Quick Answer
Hershey Kisses can usually be eaten past their “best by” date stamped on the package. However, eating very old, expired candy can pose some risks. Use your judgement on the look, smell, and taste of the Hershey Kisses to determine if they’re still fresh enough to enjoy. Discard any that seem dried out, crumbly, moldy, or rancid.
Explaining Shelf Life of Hershey Kisses
Hershey Kisses and other chocolate candies typically have a shelf life of around 9-12 months when stored properly in cool, dry conditions. The “best by” date indicates when the manufacturer believes the optimal quality and freshness will start to decline. It doesn’t necessarily mean the candy will be unsafe to eat after that date.
Chocolate products can last 1-2 years past their printed date before going completely bad, though the texture and taste will slowly degrade over time. Dark chocolate lasts longer than milk chocolate since the dairy tends to spoil more quickly. Here are some signs that Hershey Kisses could be too old to enjoy:
- Dried out, crumbly, or chalky texture
- White powdery patches or dots (sugar/fat bloom)
- Dull, faded chocolate color
- Cardboard-like flavor instead of sweet and chocolately
- Rancid or sour milk odor
- Mold growth
If you see any of these characteristics, it’s best to throw out the Hershey Kisses. Eating expired chocolate that tastes stale or rancid won’t make you sick in most cases, but it won’t be an enjoyable experience.
Safety Risks of Eating Old Chocolate
Consuming very old, long-expired chocolate does come with some health hazards to be aware of:
- Rancidity – Fats in chocolate can oxidize into free fatty acids over time, producing a rancid taste and smell.
- Mold – Chocolate can develop mold growth, which can cause allergic reactions or respiratory irritation.
- Degraded ingredients – Vitamins and nutrients in milk chocolate degrade over time. But this isn’t a big concern for the limited amounts consumed.
In general, these risks are quite low for chocolate that’s just past its prime freshness. But extreme age or improper storage raises concerns. If you see any mold, discoloration, or nasty odors, don’t take a chance!
Maximizing Shelf Life of Hershey Kisses
To help your Hershey Kisses last as long as possible:
- Store unopened packages in a cool, dry pantry away from heat and sunlight.
- Once opened, keep in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge.
- Buy smaller packaging if you won’t eat them quickly.
- Watch for signs of bloom, drying, mold, etc. and discard at first signs.
- Trust your senses! Don’t eat any that smell or taste rancid.
With proper storage, most Hershey Kisses should retain good quality and delicious chocolate flavor for at least 6-9 months past the printed date. But use caution and common sense when eating very old, potentially spoiled candy.
Summary
Hershey Kisses and other milk chocolate products have a typical shelf life of about 1 year when stored properly. Eating them a few months past the “best by” date is generally safe, though freshness declines over time. Discard any chocolate that appears dried out, moldy, or rancid for safety and quality. With appropriate storage and sensory checks, most unopened Hershey Kisses can be enjoyed for many months past their printed date stamp. Trust your eyes, nose and taste buds to determine if those old Kisses are still good enough to eat!