{"id":340676,"date":"2021-02-03T02:00:32","date_gmt":"2021-02-03T06:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/formnutrition.com\/us\/?p=340676"},"modified":"2021-11-02T13:05:14","modified_gmt":"2021-11-02T17:05:14","slug":"is-it-safe-to-consume-expired-protein-powder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/formnutrition.com\/us\/inform\/is-it-safe-to-consume-expired-protein-powder\/","title":{"rendered":"Is It Safe To Consume Expired Protein Powder? Here\u2019s What Science Says"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether you\u2019re starting a fresh training plan or just looking to improve your nutrition this year, it\u2019s safe to say you\u2019re probably looking at making a few tweaks to boost your health and wellness. If more specifically, these goals involve building strength, protein shakes are hard to beat in convenience, macronutrients, and individual serving price, but how long will your new supply last before it spoils?<\/p>\n

Protein powder expiry is a hot topic in fitness circles as the muscle-building<\/a> macro helps build lean body mass, muscle strength and reduces cravings. And if you treat your body as a temple, you’ll want your protein in pristine condition, just like you. But what happens when protein powder expires and does it vary between whey and vegan protein products? Let\u2019s find out.<\/p>\n

So, Why Does Protein Powder Have a Long Shelf Life?<\/h2>\n

Whichever your go-to flavour, protein contains several ingredients and additives designed to aid digestion, improve taste and, crucially, ensure it meets strict quality standards that make it safe to ingest. What\u2019s more, just like regular food, protein products come with a \u2018best by\u2019 and \u2018use by\u2019 date that you\u2019ll want to make a note of.<\/p>\n

Firstly, the \u2018best by\u2019 date – also known as the best before date or \u2018BBE\u2019 (best before end) – ensures the product is presented and consumed at the quality in which it was produced but remains safe to eat after the date has passed.<\/p>\n

The \u2018use by\u2019 date, however, is all about safety. \u201cThis is the most important date to remember. Foods can be eaten until the use by date but not after,\u201d explains the Foods Standards Agency<\/a>. \u201cYou will see use by dates on food that goes off quickly…for the use by date to be a valid guide, you must carefully follow storage instructions.\u201d After this date, you should avoid eating, cooking, or freezing ingredients past their use by date, even if it\u2019s been stored correctly and has passed the coveted \u2018sniff test\u2019.<\/p>\n

Protein powder, however, contains a few ingredients that help prolong its shelf-life, explains nutritionist Jenna Hope<\/a>. These include maltodextrin and lecithin. \u201cProtein products contain additives such as maltodextrin and lecithin to help prolong the shelf life. The processing of the protein can also help to increase shelf life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maltodextrin is often used as a thickening agent to increase a food product\u2019s volume but also acts as a preservative to increase the shelf life of packaged foods and decrease the chances of the protein powder expiring.<\/p>\n

Similarly, lecithin is a low-cost preservative that delays product spoilage while also acting as a blending agent and emulsifier, helping to mix flavourings and sweeteners. Lecithin is usually found on ingredients as soy lecithin, and can provoke allergic reactions.<\/p>\n

In fact, emulsifiers in general are bad for gut microbiome health, and so anything with them in should be approached with this in mind. Do note, there are no preservatives or emulsifiers in any of Form’s protein powders. Your gut health is important for daily life, so it pays to look after it well.<\/p>\n

What About Vegan Protein?<\/h2>\n

Obviously, at Form, vegan protein powder<\/a>, not whey, is the order of the day. As vegan protein powder, unlike whey, is absent from dairy ingredients, it generally presents a lower risk of spoiling and making you sick. \u201cVegan protein powder is generally considered safe past its shelf life although, again, a few months is ample,\u201d explains Hope.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t advise consuming protein years later though. Like whey protein, vegan varieties often contain additives to preserve shelf life too.\u201d As before, it pays to look at the ingredients. At Form, there are no additives to preserve shelf life, only added vitamins and minerals to help you meet your daily nutrient needs.<\/p>\n

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What is \u2018Maillard Browning\u2019? How Can It Affect My Protein?<\/h2>\n

\u201cThe Maillard reaction can occur in whey protein as a result of the interaction between the sugars from the lactose and the amino acids,\u201d explains Hope. \u201cThe Maillard reaction occurs when the protein is exposed to heat and can have a negative impact on the amino acids including lysine and isoleucine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once the protein\u2019s lysine levels begin to deplete, the protein powder begins to decrease in profile, depleting its muscle-building power. An easy way to check if your whey protein has spoiled through Maillard Browning is to give it a taste. If it\u2019s losing its flavour or already tastes like cardboard, it\u2019s game over.<\/p>\n

Can Expired Whey Protein Make You Sick?<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019ve gulped down a protein shake only to realise it\u2019s past its use-by date, there\u2019s no need to be concerned unless it\u2019s been stored in a warm environment. \u201cIf ambient protein products are kept in an air-tight, dry container and stored safely they are unlikely to make you sick consuming them within a few months of the expiry date,\u201d explains Hope.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf protein powder is exposed to humidity it will increase the risk of growing bacteria. In such cases, it would no longer be safe to consume.\u201d That said, whey protein isn\u2019t just used in shake form. Protein bars or milk-based drinks, for example, should be approached differently. \u201cThis would depend on whether the product was fresh,\u201d says Hope. \u201cFor example, some milk-based protein drinks may not be safe to consume past their expiry date. It\u2019s safest to take each product as it comes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Broadly speaking, your strength and muscle-building potential should be fine. \u201cIf it\u2019s stored safely and is consumed within a few months it shouldn\u2019t affect protein synthesis and muscle building,\u201d says Hope. \u201cIf protein is consumed years after its expiry date it may have an impact.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The Final Word<\/h2>\n

So, is it safe to whip up a protein shake using expired powder? In short, yes it is. But if the protein product, whether it\u2019s whey or vegan, smells or tastes off, or it\u2019s been a few months since its use-by date, treat yourself to a fresh pack and follow the storage instructions to the letter, to ensure its longevity.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhey protein is safe to consume once it has passed its expiry date, although the exact amount of time is unclear, and I wouldn\u2019t advise consuming it after a few months past its expiry date. It\u2019s important to be aware that it should be kept in an air-tight container,\u201d says Hope.<\/p>\n

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