Does Protein Powder Expire?

Does protein powder expire? If you love to workout, but are also busy with life, you might have pondered this question with aging protein powder in your kitchen.

Sometimes you get carried away with the small doses that you forget to track the expiry date of your protein powder. Just when you remember to check, it’s already two weeks past the “use by” date. So what next?

Do you go ahead and make your delicious, muscle-building supplement shake, or toss it? What happens if consumed past the stamped expiry date?

Even more critical question; Are protein powders similar to milk, where you sniff-test to determine its effect on your gastrointestinal inner workings? We will briefly explore the protein powder’s expiry to understand this scenario better.

And last of all, does it have a diminishing effect as it nears or passes the expiration date?

Does Protein Powder’s Expiration Date Matter?

Not entirely. That’s because when stored in a dry environment within its packaging, it’s nearly impossible for microbes to start growing in the powder. In fact, the Food and Drug Agency (FDA) does not oblige supplement manufacturers to produce products’ expiry dates.

Nonetheless, many companies add a ‘best by’ tag on their supplements. The label only refers to a period during which the product will be at its best quality. It should not be mistaken for an expiry date.

Protein Powder: Shelf Life and Storage

An accelerated shelf test research found that whey protein powder has a shelf life of up to 12 months. Under normal conditions, 70°F (21°C) and 35% humidity, it can last up to 19 months. At the same time, brands that contain preservatives such as salt, maltodextrin, and lecithin have a shelf life of up to 2 years.

That means as long as you’re not storing your canisters in humid and warm places like a gym locker or bathroom, it’s not going to expire. With that said, there are a few more things to consider.