The Information Age. Open a web browser to search. There is a plethora of information for *fill in the blank*. What is the correct information? What is the incorrect information? Some sources are borrowed from other sources. Some sources are stolen from other sources. Information are multiple full circles.
I research information on bottle water expiration dates. Is bottle water safe to drink after the expiration date? I post the websites I visited which includes the source, link, and date published if available. I copied and pasted the information directly from the websites relevant for me. The websites are sorted by date latest to earliest. The websites without a date are posted last sorted alphabetically.
My opinion on storing bottle water for emergencies is keep the bottle water in a cool and dry area free from all chemicals. The water is safe to drink beyond the expiration date.
Reader's Digest: Does Water Expire? Here's Why You Should Care by Brooke Nelson. Aug 23, 2022.
*Does water expire? Technically, bottled water does expire. The FDA doesn't actually mandate an expiration date on bottled water and says it's fine to drink bottled water past its expiration date if it's been stored properly.
*Does bottled water actually go bad? As it turns out, it isn't the water quality you should be worried about. It's the plastic that the water comes packaged in: usually polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for retail bottles and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) for water cooler jugs. So, technically, it's the bottle that goes bad, not the water.
*If your bottled water has been stored in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight—no matter how long—it should be fine to drink.
Science ABC: Does Bottled Water Expire? Why Does It Go Bad? by Ashish. Jul 8, 2022.
*Water itself doesn't have any sugars or proteins on which microbes can feast, so there is no danger of water "rotting" in the traditional sense when kept out in an open space for a long time. However, when water is kept out in the open for an extended period of time, things do tend to change a bit. The carbon dioxide in the air comes in contact with the water and gradually, 0.13% of the water turns to carbonic acid. Some of the molecules of this newly formed carbonic acid may lose a proton or two, and thus cause the formation of carbonates and bicarbonates. In turn, this changes the pH of water towards the lower side, making it slightly acidic (low pH signifies an acidic nature). This is what causes that weird taste of water. This slight change in the pH of water is not likely to hurt you.
*The case of bottled water also experiences some aging effects over time. Packaged water has certain additives (like chlorine), which ensure that the microbes present in water do not multiply. However, after a few days, i.e., after the expiration date, the additives will stop working and will fail to check the rapid multiplication of microbes in water. This is why bottled water can also taste bad after the expiration date has passed.
Does It Go Bad: Does Water Go Bad? by Marcin Skrzypiec. Jun 1, 2022.
*You should store an unopened bottle of water in a cool and dry area. The pantry is probably the best choice, but a kitchen cabinet works too.
*If you're storing some tap water in case of emergency, use large bottles and change the water every month or so. It's not like it's going to spoil or anything, but tap water stored for a long time tends to taste quite bad.
*Putting a shelf life on bottled water is not required by the FDA. Many companies put a date on the label simply because people tend to trust food that comes with a date more. But as long as you handle the storage properly, the water should last pretty much indefinitely.
*Once you open the bottle, it's best to finish it within a few days. Over time it will absorb some carbon dioxide, and thus its taste will change.
*There usually aren't any clear signs that water is bad. If there are any contaminants or cloudiness, throw it out. Next, give it a good sniff and if it smells off, discard it.
Live Science: Do water bottles expire? by Karen Gordon. Apr 25, 2022.
*Bottled water does indeed come with an expiration date--even though the water itself doesn't go bad. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates bottled drinking water, doesn't legally require a shelf life on bottled water. But because plastic can begin leaching into bottled water over time, they generally have an expiration date of 2 years from the date of manufacture.
*The FDA has decided that there's no limit to the shelf life of bottled water, you may often see an expiry date on the bottle. But, does that mean water can go bad and "expire"? Well, yes and no. The water itself doesn't go bad, but after a while, chemicals from the plastic bottle may start to leak into the water and even affect its taste or smell.
*According to the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA), some companies still place date-based lot codes on bottles of water to help with managing stock rotation at distribution and retail points. This date-based lot code is also useful in detecting contamination, product recalls and bottling errors. The IBWA says that this date-based lot code isn't an expiration date, and can be helpful for consumers who can use these same date codes to ensure they consume the oldest product first.
*Never reuse a disposable bottle--frequent usage will cause a breakdown of the plastic, especially if washed at a high temperature.
*Invest in BPA-free plastic or a stainless-steel bottle.
*The IBWA says that it's important to store bottled water in a cool place out of direct sunlight and away from household chemicals and solvents to ensure quality.
US Food & Drug Administration or FDA. Current as of Apr 22, 2022.
*The FDA describes bottled water as water that's intended for human consumption and sealed in bottles or other containers with no added ingredients, except that it may contain safe and suitable antimicrobial agents. Fluoride may also be added within the limits set by the FDA.
Lipsey Water: HOW LONG DOES BOTTLED WATER LAST? Dec 15, 2020.
*DOES BOTTLED WATER GO BAD? The short answer is yes. Some people view the expiration dates on water bottles as just a guideline, or they think only paranoid people abide by such strict dates. But, believe it or not, the expiration dates on the plastic water bottles you buy DO matter.
*Unopened bottled water can last up to two years. Opened water bottles, however, can last a few weeks. Pure tap water usually expires after six months from the time it gets packaged.
*WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DRINK BAD BOTTLED WATER? It's not the water that goes bad. It's the plastic in which it's stored. Generally, the plastic used for bottled water is polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) for water cooler jugs. Over time, these plastics will slowly dissolve into the water or, rather, will seep into the water. This process gets sped up if the water is exposed to heat, whether it's heat from the sun, engines, or even the heat from sitting in a hot garage or delivery truck.
*Health experts say that drinking expired water exposes the human body to reproductive issues, different types of cancer, and heavy damages to the immune system and can cause neurological problems. Overall, it's best to avoid expired drinking water altogether. And in some cases, health experts recommend not drinking from plastic bottles whatsoever.
Crystal Beverage Company: How Long Does An Unopened Bottled Water Last? Oct 28, 2020.
*DOES BOTTLED WATER REALLY EXPIRE? The United States, where almost all types of bottled water are branded with a "best before" or "use by" date or timestamp. However, this doesn't exactly mean that you can no longer drink the bottled water once it has reached past the expiry date. Water, as a matter of fact, doesn't really expire--especially when it's properly sealed and stored in a safe and secure location.
*So why do water bottles have an expiry date then? The first common reason is because of government-mandated policies that require manufacturers of all consumables. Another reason water bottle manufacturers want to indicate when the water may begin losing its fresh, natural taste. This is mostly the case for spring, mineral and other natural water flavors or products. Experts still recommend to always err on the side of caution and avoid drinking water from plastic bottles that have gone way past their expiration date. This is because the plastic material can begin leaching into the water content over time, resulting in a host of chemicals such as antimony and bisphenol A (BPA).
*Store water in a cool storage location and away from direct sunlight or any warm setting. Warmer temperatures can make the water go bad, aid bacterial growth and only heighten the release of harmful chemicals into the water.
Mountain Valley Spring Water: HOW LONG DOES BOTTLED WATER LAST? May 9, 2020.
*Does bottled water expire? In 2019, a water-contamination crisis in Newark, New Jersey led to area officials distributing bottles of water from their stored emergency supplies. One water crisis almost begat another water crisis: several of the stored bottles were older than the "best by" dates printed on them. The situation begged the question: Is it safe to drink "expired" water? The short answer, as Newark officials would learn, is yes.
*How do you safely store bottled water? High temperatures have been shown to affect the quality of water bottled in plastic. And, as storage temperatures rise, so do the risks. A 2007 study published in ScienceDirect found that plastic bottles of water stored at 150 degrees Fahrenheit showed levels of antimony, a potential carcinogen, higher than FDA limits after 38 days. At 167 degrees Fahrenheit, however, the water reached these levels after only five days. The International Bottled Water Association, or IBWA, advises storing bottled water in a cool place. If that cool place is away from sunlight, all the better.
*How long does bottled water last . . . after it's been opened? While closed bottles of water will likely be safe to drink for years on end, opening a bottle of water dramatically shortens its lifespan. Once a bottle of water is exposed to the elements--those in the air as well as those on and in the drinker's hands and mouths — all of the sanitation efforts that go into safely packaging that water no longer apply. Open bottles of water should be consumed as quickly as possible for the best freshness and purity.
Healthline: Does Water Expire? Jan 15, 2020.
*Though water itself doesn't expire, bottled water often has an expiration date. In 1987, New Jersey became the first and only U.S. state to pass a law requiring that all food products--including bottled water--have an expiration date of 2 years or less from the date of manufacture. When this law was passed, printing an expiration date became an industry standard for bottled water manufacturers across the country. However, this law was later changed, and no current legislation in the United States requires manufacturers to print an expiration date on bottled water.
*Still, it's generally not a good idea to drink water from plastic bottles that's way beyond its expiration date. This is because plastic can begin to leach into the water over time, contaminating it with chemicals, such as antimony and bisphenol A (BPA). If ingested regularly, these plastic compounds can slowly accumulate in your body, which could harm gut health, immunity, and respiratory function.
*Keeping bottled water in a cool place out of direct sunlight can help promote proper food safety and reduce your risk of negative health effects. Because plastic bottles are also slightly permeable, it's best to store bottled water away from household cleaning supplies and chemicals. If you notice that your water has developed an odd taste or odor, you should boil it before drinking or discard it.
Consumer Reports: Can You Drink Expired Bottled Water? by Ryan Felton. Aug 15, 2019.
*The FDA has determined there is no limit to the shelf life of bottled water, as long as it's "produced properly and is unopened."
*Antimony [is] a chemical in many plastic bottles, to be released into the water—if the bottle is exposed to high enough temperatures long enough. A silvery metal, antimony is a potential carcinogen that has been tied to lung and heart problems.
*"To our knowledge, there is no data with regard to increased shedding of plastics from water bottles due to the influence of time," Sheri Mason, Ph.D., sustainability coordinator at Penn State Behrend and a chemist who has studied the presence of plastic in tap water, beer, sea salt, and bottled water tells CR.
Taste Of Home: Bottled Water DOES Have an Expiration Date--and Here's Why by Brooke Nelson. Aug 13, 2019.
*It isn't the water quality you should be worried about; it's the plastic that the water comes packaged in (usually polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for retail bottles and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) for water cooler jugs). After a certain point in its life, the plastic can begin leaching into the liquid, which affects its taste and could create a serious health hazard. The porous plastic can also cause the water to accumulate odors and other accompaniments from outside.
*It's unlikely that an "expired" (but unopened) bottle of water will do you much harm. And here's why: the expiration dates are fairly arbitrary. The only reason they were put there in the first place was because of a 1987 New Jersey state law that required all food products to display an expiration date, according to Mental Floss. Since it wasn't very cost-effective to label and ship batches of expiration-dated water to one state alone, most bottled water producers just started giving every bottle a two-year sell-by date--no matter where it was going.
Delish: The Real Reason Water Bottles Have Expiration Dates by Danielle Jackson. Sep 6, 2017.
*Since water is a consumable product, it's required by law to have an expiration date printed on it just like milk, cheese, or eggs. That said, even though the water itself doesn't expire, the plastic bottle that it comes in does, and that can, in turn, cause chemicals from the bottle to leak into the water and affect its overall taste. So if you happen to find a water bottle well past its printed expiration date in your home, it's safe to drink but you should also be aware of the fact that it might not be super fresh anymore.
*Basically, these expiration dates are just a bunch of government regulations. So while you should check it to make sure it's gonna taste fresh, you can probably still relax and enjoy in most cases.
Insider: You should never drink bottled water after its expiration date--here's why by Holly Van Hare, The Daily Meal. Aug 1, 2017.
*How can water go bad? It can't. Water, like oxygen or steel or any other naturally occurring substance, is simply a chemical compound; it's ageless. However, humans have taken to storing natural-occurring water in plastic, artificial, flimsy containers, and the bottles can go bad. The plastic compounds can break down over time and leak into your water.
*There are ways to get around this. Firstly, you can boil your water before drinking it. This will effectually kill anything that's living inside. Secondly, the plastic compounds that can leak in might make your water taste funny, but they aren't usually inherently harmful for you to ingest.
Eldorado Natural Spring Water: Does Bottled Water Really Expire? Feb 8, 2017.
*The thing you really need to worry about when it comes to bottled water is the bottle itself. The plastic bottle is what actually expires, and this can really alter the flavor of the water it contains.
*A state law [in New Jersey in 1987] was passed which required any food or beverage (not including water) to be labeled with an expiration date that was two years from the package or bottling date. Bottling companies in New Jersey deemed it to be highly inefficient to date certain bottles and not others, (i.e. only dating soda bottles and requiring a separate assembly line for water bottles) so they started labeling all of the bottles with an expiration date exactly two years from the date they bottled the water. This law was eventually amended and no longer exists. However, labeling for expiration has become ingrained in the bottling process.
*What Really Expires? Most water is typically purified before it's bottled and sold, excluding of course natural spring waters which are pure in their natural forms and also won't expire. So it isn't the water that you need to worry about, it's the plastic the water comes in. Bottled water is packaged in polyethylene terephthalate (also known as PET) plastic and plastic water cooler jugs usually come in high-density polyethylene (HDPE). These plastics are slightly porous, which means that the water can pick up smells and tastes from outside the packaging. If you ever kept a case of bottled water down in your basement for an emergency, you may have cracked one of them open and tasted some interesting, dusty, musty flavors. The water inside the bottles is okay to drink, it just tastes terrible.
*As long as you're storing your water sealed and unopened like you would any other food or beverage, you're going to be fine. Water doesn't expire, and plastic doesn't expire, but the bottles the water is packaged in may affect the taste of your drinking water.
The Wall Street Journal: A Little Secret About Bottled Water by Andrea Petersen. Feb 11, 2004.
*Most commercially produced water comes stamped with expiration dates--typically within two years of when it was bottled.
*But does water really spoil? Despite the labels reminding consumers to drink up, there is virtually no evidence that drinking water beyond the expiration date has any health impact at all. The Food and Drug Administration considers bottled water to have an "indefinite shelf life." Even the bottled-water industry is hard-pressed to justify the labels.
*People who bottle their own tap water. Unsealed containers could allow bacteria or other contaminants into the water that could multiply, experts say. It's unclear, however, how many people take the time to fill milk jugs or soda bottles with tap water and store it as part of their disaster-supply kits.
*The fact that bottled water carries expiration dates can be blamed on New Jersey, the only state that officially requires it. That regulation dates back to 1987, though it's not completely clear what prompted it. The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services says only that: "The intent of the law was to protect the safety and quality of drinking water."
*The industry says that, given the New Jersey law, it's easier--and cheaper--for water companies to stamp dates on every bottle, whatever the destination, than to do it selectively.
*The taste of a bottle of water can shift slightly over time. One explanation, according to some, is that the minerals that either naturally occur in some bottled water or are added during manufacturing may settle. The result can be water that tastes stale.
*The type of bottle used can also be a factor in the taste. The cheaper kind of translucent plastic used for milk jugs and some gallon containers of water can eventually leach a plastic tinge into the water. (Most bottled water, however, is packaged in a higher grade of plastic that is much more resistant to leaching.)
Alkaline88: Does Bottled Water Go Bad?
*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.
*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.
*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.
*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.
Bubi Bottle: Shelf life for bottled water. Does bottled water expire?
*Water itself has no expiration date. Since water is a natural substance, it has an indefinite shelf life. The Food and Drug Administration, which regulates the bottled water industry, does not require a shelf life for bottled water. That means if bottled water is appropriately stored, it fits for an indefinite amount of time. However, the recommended shelf life for still water is two years, and sparkling water is one year. It's all because some chemicals from the plastic bottle can get into the water, affecting the taste and water quality.
*Never store water in an unairconditioned storage space like a garage or shed. Cool weather helps to save water. Choose a cool, dry, covered location to store your water bottles correctly. We also suggest to don't store water on a shelf with chemicals.
*Bottled water should be colorless and odorless. If you sense an odor, observe a musty or metallic taste, observe a foam or a color of green or blue[.] It means that dirt, bacteria, or rust has seeped into the bottle.
Crystal Geyser Frequently Asked Questions
*Q: Does BPA leach from your Crystal Geyser Alpine Spring Water into the water? A: Not only are our bottles 100% BPA free, there is absolutely no connection between PET or rPET plastic and BPA. Customarily, BPA is used to make polycarbonate, a completely different plastic not related to PET or rPET. Polycarbonate is not used in the production of PET or rPET material, nor is it used as a chemical building block for any of the materials used in our manufacturing. There is absolutely no risk of BPA leaching into our product.
*Q: Do chemicals leach from your Crystal Geyser Alpine Spring Water if the bottles are stored in the sun or in a hot car? A: No. Claims that plastic bottled water containers stored in warm environments (e.g. a hot automobile) 'leach' chemicals are not true, and have no basis in science. Our plastic bottled water containers (both PET and rPET) are not only approved by the FDA, they're commonly used by many other companies precisely because they are safe, recyclable and durable for use in the food and beverage industry.
*Q: Do cancer causing chemicals like phthalates leach from Crystal Geyser Alpine Spring Water bottles into the water? A: Phthalates are a class of chemicals that include three subsets, each with different properties. Orthophthalate is the phthalate subset most commonly referenced and discussed, as it is also called a "plasticizer," meaning it is often used to make various plastics more flexible. The PET and rPET we utilize do not contain plasticizers or orthophthalates.
*Q: How long can I store my Crystal Geyser Alpine Spring Water? A: Crystal Geyser Alpine Spring Water can safely be stored for several years. However, since we recognize that consumer storage conditions vary greatly, we recommend that consumers use the product before the 'sell by' date expires (which is two years after production). The 'sell by' date is easily found on the neck of every bottle above the top of the label. Our products are best stored in a cool, odor-free, dry environment, and should be stored away from all cleaning products and household chemicals. For more information, please contact our Consumer Services Department (1-833-276-9263).
Heart Water: Does Bottled Water Go Bad?
*Should you be concerned? The short answer to this question is: no.
*While you do not need to be concerned about drinking spoiled water, you need to know why bottled water has expiration dates to understand the implications of drinking expired water. As it turns out, it's not the actual water quality you need to be worried about, it's the plastic that the water is contained in. Typically water is bottled in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for retail bottles and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) for water cooler jugs. What's alarming about these types of bottles is that plastics contaminant the liquid bottle once expired or exposed to excessive heat, including exposure to sunlight or hot cars. The toxic chemicals that are contained in this plastic will enter the water, not only affecting the taste of the water but also creating serious health implications for the consumer, as well.
*Many bottled water companies will print a two year expiration date on the bottle, although there's really no precise way to predict exactly when the plastic will leach into the water. The two year expiration date is more of guess of when the water bottle is most likely to have been exposed to heat or when it's starting to degrade, however, the unfortunate reality is that most water bottles are exposed to excessive heat within days of being purchased, especially if it was purchased in the summertime.
*Does bottled water go bad? Water is a natural substance and does not go bad, however the plastic water bottle will degrade over time and begin to leach chemicals into the water, which is why it is always important to choose BPA free bottled water.
*Can you tell if bottled water is bad? Plastic water bottles are slightly permeable, and can leach chemicals into the water over time. This is particularly a problem in non-bpa free plastic and water bottled in milk jug plastic. If your water has a strange taste or smell we recommend you discard it.
Water Boy: How Long Does Bottled Water Last?
*To ensure the safety and quality of your water, it's essential that you store it securely. Practicing proper food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness. In order to confirm that your water will have a long shelf-life, you should: Keep bottled water stored at room temperature; store in a dry area away from sunlight; never store bottled water near cleaning products or other chemicals; never leave bottled water in a hot car.
*If you water was stored in a cool or refrigerated area out of direct sunlight, the bottled water should be safe to drink.
