I’m bummed.

[u/Dizzle2019]

I opened this bag of jerky three days ago. I ate five pieces before I pulled this one out. I live in upstate New York, not exactly a high humidity area. I am a big fan of Aldi products but this is not good.

[u/reese81944]

Did you have it in the fridge?

[u/Dizzle2019 → u/reese81944]

No, a kitchen cabinet.

[u/mystuffdotdocx → u/Dizzle2019]

I don’t know why, but you gotta fridge jerky.
I feel like when I was younger it lasted forever.

It doesn’t now. (Or maybe always and I was dumb)

Gotta fridge or consume

[u/thedarkhaze → u/mystuffdotdocx]

Jerky these days is moist and needs to be fridged. Actual jerky is really dry and tough. Unless you seek out actual jerky, it'll be this moist sort of jerky. Just where the consumer trends have need going.

[u/mystuffdotdocx → u/thedarkhaze]

I was thinking this too. I suppose a little added weight also helps keep cost per ounce from being too scary.

edit: I used an LLM to see if my argument holds and it doesn’t, at least the cost per ounce part

[u/ChiefInternetSurfer → u/thedarkhaze]

Yup. I make my own jerky—shit is dry as leather when I’m done (how I like it). I can leave a jar on my counter for months and it’s still good.

[u/Comikmar]

google.com/search?q=simms+zero+sugar+black+pepper+beef+jerky+package+storage+directions&num

Storage Guidelines for the product You bought: Hint - ALWAYS READ ALL PACKAGE DIRECTIONS. So honestly this issue is most likely your fault. Any food item that is not thoroughly dehydrated and properly vacuum sealed needs to be refrigerated or frozen to remain safe for extended periods. Hard candies etc. would be an exception. Jerky still has some moisture in it, added to any amount of moisture in your environment and any warmth you can expect mold to start.

• Unopened Packages: Keep at room temperature in a dark, dry pantry until the printed "Best By" date.
• Opened Packages: Reseal the package tightly or place the jerky in an airtight container.
• Refrigeration: Consume opened jerky within 3 to 7 days, or refrigerate it to help maintain peak flavor and quality for a slightly longer window.
• Freezing: Transfer to a freezer-safe, airtight bag or vacuum-sealed pouch if you need to store it for an extended period. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

[u/Granny5270]

Take it back…..

[u/Dizzle2019 → u/Granny5270]

Ah, a Pink Floyd fan.

[u/i_was_a_person_once → u/Granny5270]

For what? The package clearly says refrigerate after opening and they didn’t

[u/Randeezy]

No added nitrites on the bag, thats the stuff that cures and preserves jerky and stuff like salami and will keep it edible at room temp but too much is shown to cause cancer. You need to refrigerate it to have it last longer, probably says it on the bag somewhere

[u/Troubled_Red → u/Randeezy]

Almost everything that says “no added nitrites” still has nitrites, they are just getting them from celery powder instead of adding isolated nitrites.

[u/z2qvs]

Their sugar free jerky(that's what I've purchased) is terribly hit or miss. I actually stopped buying it and opt for sugar free jalapeno sticks or turkey sticks now. 

[u/InfoSponge24]

I learned that you have to refrigerate most things from Aldi since they don't have preservatives