Expiration Dates – How long is too long?

We all have expired vitamin bottles in our medicine cabinets. Some we take daily, while others are taken on a more infrequent basis.  So what happens if your vitamins expire… are they still good?

Vitamins in general should be stable for up to five years if stored properly: however, there are some exceptions.  Water-soluble substances (vitamin C, B-complex vitamins) are susceptible to a process called deliquescence, in which humidity causes some compounds to break down.

As vitamins begin to degraded – whether from oxidation, exposure to humidity, light, air, or heat, they are safe to consume but will have lost their effectiveness.  Some manufacturers may increase the vitamins strength by adding up to 40% more than what’s stated on the label, so that the vitamins are at 100 per cent strength at the time of expiration.

Signs of vitamins past their expiry dates vary: look for changes in color, physical appearance, taste, or smell.

So how should we store vitamins to maximize their potency over time? Keep your vitamins in a cool, dry place, away from heat and light, and make sure they are sealed in an air-tight container, and always follow storage directions on the label.  Also, don’t remove the little silica gel packet, it helps remove moisture from inside the bottle.

 Do not keep your vitamins in your bathrooms and kitchens, because of the humidity and temperature changes.

Refrigerators, can be a good option for those vitamins that you consume once in a while; however, vitamins that you consume on a daily schedule will breakdown quickly because of the frequent opening and closing  of the container; which can cause condensation and expose the vitamins to moisture.

Pressed tablets, such as aspirin, are more porous and allow a greater influx of oxygen once the bottle has been opened and will alter the supplements chemistry, limiting their effectiveness. Try purchasing encapsulated or coated vitamins.

The biggest factor that determines shelf life is product quality.  Look for supplements that have high amounts of essential material and low levels of nonessential material. The supplements must be packaged in opaque and secure containers in a sterile, dust-free, dehumidified environment.

Products if stored properly in unopened bottles should last at least two years before any loss of potency occurs.