GummyTalk Forum

Hey everyone, hoping for some advice. I bought a bottle of magnesium gummies about a month ago and they've been sitting in my kitchen cabinet. I went to take one today and noticed they've all kinda stuck together in a clump, and some have these white spots on them (looks like sugar maybe?). They also feel a bit harder than when I first opened them. Are these still safe to eat or should I toss them? I really don't want to waste them if they're fine.

Oh man, I feel you on not wanting to waste stuff. As a parent of two toddlers, I'm all about maximizing value. I've had this happen with my kids' vitamin gummies too - they get that white film or stick together if it's humid. Usually it's just sugar bloom from moisture changes. They're PROBABLY safe, but honestly? If you're taking them for sleep or stress (like I do with magnesium), you don't want to be worrying about whether your supplement is sketchy while trying to unwind. I'd say if they don't smell off and it's only been a month, they're likely fine, but maybe keep them in a drier spot next time.

That's classic sugar crystallization! I see it all the time when I'm making candies or preserves. The moisture in the gummies migrates to the surface, dissolves some sugar, then evaporates leaving the crystals behind (the white spots). The hardening and sticking happens for similar reasons - moisture loss or absorption depending on your storage conditions. From a food safety perspective, as long as there's no mold (fuzzy growth, not just white spots) and they were stored properly sealed, they should be microbiologically safe. Texture might be unpleasant though. Pro tip: silica gel packets in the bottle can help prevent this!

Ugh, texture is everything with gummies though! If they're hard and clumped, the experience is ruined even if they're technically safe. I'm super picky about my supplement gummies tasting good - what's the point if it feels like chewing on stale candy? I had a batch of berry-flavored magnesium gummies do this once and they tasted weirdly chalky after. I tossed them. Maybe try one and see if the flavor/texture is off? But if you're sensitive to textures like I am, might not be worth it even if they won't make you sick.

Analyzing this biohacker-style: The magnesium compound itself (likely citrate or glycinate) is stable. Degradation isn't your concern here - it's excipient issues. The sugar bloom and texture changes indicate poor excipient stability or suboptimal storage conditions (temperature/humidity fluctuations). While likely safe consumption-wise, the altered physical form could affect dissolution and bioavailability. If the matrix has hardened significantly, your body might not absorb the magnesium as efficiently. For optimal results, I'd recommend a fresh bottle and store in cool, dark, dry place with desiccant. Track your storage conditions - data is key!