What happens If you eat expired Kit-Kat? (+3 Tips)

In this article, we will answer the question “What happens If you eat expired Kit-Kat?” and discuss the risks of eating spoiled kit-kat, how to store kit-kat and how to know if kit-kat is spoiled.

What happens If you eat expired Kit-Kat?

If you eat expired kit-kat, it is more likely that nothing unusual happens, especially if the kit-kat has been kept unopened and stored under proper conditions. Most of the food items can be safely consumed after their expiration date when no signs of spoilage are noticeable (4).

Kit-kat, as well as other chocolates, is a shelf stable product and can be stored without the need of refrigeration for several months (5). However, as any other cocoa product, kit-kat does not have an indefinite shelf life and can spoil (1).

How to know if kit-kat is spoiled?

To know if kit-kat is spoiled, you should be able to identify the possible signs of spoilage. 

These are related to chemical changes of the chocolate ingredients over time, which include the cocoa fat recrystallization and sugar migration due to partial solubilization, especially due to temperature fluctuations. Some signs indicating that kit-kat has gone bad are (1,5):

Change in the color: a grayish appearance or gray-white spots on the chocolate surface or center indicate the recrystallization of the cocoa fat, which is called fat bloom, leading to an altered flavor and texture

Changes in the color can also be a result from sugar solubilization and migration inside the chocolate, which lead to discoloration, white color and quality loss

Generation of off-flavors and off-odors resembling “cardboard flavor” or rancidity are related to lipid oxidation, resulting from the action of oxygen and other factors 

Mold growth is possible, especially at high moisture storage conditions, and is noticeable by the formation of hyphae or spores on the surface 

What are the risks of eating spoiled kit-kat?

The risks of eating spoiled kit-kat are of having a foodborne disease. Although not common, many foodborne illnesses and food outbreaks were reported in the past related to the consumption of spoiled chocolate and cocoa products (1,2,3,5).

Poor storage conditions and poor handling can lead to food infections and, according to studies, chocolate products can be spoiled by contaminated cocoa or contaminated sugar, which can contain fungal spores or mycotoxins.  

Furthermore, the contamination of chocolate by Salmonella, Enterobacteriaceae and yeasts has been reported for chocolate.

The ingestion of contaminated chocolate can lead to foodborne diseases and cause symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps and flu-like symptoms, including fever (6).

What is the shelf life of a kit-kat?

The shelf life of kit-kat is, according to the manufacturers website, about 300 days, when stored in a cool dry place and kept away from heat (7).

This means, the shelf life is about 10 months at room temperature. However, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, chocolate can last 1 to 2 years when kept unopened and properly stored (8). 

How to store a kit-kat to prevent spoilage?

Keep the chocolate away from moisture, high temperature, temperature fluctuations, or unwanted odors. The temperature fluctuations and humidity will crystallize the sugar resulting in sugar bloom. It ruins the silky texture of the chocolate (1,9).

Can you freeze kit-kat?

Yes, you can freeze kit-kat, however, it is not recommended to freeze kit-kat or any chocolate, as freezing is a drastic temperature fluctuation that can accelerate the staling of the kit-kat (1).

Temperature fluctuations cause considerable quality reduction in chocolate products and should be avoided during the storage of chocolate.

Conclusion

In this article, we answered the question “What happens If you eat expired Kit-Kat?” and discuss the risks of eating spoiled kit-kat, how to store kit-kat and how to know if kit-kat is spoiled.

References

  1. Man, CM Dominic, and Adrian A. Jones, eds. Shelf life evaluation of foods. Glasgow: Blackie Academic & Professional, 1994.
  2. Werber, D., Dreesman, J., Feil, F. et al. International outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg due to German chocolate. BMC Infect Dis, 2005, 5, 7. 
  3. Beuchat, Larry R., et al. Low–Water Activity Foods: Increased Concern as Vehicles of Foodborne Pathogens. J food protect, 2013, 76, 150-172.
  4. Food Product dating. United States Department of Agriculture.
  5. Iacumin, L.; Pellegrini, M.; Colautti, A.; Orecchia, E.; Comi, G. Microbial Characterization of Retail Cocoa Powders and Chocolate Bars of Five Brands Sold in Italian Supermarkets. Foods, 2022, 11, 2753. 
  6. Food Poisoning Symptoms. Food Poisoning Symptoms | CDC.
  7. Nestle Professionals. Kitkat.
  8. Food keeper. United States Department of Agriculture.
  9. Van Laanen, P. Safe Home Food Storage. Texas University.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!