Can Bottled Water Go Stale?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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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, chemicals from the plastic bottle can begin to leak into the water it holds.

How long can bottled drinking water be stored?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates the bottled water industry, does not require a shelf life for bottled water. Bottled water can be used indefinitely if stored properly, but we recommend

no more than two years for non-carbonated water, and one year for sparkling water

.

Does bottled water go bad or expire?


Yes, Bottled Water Expires

—Here’s Why It Matters

You probably always have some water bottles on hand—maybe you even stocked up on big packs of bottled water during the beginning of COVID-19 to make sure you didn’t run out. But it turns out that bottled water actually won’t last forever.

Does bottled water go stagnant?

Should you worry? Of course not.

Water doesn’t go bad

. Having a freshness date on a bottle of water makes about as much sense as having an expiration date on sugar or salt.

Can bacteria grow in water bottles?


Bacteria, fungi and even mold can thrive in a water bottle

, thanks mainly to its moist environment. Simply rinsing the bottle out with water isn’t sufficient, and care must be taken when cleaning bottles that have attached straws and narrow-mouth lids with lots of nooks and crannies.

Is month old water safe to drink?


You should avoid drinking water left open for a very long time

. The water left overnight or for a long period of time in an open glass or container is home to numerous bacterias and is not safe for drinking. You never know how much dust, debris, and other small microscopic particles might have passed into that glass.

What happens when water bottles expire?

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)

( 5 , 6 , 7 ).

How long does a plastic water bottle take to decompose?

Why? Both processes are dependent on bacteria that consume and breakdown waste into simple matter. But PET is made with chemicals that bacteria cannot consume. That is not to say that plastics can’t breakdown, they do, but it takes a long time; plastic bottles take

up to 450 years

to decompose in landfill.

What bottled water has the longest shelf life?


Puravai Emergency Drinking Water

comes with a 20 year guaranteed shelf life but is safe to drink beyond 50 years when stored properly. This case of Puravai Emergency Drinking Water comes with 6 one liter bottles (33.8 fluid ounces) of the longest lasting, most durable and convenient water available.

Does water go stale overnight?


After around 12 hours, our tap water can go flat as the carbon dioxide in the air mixes with the water

. This lowers the pH level of the drinking water, and this process imparts a stale, lifeless taste. Although the drinking water is still safe to drink, it’s less palatable, and many people won’t enjoy the taste at all.

How can you tell if water has bacteria in it?

  1. Cloudiness.
  2. Strange tinting or color.
  3. Unusual taste.
  4. Odors of sulfur, rotten eggs or manure.
  5. Suspended solids.

How long does bottled water last once opened and not refrigerated?

Pantry Fridge Water (opened)

3 – 5 days
Sparkling, vitamin or flavored water (unopened) Best-by + 3 months

Does gallon water expire?

In their eyes, or according to their guidelines,

water does not expire

. This is true only if it is professionally packaged in food-grade bottles. We recommend that you use your water within two years of the manufacturing date. The use-by date is printed on the neck of the bottle.

Is it safe to drink bottled water left in a hot car?



You should never drink from a bottle that’s been once opened and closed and left in a hot space

, since it’s a perfect environment for different bacteria to grow,” explains Kristina Hendija, MD, a medical advisor for Beardoholic.

Why do bottles of water have expiration dates?

The first reason is actually pretty simple.

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

.

How many plastic water bottles end up in the ocean?

How many plastic bottles are in the ocean? The number of plastic bottles in the sea is unknown, but over 250 billion were not recycled.

Around 8-9 million metric tons of plastic end up in our oceans every year

. That’s the equivalent of a garbage truck emptying plastic into the ocean every single minute.

What is the longest thing to decompose?

  1. Glass bottles. Time to break down: one million years.
  2. Plastic bags. Time to break down: 200-500 years.
  3. Aluminium cans. Time to break down: 80-200 years.
  4. Rubber-soled shoes. Time to break down: 50-80 years.
  5. Tin cans. Time to break down: 50 years.
  6. Clothing. Time to break down: up to 40 years.
  7. Plastic film* …
  8. Paper coffee cups.

How long does it take for a denim jeans to degrade?

Denim: Denim is made of 100 percent cotton, and although sturdy, it takes

10 to 12 months

to fully biodegrade. However, denim that is blended with other synthetic fibres like spandex for added stretch can take much longer depending on the ratio of the blend.

Rachel Ostrander
Author
Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.