Is it OK to drink expired water?

The INSIDER Summary: Water actually can expire and become unsafe to drink. Those little black dotted numbers on bottles denote the water's expiration date. Harmful algae and bacteria can seep into plastic water bottles and contaminate them.

How long can you drink water after expiration date?

Answer: From a safety perspective, you have nothing to worry about. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, unopened commercially bottled water will keep safe indefinitely, as long as the bottles remain properly sealed and aren't damaged.

Can you get sick from drinking old water?

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. Water left in a bottle for a long time is not safe to drink.

What happen if you drink expire water?

If ingested regularly, these plastic compounds can slowly accumulate in your body, which could harm gut health, immunity, and respiratory function ( 8 , 9 ). Additionally, bottled water that's carbonated may eventually become flat, losing its carbonation and developing an off taste.

Is it safe to drink expired bottled water?

That raised an obvious question: Is it safe to drink expired bottled water? According to state and city officials, yes. But some researchers also say it can be important to store it properly.

Does Water Ever Expire?

Does water in plastic bottles expire?

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA (opens in new tab)), which regulates bottled drinking water, doesn't legally require a shelf life on bottled water. But because plastic can begin leaching into bottled water over time, they generally have an expiration date of 2 years from the date of manufacture.

How long is water safe in plastic bottles?

Since water is a naturally occurring substance it has an indefinite shelf life, however due to the fact that plastic water bottles leach chemicals into the water overtime we recommend a 2 year shelf life for still water.

Why does bottled water expire?

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. And when you drink that water, chemicals like BPA can make their way into your system.

How long is open bottle of water good for?

Once you open the bottle, it's best to finish it within a few days. Over time it will absorb some carbon dioxide, and thus its taste will change. That's why many sources recommend finishing the bottle within 3 days and actually refrigerating the bottle.

Can water get moldy?

Water can only grow mold when it is at rest. Moving water can carry spores but it cannot “grow” mold while in motion. A pond with little movement is more likely to grow water than a river which is constantly in motion.

How long is a glass of water good for?

“If you have clean water in a clean glass, you're fine for a day or two,” he says, adding that almost all tap water in the U.S. contains chlorine additives that will kill small communities of microorganisms.

How do you store water for years?

Fill bottles or jugs directly from the faucet. Cap tightly and label each container with the words "Drinking Water" and the date stored. Store sealed containers in a dark, dry, and cool place. If after six months you have not used the stored water, empty it from the containers and repeat steps 1 through 3 above.

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

Bottled water is fine. You can drink it — just don't leave it in a hot temperature for a long time. I think that's the important message,” Lena Ma, the study's co-author and a professor of biogeochemistry of trace metals at the University of Florida, told Yahoo Health.

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

If left in the open, your water may taste slightly different since it will absorb carbon dioxide. For this reason, the recommended period is to consume the water 3 days following the day it was opened.

Can bacteria grow in bottled water?

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.

Does glass bottled water expire?

Glass bottles on their own have an indefinite shelf life – glass is 100 percent recyclable and at any given time, as much as 20 percent of any bottle is made of recycled glass. As long as glass is not damaged, cracked or broken it lasts practically forever, never wears out and can be recycled in perpetuity.

Can water make you fat?

“No water can make you gain weight. In fact, your body has to expend calories to warm the water to the body's temperature which is 98 degrees. This means the water is raising the body's metabolic rate. So, no water can make you fat.

How long is unopened bottled water good for?

And while the water itself may remain clean indefinitely, the bottle presents some potential issues to watch out for. For this reason, many bottled water manufacturers recommend that you keep bottled water for no longer than two years.

Can you drink rain water?

Rainwater that falls in heavily polluted areas or comes into contact with contaminants, such as animal feces or heavy metals, may not be appropriate for human consumption ( 2 ). Thus, it's not advisable to start collecting and drinking rainwater unless you're 100% certain it's clean and safe for human consumption.

What is the safest container to store water in?

The safest plastic containers to hold water are polyethylene-based plastics, or plastics #1, #2, and #4. All food-grade plastics are made of High-density polyethylene (HDPE) #2.

Is it safe to drink bottled water that has been sitting in the sun?

“The hotter it gets, the more the stuff in plastic can move into food or drinking water.” Drinking from a single water bottle left in the hot sun won't hurt you, but experts say consumers should avoid persistant exposure to plastic containers left in extreme heat.

What are the dangers of drinking water from plastic bottles?

This type of plastic contains BPA, which has been banned in countries around the world, including the European Union and China, due to its toxicity. BPA exposure is linked to multiple health effects including fertility issues, altered brain development, cancer, and heart complications.

Is frozen bottled water safe to drink?

Experts say that frozen water bottles are harmless

In fact, Johns Hopkins researcher Dr. Rolf Halden has said that these claims are nothing more than an urban legend, adding that freezing actually hinders the release of chemicals because they "do not diffuse as readily in cold temperatures" (via Snopes).

Is it safe to store water in plastic bottles?

Chemical Leaching

Many plastic water bottles contain hazardous chemical compounds called BPA and PET. These substances, which are linked to cardiovascular disease and diabetes, can be released from the plastic because of exposure to light, heat, and storage. Never put plastic bottles in the oven or microwave.