GU - Shelf Life ?

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2010-10-03 11:12 AM

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Extreme Veteran
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Westchester, NY
Subject: GU - Shelf Life ?
I was going through some things recently and found some GUs ..

I was wondering, does this stuff have a shelf life ? is it OK to take one thats maybe a year old ?



2010-10-03 11:32 AM
in reply to: #3130334

Iron Donkey
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Subject: RE: GU - Shelf Life ?
From a different website -

"
Several things influence the life of a gel.
  1. Original packaging
    1. Foil barrier: GU Energy Gel has a foil barrier to keep oxygen out and water in. This lengthens its shelf life. Our "best by" date is 11 months from date of production.
    2. Out-of-date GU was used by the Yugoslav Olympic rowing team at Sydney and was found to produce the same energy levels as fresh GU. However, flavor does change with time. For the freshest taste, check the "best by" date.
    3. Plastic barriers: Plastic is porous. If an energy gel is sold in a plastic container, oxygen (an enemy of shelf life) gets into the product. Flavor will change, and the effectiveness of the ingredients will diminish.
"

  Being a year out, and assuming that the GU is in the original foil and hasn't been exposed to the sun nor has any perforation, then, it would have a "funny"/strange taste.  I would hesitate on trying it, myself.  It may still be okay, but, the taste will be quite different.
2010-10-03 12:02 PM
in reply to: #3130334

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Melon Presser
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Subject: RE: GU - Shelf Life ?
I've eaten gels (of several kinds ,but yes, most notably Gu) over a year past the stamped date. One of them had made it through an entire tropical triathlon, including the swim, in my back pocket.

It was fine. Didn't even taste funny.

The PowerBar gels over a year past date did taste funny, but I didn't otherwise notice any difference.
2010-10-03 1:30 PM
in reply to: #3130334

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Davenport, IA
Subject: RE: GU - Shelf Life ?
My roommate and I ended up with one of those reusable shopping bags full of GU that was from 05-06...it was completely fine...yeah, texture was a bit off, but it worked fine.
2010-10-03 7:14 PM
in reply to: #3130452

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Champion
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Southern Chicago Suburbs, IL
Subject: RE: GU - Shelf Life ?

Sprint_DA - 2010-10-03 1:30 PM My roommate and I ended up with one of those reusable shopping bags full of GU that was from 05-06...it was completely fine...yeah, texture was a bit off, but it worked fine.

Yep.  For this type of product, shelf life has nothing at all to do with if it will be "safe" to eat it.  It really has much more to do with the quality.  Texture.  Taste.  Vitamin levels are the same.  Etc.

Trust me.  I work in the food industry.

2010-10-03 8:42 PM
in reply to: #3130756

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Master
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Central Indiana
Subject: RE: GU - Shelf Life ?
crowny2 - 2010-10-03 8:14 PM

Sprint_DA - 2010-10-03 1:30 PM My roommate and I ended up with one of those reusable shopping bags full of GU that was from 05-06...it was completely fine...yeah, texture was a bit off, but it worked fine.

Yep.  For this type of product, shelf life has nothing at all to do with if it will be "safe" to eat it.  It really has much more to do with the quality.  Texture.  Taste.  Vitamin levels are the same.  Etc.

Trust me.  I work in the food industry.



+1

2010-10-04 2:23 AM
in reply to: #3130334

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Expert
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Fountain Hills, AZ
Subject: RE: GU - Shelf Life ?
I ate a four year old Cliff Bar earlier this year ... by accident .... I was a little freaked out afterwards, but ended up all good. No worries, I say ....
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