Do Pop Tarts Expire?

Pop Tarts are hugely popular snacks in America. Not many folks know about the hidden health risks in this tasty treat, mostly because stores and adults don’t share much info about them.

What is the shelf life of Pop Tarts?

The official shelf life on most brands of Pop Tarts is four years.

However, many companies like Kellogg’s have extended this to five years for some varieties.

In some extreme cases, manufacturers will specify that certain flavors should not be eaten after a specific date.

For example, in 2016, the FDA warned consumers about Pop Tarts made by Keebler due to concerns over food safety and product quality.

The Kellogg’s version of these Pop Tarts was also recalled because of the same reason.

At the end of 2020, the FDA advised consumers to throw away any Pop Tarts that were purchased before September 2020, even though they are otherwise fine to eat.

This comes after reports of a strain of Salmonella linked to Kellogg’s products.

Do Pop Tarts go bad?

No, Pop Tarts do not go bad.

In fact, they taste better when they’re just past their expiration dates.

However, there are a few instances where eating a Pop Tart with an expired date could pose a health risk to some people.

For example, the bacteria E. coli O157:H7 can grow in certain types of bread, and it can spread through unwashed hands.

Since Pop Tarts are baked at very high temperatures, they may become contaminated by E. coli during the baking process.

And while E. coli might not seem like much of a threat, it can cause severe diarrhea, dehydration, and even kidney failure.

Another common concern is that products made with genetically modified ingredients may not be safe to eat.

According to a study conducted by Consumer Reports, more than 30 percent of all American grocery store cookies contain GM ingredients.

These include Oreos, Chips Ahoy!, Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers, and Brach’s Nutri-Grain.

Genetically modified foods are engineered using techniques such as genetic engineering, cell culture, and tissue culture.

They can be created to withstand higher temperatures, resist pest attacks, and produce more nutritious food.

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How long do Pop Tarts last?

Pop Tarts are designed to keep fresh for up to four years, but they don’t last forever.

Once they reach their expiration date, they no longer provide any nutritional value and may become less palatable.

According to the FDA, foods must remain unopened until the expiration date is reached.

That means that once a package is opened, the contents lose their potency.

Because Pop Tarts are baked into a hard cookie shell, they’ll likely stay edible for about two months after opening.

When do Pop Tarts expire?

Most Pop Tarts are labeled with a “sell by” date that indicates a time limit for when the product should not be consumed.

Most of these dates fall between three and eight weeks after purchase.

However, Pop Tarts made by Keebler are marked with an expiration date.

While these products are usually sold in sealed packages, they can be opened if necessary.

And according to the FDA, Keebler’s Pop Tarts should only be used within two weeks of opening them.

After that point, they’re considered unsafe to eat.

Are Pop Tarts still good after the expiration date?

Yes, Pop Tarts are perfectly safe to eat after their expiration dates.

In fact, many people enjoy them even later than that! While they won’t have the exact same flavor, they’ll still taste pretty good.

After you open a packaged Pop Tart, it’s best to discard it in your trash immediately.

If you buy them in bulk, consider storing them in an airtight container so they don’t get stale.

If you’re concerned about food safety, you can always freeze them to extend their shelf life.

Just wrap each Pop Tart individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag.

You can use frozen Pop Tarts instead of fresh ones in recipes, too.

What happens if you eat an expired Pop Tart?

Eating a Pop Tart that goes bad is not harmful if you follow proper storage instructions.

But if you’ve already opened a package of Pop Tarts that are close to expiring, you’ll want to toss them as soon as possible.

This is particularly true if the Pop Tart packaging looks damaged.

Even if you haven’t eaten it yet, avoid touching the packaging.

It may not look clean, and it’s easy to contaminate it with germs.

Once you’ve removed the Pop Tart from its wrapper, wash your hands right away.

Then, cut off the top of the package along the seal line.

Discard the crusty piece inside, then put the rest of the pastry back together.

Finally, take care not to touch the exposed edges of the package.

Keep the entire package in a cool, dry place so it doesn’t spoil further.

You may notice that the Pop Tart does not look quite as delicious as when it first came out of the oven.

That’s because it lost its moisture content as it sat around for a few days.

As a result, the dough inside will feel drier and harder to bite into.

If you find yourself eating a Pop Tart that’s close to expiring, you can try recreating it by substituting other ingredients.

Instead of butter, substitute applesauce for a healthier alternative.

Or, try sprinkling powdered sugar on top of the tart to give it a sweet kick.

Is it safe to eat Pop Tarts that have expired?

It depends.

Since Pop Tarts aren’t refrigerated, you’ll need to make sure they’re kept properly throughout their shelf life in order to preserve their quality.

But if your Pop Tarts are close to expiring, you should toss them as soon as possible.

Even though they probably won’t taste as good as fresh ones, you can bake them again or freeze them if you’d rather save them for another day.

However, you shouldn’t eat Pop Tarts that have no expiration date whatsoever.

Can you get food poisoning from Pop Tarts?

While the risk of food poisoning is low, it exists.

Food poisoning is caused by ingesting toxins from food that contains pathogens or contaminants.

These substances can enter our body when we eat foods that are infected by microorganisms.

Food poisoning often occurs when we consume raw or undercooked meats, eggs, seafood, poultry, unpasteurized milk, dairy products, or vegetables.

Other sources of contamination include water, soil, and insects.

Pop Tarts contain wheat flour, eggs, sugar, shortening, salt, and flavoring.

Because of this, they’re a great source of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Some people who suffer from celiac disease, which involves inflammation of the small intestine, cannot safely consume gluten.

Wheat is a major component of gluten, so consuming Pop Tarts containing wheat flour puts these individuals at risk of developing celiac disease.

A person who eats Pop Tarts daily without knowing about the risks associated with consuming them should not have any adverse reactions to them.

But if you’re sensitive to gluten, you should consult your doctor before trying Pop Tarts.

They may be able to help you adjust your diet to accommodate your needs.

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