GummyTalk Forum

Hey everyone, need some advice. I bought these elderberry gummies a few weeks ago and they were fine at first, but now they've changed. Some have gotten kinda hard and crumbly, others have this white powdery stuff on them (sugar bloom maybe?), and a few are stuck together in a clump. They're not expired yet according to the date. Has anyone else had this happen? Are they still safe to take or should I toss them? Worried about wasting money but also don't want to risk getting sick.

Ugh, I've seen this before with my kids' vitamins! That white powder is definitely sugar bloom - happens when they get exposed to moisture or temperature changes. Honestly, I'd be cautious. If they're changing texture like that, who knows what else is breaking down? I always tell my family: when in doubt, throw it out. Not worth the risk, especially with elderberry which is supposed to support immunity. Maybe contact the manufacturer? But personally, I wouldn't eat them.

I fast intermittently and take supplements during my eating windows, so I've dealt with this. The hardening and sticking is usually from humidity - they absorb moisture then dry out. Sugar bloom is harmless, just crystallization. They're PROBABLY safe if not expired, but the texture might be unpleasant. I'd still use mine if it happened, but break them apart first. Maybe store your next batch with a silica gel packet to keep them dry?

As a granola parent, I'm all about natural products, but this is why I'm skeptical of gummies sometimes. The additives and sugars can cause these issues. That said, if they're just changing physically and not moldy or smelly, they're likely okay chemically - elderberry itself is stable. But consider: are they organic? Non-GMO? That might affect preservation. I'd probably compost them and switch to a more minimal brand next time. Our bodies deserve pure ingredients!