Ethan Clarke
Water itself doesn't expire, but bottled water usually has an expiration date, typically two years after bottling. This is because the plastic bottles can begin to leach chemicals into the water, which can negatively affect your health. The expiration date is a guess as to when the water bottle is most likely to have been exposed to heat or has started to degrade. Heat speeds up the breakdown of plastic, so it's important to store bottled water in a cool, dark, and dry place, out of direct sunlight and away from chemicals. Drinking expired bottled water is rarely harmful, but it can be an unpleasant experience, and it may be contaminated with microbes, causing side effects such as nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic cups longevity | 1 to 2 years |
| Plastic cups longevity factors | Storage conditions, exposure to heat or UV rays |
| Plastic cups reuse | Not designed for reuse |
| Bottled water expiration | Water rarely expires, but the packaging does |
| Bottled water expiration factors | Brand, storage conditions, exposure to heat or sunlight |
| Bottled water expiration taste | Stale, musty, moldy, marshy, sour, rancid, chemical |
| Bottled water expiration health risks | Nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, intestinal damage, sickness |
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What You'll Learn
Bottled water expiration dates
It is important to note that water itself does not expire. However, bottled water usually has an expiration date, which is more of a best-before date, suggesting when the water should be consumed by to ensure optimal taste and quality. The exact shelf life depends on the brand, varying from a few months to two years. For instance, a Fiji bottle can last two years, while Nestle Pure Life bottles have a shelf life of only three months.
The expiration date on bottled water is not indicative of the water's quality, but rather of the potential presence of leached chemicals from the plastic bottle, which can negatively impact your health and affect the taste of the water. Plastic bottles are slightly permeable, meaning air molecules can enter and exit the bottle. As a result, if bottled water is stored near household cleaning supplies, the vapours from these chemicals could enter the bottle and alter its flavour. Additionally, the plastic itself can begin to leach into the water, contaminating it with toxic chemicals such as antimony and bisphenol A (BPA). This process is accelerated when bottled water is exposed to excessive heat or sunlight, which can cause the plastic to degrade and affect the taste of the water.
While bottled water companies employ rigorous sanitary processes, accidents can occur, and water can become contaminated with microorganisms like viruses, yeasts, moulds, and bacteria. This can happen during the packaging or transportation process. Drinking expired water may be safe in rare cases, but it can also make you sick in some instances. Water contaminated with microbes might taste musty, mouldy, rancid, or sour, and could result in symptoms like nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
To ensure the safety and quality of bottled water, it is recommended to store it in a cool, dark place, away from household cleaning supplies and chemicals. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggests that unopened commercial bottled water can be stored indefinitely, it is still important to consider the potential impact of plastic degradation and contamination over time.
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Plastic leaching into water
Although water itself does not expire, bottled water often has an expiration date. Expiration dates on bottled water are meant to indicate when leached chemicals will begin to affect the water's taste. However, these dates do not account for the level of toxic microplastics in the water.
Plastic can begin to leach into bottled water over time, contaminating it with chemicals such as antimony and bisphenol A (BPA). This process of leaching is facilitated by heat, with hotter temperatures causing more chemicals to be released from the plastic polymer into the water. The type of chemicals released depends on the type of bottle. Polycarbonate reusable plastic water bottles, for example, are made of bisphenol A, which has been linked to a range of adverse health effects, including functioning as a hormone mimic and an "obesogen" in animal studies. Similarly, polyethylene terephthalate, commonly used for single-use disposable plastic bottles, is known to leach antimony, a harmful metal that can cause lung, heart, and stomach problems.
Research has shown that plastic products can leach hundreds, or even thousands, of chemicals into water under natural conditions. These chemicals can have potentially toxic effects, such as oxidative stress, which is associated with cell damage, inflammation, and chronic disease. Additionally, some plastic products leached antiandrogens, which can affect men's fertility, while others released oestrogens that can impact fertility in both women and men.
While the amount of chemicals leached into the water varies depending on the type of plastic, a single plastic product could release anywhere from 1 to 88 percent of the assorted chemicals it contains. The toxicity of many of these chemicals is currently unknown, but the potential health impacts of consuming water contaminated with these substances are a cause for concern among scientists.
To minimize the risk of plastic leaching into bottled water, it is important to store the bottles properly. This includes keeping them in a cool place out of direct sunlight and away from household cleaning supplies and chemicals. Additionally, it is recommended to avoid putting plastic bottles in the dishwasher, as the washing process can wear down the plastic and increase leaching.
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Health effects of drinking expired water
Water itself doesn't expire, but bottled water usually has an expiration date. This date indicates when chemicals from the bottle might start affecting the water's taste, but it doesn't necessarily mean that the water is unsafe to drink. Bottled water can have varying shelf lives depending on the brand, and it's legal in the US to sell expired water. The FDA maintains that bottled water can last indefinitely if stored correctly. However, improperly stored water can not only taste funky but also grow toxic or contaminated over time.
The key is to avoid temperature fluctuations, as heat speeds up the breakdown of plastic. Ideally, unopened bottled water kept in optimal conditions should remain safe to drink for up to five years, though it may develop a slightly off taste due to the packaging. While the water may still be safe to drink after years of storage, it's always best to check for signs of contamination before consuming. If the bottle looks cloudy, the seal is broken, or the water smells off, it's best to discard it.
In rare cases, the unpleasant taste in expired water could be due to microbial contamination. Although bottled water companies use strict sanitation processes, accidents can happen. Contaminated water might taste musty, moldy, marshy, sour, or rancid, and it could make you sick depending on the microbes present. For example, in April 2016, some business offices in Spain received bottled spring water contaminated with norovirus, and over 4,000 people developed gastroenteritis symptoms like vomiting and fever.
Additionally, the type of plastic used for packaging bottled water significantly impacts its shelf life. Plastic, particularly PET (polyethylene terephthalate), is the most common material used for bottled water packaging. PET bottles can release more chemicals than other types of plastic, and the amount of chemical release depends on the type of bottle. For instance, PET bottles can release larger amounts of antimony, a chemical that can cause stomach and intestinal damage.
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Microbial contamination
Drinking expired plastic water bottles can lead to microbial contamination. This is rare, but it can happen. Bottled water companies use strict sanitation processes, but accidents can occur during the packaging or transportation of the water. For example, in April 2016, some business offices in Spain received bottled spring water contaminated with norovirus, which affected over 4,000 people with symptoms such as vomiting and fever.
The taste of the water is an indicator of its safety. If the water has an odd taste or odour, it should be boiled before drinking or discarded. Boiling the water for one minute can kill off most pathogens. However, if the bottle has visible signs of contamination, such as cloudiness or a broken seal, it is best to discard it.
The risk of microbial contamination can be reduced by storing bottled water properly. Bottled water should be kept in a stable, cool, dark environment, minimizing temperature fluctuations, and avoiding exposure to heat, sunlight, or household solvents. These storage conditions will help prevent the growth of bacteria and reduce the release of harmful plastic chemicals into the water.
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Proper storage of bottled water
While bottled water can be stored for extended periods, it's important to practice proper storage to maintain its quality and prevent contamination. Here are some detailed guidelines for the proper storage of bottled water:
Store in a Cool, Dark Place
Avoid storing bottled water in direct sunlight or near heat sources. Algae or mold may develop in the water when exposed to prolonged periods of sunlight or heat. Keep the water in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry or basement, to maintain its freshness and quality.
Keep Away from Solvents and Chemicals
Plastic bottles are slightly permeable, allowing air molecules to move in and out. Vapors from household solvents, paints, fuels, or cleaning supplies can seep into the water, altering its taste and potentially contaminating it. Store your bottled water away from these substances to prevent any unwanted flavors or odors from affecting your water.
Practice Proper Rotation
When purchasing bottled water, check the expiration dates and consume the water before the specified date. While the water may still be safe to drink after the expiration date, the taste may be affected, and the risk of contamination increases over time. Rotate your water supply regularly, using older bottles first to minimize the chance of drinking expired water.
Sanitize Storage Containers
If you're storing water in reusable containers, ensure they are thoroughly sanitized before use. Wash the containers with soap and water, then rinse them. Prepare a sanitizing solution by mixing unscented liquid household chlorine bleach with water. Cover the container and shake well to ensure the solution coats all inner surfaces. After 30 seconds, pour out the solution, and let the container air-dry. This process will help eliminate any potential contaminants and ensure your stored water remains safe for consumption.
Store an Adequate Emergency Supply
It is always a good idea to have an emergency supply of water readily available. The CDC recommends storing at least one gallon of water per person per day for several days. Unopened, commercially bottled water is the safest and most reliable source of water during emergencies. Ensure you regularly replace your stored water every six months to maintain its freshness and quality.
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Frequently asked questions
The water in expired plastic bottles can be contaminated with chemicals from the plastic, such as antimony and bisphenol A (BPA). While the water itself does not expire, the plastic bottle degrades over time, impacting the taste and quality of the water. Consuming water from expired plastic bottles can potentially cause health issues, such as harming gut health, immunity, and respiratory function.
Heat exposure, sunlight, and improper storage conditions can accelerate the degradation of plastic bottles and the leaching of chemicals into the water. It is important to store plastic bottles in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
Bottled water expiration dates can vary from a few months to two years or more. The exact shelf life depends on the brand and the storage conditions. While the water may remain safe to drink beyond the expiration date, it is recommended to follow the printed guidelines for optimal taste and quality.
Yes, there are potential health risks involved with drinking water from expired plastic bottles. The leached chemicals from the plastic can accumulate in the body and potentially affect gut health, immunity, and respiratory function. It is important to be vigilant for any unusual signs in the water, such as an odour, metallic taste, froth, or discolouration.
Yes, one alternative is to use glass bottles instead of plastic. Glass bottles are less likely to leach chemicals into the water and are a more environmentally friendly option. Another option is to use reusable bottles made from materials such as stainless steel or BPA-free plastic, which are designed for long-term use and reduce waste.
