Does protein powder expire? It isn’t always easy to use up protein powder before it reaches the best-by date printed on the package. If you have powder that’s past its use-by date, can you keep using it, or should you throw it away?
The dates you see on protein powder aren’t actually expiration dates. Virtually all products deteriorate over time. When a product goes over its “best-by” date, the product may no longer be at its highest level of quality.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that protein powder can’t expire. When properly stored, protein powder tends to have a very long shelf life, but virtually all products contain ingredients that can eventually spoil. Protein powder can remain usable for a long time because of the preservatives most products contain.
Some of the additives that help to keep protein powder from expiring include lecithin and maltodextrin. If the product you’re using doesn’t contain any of these ingredients, it could go bad more quickly. On average, the shelf life of protein powder can be anywhere from nine to nineteen months.
Can you use expired protein powder?
When people ask questions like “does protein powder expire?” they’re often concerned about potential safety risks. If you continue using protein powder that’s recently passed the use-by date has passed, it’s unlikely that you’ll experience any issues.
Since it’s a dry powder, none of the ingredients in the product should spoil quickly. Most products can be used for weeks or even months after that date.
With that said, if a product is very old, or if something seems off about the product, it’s best to avoid using it. If any of the ingredients in the product have gone rancid, or if bacteria or mold have started to develop, the product could likely leave you feeling ill.
If you do experience serious health symptoms after consuming expired protein powder, such as a fever, diarrhea, or shortness of breath, contact your doctor immediately. They can let you know if you need medical attention.
And if you need to use it up quickly, try making these Protein Brownies! They taste just like regular brownies and are SO gooey.
What can cause protein powder to go bad?
Some ingredients found in protein powder can spoil more quickly than others. As an example, a protein powder that contains dairy ingredients like whey or casein might have a shorter shelf life than a vegan protein powder.
However, protein powder is more likely to go bad because of substances that aren’t actually in the product.
If water gets into the container, or if the product is exposed to high temperatures or humidity, the product could go rancid even if it hasn’t reached the sell-by date. Not only can moisture create an ideal home for mold, but it can also cause the fat in the product to spoil.
Another factor that could cause issues is something called Maillard browning. This is a process that occurs when lysine, an amino acid found in protein powder, breaks down. The sugar in the powder can react with the protein, causing spoilage.
It’s also possible for protein powder to go bad after it’s been added to your glass. Once you mix your powder with a liquid, it’s best to consume it within 48 hours. Keep in mind that if the mixture sits out in a warm environment, it could go bad in just a few hours. So definitely keep it refrigerated!
How do you know if protein powder is still good?
It’s pretty easy to tell if your protein powder is bad. Powders that are egg or milk-based will have a rank odor. If the powder is dry, smells funky, and doesn’t look as it did when you first bought it, you can give it a quick taste. If it tastes yucky like cardboard, then throw it out.
The smell can be a dead giveaway. You might see wet clumps meaning moisture has gotten inside the container. These are good indications that you need a fresh batch.
Also, it may taste bitter or you might notice a color change. These are clear indications that it’s time to toss out the old and bring in the new.
As long as your protein powder has been stored properly, it will almost always be good beyond the printed sell-by date. The more time passes, the more likely there will be an issue. Even if the product doesn’t go bad, some of the ingredients may deteriorate, and there may be a decline in the product’s quality.
It can be helpful to treat the use-by date as a rough guideline. Once you reach that date, you should aim to use the rest of the product in the next few weeks. If you notice any issues with the product before it’s finished, you should stop using the powder immediately.
Does protein powder expire? Yes, it does expire, but that doesn’t mean that it goes bad as soon as you reach the sell-by date. Protein powder has a long shelf life, and it will usually still be good shortly after you arrive at the date printed on the package.
Beyond that, it’s possible for protein powder to expire before the date on the packaging is reached. You shouldn’t ignore the sell-by date on your powder, but you should pay attention to the product so that you can get a better idea of whether or not it’s still okay to use.
