Can I eat expired Altoids?
Altoids are a truly funny breath mint because people are almost obsessed with them, or they can’t stand them. Most of that comes down to the “curiously strong” peppermint flavor that Altoids are famous for delivering.
I have one friend that describes Altoids as the ultimate sinus cleanser and another one that thinks they burn holes in her tongue every time she tries one.
Either way, you may have come across a tin full of Altoids that no you could no longer read the expiration date or that are way past date. Are they still good to eat? Let’s find out!
How long do unopened Altoids last?
According to Mars Wrigley the maker of Altoids, every container of Altoids is marked with a “use by” date of exactly 1 year from the date it is manufactured. In fact, all products made by Mars Wrigley all are marked with a 1-year date.
They note on the Altoids website, that the shelf life of Altoids can vary. So, this brings up lots of questions about why a shelf life would vary. Like most foods, it is going to be all about how the Altoids are stored.
Sealed containers of Altoids that are unopened can last for years past their expiration date as long as they are stored well. This means that they need to be stored in a dry location and preferably out of direct sunlight.
Altoids in a cabinet or drawer will last longer than a pack left on the dash of a car with high temperature and direct sunlight shining on them for a long period of time.
How long do Altoids stay good for?
If your purchased Altoids mints have been opened, they are still good past the expiration date as long as they have not gotten wet or absorbed moisture.
Since Altoids are basically packed sugar that is flavored with peppermint oil, they have a very low level of natural moisture. Altoids can absorb moisture in the air though similar to baking soda.
As the mints absorbs moisture you may notice that they get sticky or start to crumble. The combination of high temperature and moisture can turn pressed mints into a tin of dust and crumbles over time.
How can you tell if Altoids are bad?
Most expired food just needs a sniff test to see if it has truly gone bad. Unfortunately, that is not a good way to test Altoids.
The strong peppermint oil that is added to Altoids for flavorings is actually “curiously strong” to start out with. A true Altoids fanatic may notice a slight decrease in scent over time, but the average person will not be able to notice any difference in smell.
The number one sign of a bad mint is actually going to be texture and then followed by taste. The texture of a bad Altoid will be very dry and crumbling, or wet and sticky.
Altoids in good condition have a solid round shape and a smooth texture. If yours can be best described as dry, crumbling, grainy, wet, or sticky to the touch it is best to go ahead and throw them out.
Whenever an oil is added for flavoring, there is always a chance that oil can go rancid. Peppermint oil does not contain fat like other oils, so it is not as likely to go rancid over time.
On the rare case that your Altoid has gone rancid, the taste would definitely be off. Thankfully most people are not likely to continue eating a bad tasting mint, so the odds of getting sick are extremely unlikely.
If your Altoid does taste off in any way, spit it out, and rinse your mouth with water. Altoids are mainly sugar so the mint would still taste sweet, it would just have a muskiness to it or a bad aftertaste.
Can Altoids grow mold?
Due to the low natural moisture level that is present in Altoids, it is highly unlikely that they will grow mold. Technically sugar can grow mold, but it is usually only when sugar is mixed with something else that has moisture.
Now if Altoids are mixed with an organic substance like damp soil or an apple peel, they can grow mold due to exposure. To be safe, always store Altoids away from fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and keep them out of the refrigerator.
What happens if you eat expired Altoids?
In all seriousness, if you were to eat an expired Altoid, most likely nothing will happen. The reason is if you look at the basic ingredient which is sugar, and sugar is extremely shelf stable and long lasting.
Sugar does not require refrigeration or special temperatures; it just requires storage away from moisture.
Worst case scenario, your Altoid won’t taste as curiously strong as it would have during the height of its freshness. The average person would probably never notice a taste difference.
As long as your Altoids are stored where they don’t have exposure to moisture or organic matter, then they can be easily eaten for 2-4 years after the “use by” date.
A “Fun Fact” to remember about Altoids, is that the tin they come in is not waterproof. If you were to walk through the rain with Altoids in your pocket, the tin will most likely keep them safe. If you jump in a pool with Altoids in your pocket, the tin will not protect the mints and they will be soaked.
For more information about expired foods, check out “Does Nesquik expire? (Milk, Powder, & Syrup)” and “What happens if you eat an expired Slim Jim?“
