It’s a commonly asked question. How often do you pay attention to the stamped date on a food product or vitamin bottle? You may see the words “manufacture date,” “expiration date,” “best by date,” depending on what kind of product it is.
Let’s pretend that the bottle of unopened HealthTrim® Cleanse, capsules, in your pantry has a stamped “manufacture date” of September 2016. The “manufacture date” (mfg) printed on the label is the date the product in the bottle was produced, in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) regulations.1 Since it was made over a year ago, do you think it’s still safe to consume? Let’s find out.
First, a little history
Federal regulations do not require dietary supplement manufacturers to include an expiration date on their products. However, a manufacturer may include this information if it is supported by valid data demonstrating that it is not false or misleading.
Due to rules within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDAs) current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) regulations, dietary supplement products (products labeled with Supplement Facts as opposed to Nutrition Facts) have “manufacture date” or “best by date.”
Safe consumption
Most of our products should be consumed within two years (unopened) of their “manufacture date.” Some products (i.e. Alkaline Water Concentrate) are good for four years past their listed manufacturer date. A “best by date” date means a product has optimal flavor and nutrition through the end of the month of a listed date.
If your products have been properly stored with intact seals, then it is safe to consume them even if it is two years after the “manufacture date.” The flavor of the products may change if they are consumed outside of their intended shelf lives.
Once opened, products should be stored and consumed according to the recommended label. For liquid products, thirty to forty days is the furthest date we still guarantee them to be safe and effective. If the product is opened and has been out of the refrigerator overnight, it is okay to consume. Powdered products, once opened, can last up to 60-90 days.
Products offered by PURE that should be refrigerated after opening include:
- Daily Build, Liquid
- All Superfruits: Acai, Goji, Fusion, Mangosteen, Noni
- GoYin
- CalciuMK+
How to correctly store your products
Storing your supplements in the right place can make a big difference in their quality and potency. In fact, the top threat facing your supplements is moisture. Water can oxidize and damage the ingredients, so keep your supplements in a cool, dry location.
High temperatures are also a problem, as they can cause nutrients to break down.
- Store your supplements in a cool dry place, away from heat, moisture and direct light.
- Keep supplements in their original containers, that way you’ll know their “manufacture date.”
- Always keep supplements away from children.
- Always read each label for storage and recommended use.
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