Multiple studies have been performed surrounding the question of vitamin and supplement expiration. Consumers want to know if a supplement is safe to ingest past its expiration date and companies want to know if they need to throw out their vitamin stock.
One study by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that both prescription and over-the-counter were perfectly good to use 15 years after their expiration date. The problem is that vitamins and supplements lose their potency gradually over time, so while they are safe to take, they may not be as effective.
Continue reading to learn more about the shelf life of vitamins and supplements.
Do supplements expire?
Almost everything has a shelf life; but the question is do supplements expire? The answer is yes, they can expire due to potency reduction.
What is the average shelf life for vitamins?
Unlike prescription medication and over-the-counter medications, the FDA does not require vitamin and supplement manufacturers to include an expiration date on the packaging. They may include a “best by” date, but that is merely for the benefit of the consumer to let them know when the supplement was manufactured.
The typical shelf life for vitamins is 2 years. When stored correctly, the typical vitamin can retain its potency for many years.
Is it safe to take vitamins past their expiration date?
The short answer to this question is yes, it is safe to take vitamins past their expiration date. But some supplements can degrade faster than others, and some can turn rancid if not stored properly.
Still, it is highly unlikely to cause you harm if you consume vitamins past their “best by” date. “There has been no documented case of illness or death resulting from expired vitamins,” according to Healthline.
Does refrigeration extend the shelf life of vitamins?
Refrigeration can help extend the shelf life of some supplements like:
- Fish oil
- Flax seed
- Wheat germ oil
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Probiotics
Other vitamins and supplements will not last longer in the fridge because their shelf life is already 15 years, like the FDA concluded in their study.
How do you find a nutraceutical manufacturer?
Who makes your vitamins and supplements makes a huge difference in potency and quality. When you are searching for a nutraceutical manufacturer to make your supplement, read online reviews and ask former clients about the company. One of the top-rated makers of supplements in South Florida is Peak Nutritional Products.
They have custom formulas for:
- Cleanse & Detox
- Hair Skin & Nail
- Joint Support
- Male Enhancement
- Brain Support/Focus
- Multivitamin
- Probiotics
- Prostate
- Turmeric
They also have in-house packaging and turn-key packaging solutions for every supplement they manufacture. Contact Peak today!