Do Vitamins Expire? Understanding Shelf Life and Safety

Vitamins are nutrients important for the proper growth and development of your body. There are about 13 essential vitamins. These include vitamins A, B (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12), C, D, E, and K.

You can get all these vitamins in foods, and your body can make some (vitamins D and K). However, vitamin supplements may be required in some cases, such as for people with certain health conditions, people who follow certain dietary restrictions (e.g., vegans), people older than 50, and those who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

An expiration date is the last day a manufacturer can guarantee that a medication will remain safe and effective, especially when stored according to the required storage conditions. Manufacturers often set this date by testing if the medication remains stable under controlled conditions, including variations in temperature, light, and relative humidity.

Unlike regular medications, the FDA does not require manufacturers of dietary supplements to include the expiration date on the product label. However, most dietary supplements have an expiration or “use by” date on their label—typically about two years later. If the vitamin is stored as required, it is expected to retain its strength, purity, and quality within that period.

The potency (strength) of the vitamin is no longer guaranteed after the expiration date. Properly stored vitamins last much longer and retain their strength better.

Several factors determine how potent your vitamins are after you have opened them for use.

Moisture

Studies show that moisture can affect vitamin stability. For example, Vitamin C and vitamin B2 can degrade (break down chemically) if they come in contact with water or environments with high humidity.

In the presence of moisture and air, vitamin C changes into another compound called dehydroascorbic acid, which does not have the properties (including antioxidant properties) of vitamin C.

Light

Light can break down some vitamins into inactive forms. For example, vitamins A, B2, D, C, E, and K degrade rapidly when exposed to light after opening the container.

Temperature

Heat or temperature can also lower vitamin strength. One study found that when stored at room temperature (77 degrees Fahrenheit), vitamin D provides 90% or more of the amount listed on the label for about one year.

However, at 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius), manufacturers can only guarantee this potency for four months.

Dosage Forms

The supplement form affects vitamin stability. For example, vitamins in solid dosage forms, like tablets, have greater stability and can be used longer than liquid ones.

Chewable tablets and gummies absorb more moisture than vitamins in tablet form, so they tend to degrade faster. 

A degraded medication may not provide the intended benefits, as it may be lower in strength than originally formulated. It is best to store your vitamins properly.

Here are some of the best practices:

Store in a Cool, Dry Place

Vitamins are sensitive to heat and moisture and can degrade more quickly in environments with high temperatures and humidity. Therefore, they should be stored in a cool and dry environment.

Your fridge may be cool, but it’s not sufficiently dry. So, when you store your supplements in the fridge, they may absorb moisture and degrade in quality. The same goes for storing your vitamins in the bathroom. Instead, you want to store your medication in a dresser drawer, closed shelf, or kitchen cabinet.

Use An Airtight Container

To help prevent moisture from degrading your vitamins, put them in an airtight container. Don’t take the vitamins out of their original container. Put the whole package in an airtight container. 

Choose Darker Containers

For vitamins sensitive to light, like vitamins A, C, and K, storing them in an amber or tinted container can prevent their degradation. You also want to avoid placing them near windows or areas directly exposed to sunlight.

Consuming vitamins past their expiration date is generally safe as long as there are no signs of mold, discoloration, or changes in appearance.

However, the vitamins might not work as intended because their potency might decrease after expiration. So, people who rely on specific nutrients like vitamin D for bone health or folic acid during pregnancy might want to use vitamins before their expiration date.

If you notice that the vitamin smells different or has an altered appearance, please stop using the supplement immediately and dispose of it properly.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the best way to dispose of expired medicines is through the take-back program option. Many communities and facilities work with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to collect and safely dispose of expired medicines. 

You can also remove expired vitamins from their original container and mix them with an undesirable substance, such as coffee grounds or kitty litter. Then, you can place the mixture in a sealable bag to prevent the supplement from leaking out of the garbage bag.

Avoid throwing medications directly in the trash to prevent possible risk to children and pets. Unless the label says otherwise, you should also avoid flushing your supplements down the toilet to prevent potential water contamination.

Most manufacturers estimate that vitamins can last up to two years. Taking expired vitamins may not harm you. However, they may not be as strong, which could affect their effectiveness.  

To ensure your vitamins last as long as listed on the product label, it is best to store them appropriately—usually in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing them in the fridge or areas directly in contact with sunlight.