever bought (mostly Clif Shots, some Gu and Powergels), all have expiration dates printed on them.... not always the easiest to read, but usually somewhere.... most of them in my experience have expired 1-2 yrs. after purchase....

but unless your has dairy in it, it's probably good for at least a little while after the printed date....

[stoneage]

Gel pack shelf-life
I believe it falls between Kraft individual cheese slices and Armour hot dogs, which would place it in the middle of the 23rd century, give or take 50 years.
;)

[Paul Swenson]

At $1.50 per gel I think if there's any question about its shelf life you might as well replace it.

I've been liking the Honey flavored Stinger gels. They taste like real food instead of processed crap.

BTW the oldest edible food ever found was 2000 year old honey discovered in Egypt.

[stoneage]

Stinger gels
Yep, they are good.
2000 year old honey
Wow, you really know your honey!

[dave t]

At $1.50 per gel I think if there's any question about its shelf life you might as well replace it.
I don't really intend to replace it. It was just a hand out from John after trail work and I have just kept it in the pack since "just in case". If it does have the half life of a hot dog, I'll leave it there. I'll check closer for a exp. date code and if it is reverting to the chemicals from which it came, out it goes.

[TML]

Sugars have a pretty stable shelf life. I agree with Bill in that they would be harmless almost indefinitely. Though I don't make a habit of it, I've eaten one that had been stored for a couple of years and it was just fine.