Do Vitamins Expire?
Yes, vitamins expire and lose potency over time. The expiration date indicates when manufacturers guarantee stated potency. Expired vitamins are generally safe but may provide less than the labeled amounts. Proper storage (cool, dry, dark) extends effectiveness. Most vitamins remain reasonably potent for 1-2 years past expiration.
Key Takeaways
- Vitamin degradation is about potency, not safety.
- Probiotics are living organisms and are particularly sensitive to expiration and storage conditions.
- Fish oil supplements can go rancid; smell them before taking if old.
Explanation
Vitamin degradation is about potency, not safety. Over time, vitamins break down and become less effective. By the expiration date, some products may have lost 10-20% of their potency. This continues past expiration, but the rate varies by vitamin type and storage conditions.
Different vitamins degrade at different rates. Vitamin C, B vitamins, and probiotics are particularly unstable. Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) tend to be more stable. Minerals generally do not degrade like vitamins do. Gummy vitamins may degrade faster than tablets.
Storage dramatically affects vitamin longevity. Heat, humidity, light, and air exposure accelerate breakdown. Keep vitamins in a cool, dry place (not the bathroom). Keep containers tightly closed. Refrigeration can help some supplements, especially probiotics and fish oil.
Things to Know
- Probiotics are living organisms and are particularly sensitive to expiration and storage conditions.
- Fish oil supplements can go rancid; smell them before taking if old.
- Manufacturers often overfill supplements to ensure labeled potency at expiration, so fresh vitamins may exceed stated amounts.