Two rules cover almost everything: keep edibles in their original labelled packaging, and keep them somewhere cool that children, visitors and pets cannot reach. The first protects you from confusion later; the second protects everyone else.
Heat: what Malta does to edibles
| Product | Summer problem | Where to keep it |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate | Softens and blooms above roughly 25°C | Fridge in summer, cool cupboard otherwise |
| Gummies, jellies, belts | Stick together in heat, still fine to eat | Cool cupboard; fridge in August |
| Brownies, cookies, cakes | Dry out or go off faster | Sealed, fridge if keeping more than a few days |
Two places to avoid completely: a parked car, where the inside can pass 50°C in summer, and a sunny windowsill or balcony. Both will ruin chocolate within an afternoon.
Heat affects texture and shelf life more than it affects strength, so a softened gummy is a cosmetic problem. A melted-and-reset chocolate bar, though, no longer divides into the even squares you were relying on for portioning.
Why the original packaging matters
The pack is the only thing that carries the strength per piece, the number of pieces, the batch number and the warnings. Once an edible is loose in a drawer or a food container, it becomes an anonymous sweet — to you in three months' time, and to anyone else in the house right now.
If you must decant something, write the strength per piece and the date on the new container. Never store edibles in a packet that previously held ordinary sweets.
The household checklist
- High up or locked away, not in the fridge door or the snack cupboard.
- Separate from everyday food, especially anything children help themselves to.
- Original packaging, sealed, with the label readable.
- Tell any other adult in the house what they are and where they are.
- Put them away before guests arrive, not after.
- Think about pets — dogs in particular will eat an entire pack if they find one, and chocolate is separately toxic to them.
If someone eats one by accident
Keep the packaging, because the strength per piece and the number missing are the two things anyone helping will want to know.
- An adult who took more than they meant to: somewhere quiet and cool, water, company, and time. It passes.
- A child, or a pet: treat it as urgent. Call 112 or go to the emergency department at Mater Dei, and bring the packaging. For a pet, call your vet immediately.
- Anyone with chest pain, breathing difficulty, or who cannot be woken properly: call 112.
Be straightforward with medical staff about what was taken and how much. It changes what they do, and they are not there to judge you.
Travelling with edibles
Don't. Cannabis rules differ sharply between countries, including within the EU, and an edible in a bag at an airport is a problem you do not want. Keep them at home.
Before you buy more
Buying smaller pieces makes storage simpler: there is less to divide, less to decant and less left over. The strengths guide covers how per-piece amounts compare, and you can see what we stock in the edibles collection. All orders arrive in plain outer packaging with the products sealed inside.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep edibles in the fridge?
Yes, and in a Maltese summer it is the sensible place for chocolate and baked goods. Keep them sealed and clearly separate from food.
Does heat make edibles weaker?
Heat mostly affects texture and shelf life. The bigger practical problem is losing the even portions you were counting on.
How long do edibles last?
Follow the date on the pack. Gummies keep longest, baked goods are shortest.
What should I do if my dog eats one?
Call your vet straight away and bring the packaging. Do not wait to see what happens.
Can I take edibles abroad?
No. Rules differ by country and the risk is entirely yours.