Does Bottled Water Go Bad?

Does water expire? When it comes to water, there are usually no questions asked. You know that it’s essential to daily life, that it hydrates you, helps your organs function, and boosts your energy levels. Drinking plenty of wateris important. But a question to consider when it comes to water in plastic bottles is this: does bottled water expire? Read on to learn more about the shelf life of bottled water, how long bottled water can last, the best way to store water, and what expiration dates on water really mean.

Does Bottled Water Go Bad Over Time?

In short, no, bottled water doesn’t “go bad.” In fact, the FDA doesn’t even require expiration dates on water bottles. Although water itself doesn’t expire, the bottle it comes in can expire, in a sense. Over time, when exposed to excessive heat, chemicals from the plastic bottle can begin to leak into the water it holds. And when you drink that water, chemicals like BPA can make their way into your system and may have severe health implications. That’s why it’s important to drink water from BPA-free bottles.

So, Why Do Bottles Have Expiration Dates—And Is It Safe To Drink Past That Date?

Remember how the FDA doesn’t require water bottle expiration dates? Well, some manufacturers still choose to include them. This isn’t so much for safety reasons—rather, they include the expiration date to ensure the best quality and identify the batch date. Drinking it before expiration can help you enjoy the best-tasting water.

What You Need To Know About Water Bottle Shelf Life

Because the FDA has determined bottled water is a packaged food with no limited shelf life, it is confusing to know how long does bottled water last?

 For best results, it is recommended to finish opened bottled water within 2 days of opening. Once exposed to air, the water is likely still good to drink but develops off-taste to some people.

 The packed bottled water is good to drink by the recommended manufacturer’s expiration or best by date.

If your water bottles don’t have expiration dates, a good rule of thumb is to drink them before they hit the two-year mark.

If you’re storing packed bottled water for longer periods of time, storing it properly may help make it safer to drink even after two years or even after the expiration date. Keep bottled water in cool and dry location away from direct sunlight

Does Alkaline Water Have A Different Shelf Life?

Water is alkaline when the pH level is more than 7; when less than seven, it is acidic. Alkaline bottled water is like regular bottled water, you can drink alkaline water without fear of it going bad, and it should maintain its pH level for up to 24 months if stored in normal conditions with the cap sealed.

The Best Way To Store Bottled Water

The way you store your water bottles matters. According to the CDC, the best way to store water in containers (like bottles or jugs) is to keep it in a place with a cool temperature, like 50-70° F. It should be kept from direct sunlight and never stored in places where toxic substances (think gasoline or pesticides) are present. If you plan on storing these for a long time, it is recommended to put the date on them, so you know how long they’ve been stored. In conclusion, drinking water can be enjoyed even after its “expiration date” in BPA-free plastic and even longer in aluminum. So, sip away!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can you keep bottled water?

According to the US Food and Drug Administration, bottled drinking water doesn't require an expiration date. We recommend to use the standard best practices and to consume the bottled water within 2 years from the date of manufactured.

Does bottled water last forever?
No, Bottles water can get contaminated by the toxicity of its container and depending on how it was stored. Direct sunlight can change the cv We highly recommend consuming during the 2 year of manufacturing date.

What is the shelf life of unopened bottled water?
Packed bottled water shelf life is by manufacturer mentioned expiration date or best by date. To avoid any consequential health ailment, it is best to consume the bottled water within 2 years from the date of manufacture.

What happens if you drink expired water?
If the water is unopened bottle most likely the water is consumable. Storage and conditions can vary, we recommend to drink water before best of date.