Does Whey Protein Go Bad? How Long Does It Last?

by Editorial Staff | Updated on December 17th, 2022

We all aim to live a healthy lifestyle with appropriate eating choices.

As a result, whey protein has been one of the most popular supplements among athletes, those who lead active lives, and those who wish to give their bodies a healthy boost.

With so many advantages, it stands to reason that we all have a container of whey protein in our homes, but we may be wondering if whey protein goes bad.

Does Whey Protein Go Bad?

Many factors can affect the shelf life of protein powder, such as exposure to oxygen, sunlight, and moisture. The type of protein powder, how it is stored, and how it is used can also affect its shelf life.

The good news is that whey protein will most likely not spoil if properly stored. It will only be difficult to use if it comes into contact with water.

However, while it does not go bad in the sense of making you sick, it degrades in quality with time.

The vitamins that whey protein provides are a major advantage of taking it regularly. Still, if you drink whey protein beyond its prime, you won’t obtain the vitamins since the quality of the supplement is too poor.

How Long Does Whey Protein Last?

Whey protein has an extremely long shelf life; if stored properly, it will survive much beyond the best by the date indicated on the bottle.

However, your whey protein will lose its effectiveness with time so you won’t get all its intended advantages.

If that isn’t an issue, you may eat your whey protein for up to nine months beyond the best-by date if the container is still sealed. If your container has been opened but is properly stored, you can consume your whey protein for up to six months after the best-by date.

The best-by date is merely a legal guideline, and it does not accurately reflect the shelf life of your whey protein in this circumstance.

People have enjoyed their whey protein for up to three years after the best date since it is of high quality and properly preserved.

To be safe and acquire the nutrients that your whey protein was meant to provide, it is advisable to eat it within nine months of the best-by date if it is still sealed and six months past the best-by date if your container has already been opened.

Are Additives Used To Extend Shelf Life?

Many protein powders contain additives like preservatives and antioxidants that help extend the product’s shelf life. However, these additives may also cause allergic reactions in some people.

If you have a history of allergies, be sure to check the ingredient list of the protein powder before using it. If you experience allergic reactions after using the powder, discontinue use immediately and consult a healthcare professional.

Is the “Expiration Date” the Only Factor to Take into Account?

Notably, a product’s “best by” or even “expiration” date reflects its quality rather than safety. According to experts, it is acceptable to ingest protein powder slightly past its expiration or “best by” date.

This is due, in part, to the low moisture content of protein powders. Bacterial growth is less hospitable in low-moisture meals.

Bacterial growth, however, is simply one indicator of a product’s safety. Protein powder consumers also take supplements to reap the benefits of the supplements. As a result, they should be concerned not just with safety but also with quality and efficacy.

As a result, it is constantly necessary to inspect the goods for symptoms of spoilage. It’s also vital to note that using expired items is entirely at your own risk. Buying a new product is always the safest option.

Caution Regarding Expiration Dates

If you’re thinking of filling up during a sale at your local grocery shop or health food store, proceed with care. Reputable retailers will not offer outdated items intentionally, even if they are on sale. On the other hand, stores frequently have deals to clear items nearing expiration.

Inadvertently, products are occasionally pushed to the back of shelves. They may also travel considerable distances from the manufacturing plant or warehouse.

It is usually a good idea to check a product’s expiration date before purchasing it. It’s also a good idea to estimate how much of the product you’ll use before that date. Stocking up during a deal is pointless if you don’t utilize the product before it expires.

How to Tell If Your Whey Protein Is Bad

Whey protein is not easily spoiled.

In reality, you may discover that your whey protein appears to be completely good months after the best date has passed, and it is safe to consume it.

You should be concerned only if your whey protein has come into touch with moisture since it may turn unpleasant.

Here are a few indicators that your whey protein is no longer safe to consume:

Your whey protein appears unusual

It should be discarded if your whey protein displays evidence of pantry insect infestations.

You may discover some extremely small black eggs in your powder, which indicates the presence of pantry bugs.

Furthermore, if your whey protein has come into touch with moisture, it may become clumpy, making it difficult to scoop and blend.

It may be recommended to avoid using clumpy or firm whey protein because it is cumbersome and impractical to ingest.

Also, if your powder exhibits any evidence of organic growth or mold, stop using it.

Your Whey Protein Smells Odd.

If your whey protein has a strange or unpleasant odor, it is advisable to stop using it.

It may not necessarily make you unwell, but if it does not smell as it should, it is most likely not providing you with the necessary nutrients and minerals.

The whey protein in your shake is clumpy.

It’s not a good idea to take whey protein if it’s stiff or clumpy.

Furthermore, if your whey protein appears to be sweating or carrying moisture, consuming it is not a good idea.

Your whey protein tastes odd.

If you have a daily supply of whey protein and find that it tastes unpleasant or odd, it is better to discontinue use.

This is because if your whey protein has undergone enough transformation to change the taste, it has most likely degraded in quality to the point where it will no longer provide you with any nutritional advantages.

What Happens If the Protein Powder Goes Bad?

Even if the protein powder lying around the home has expired, there is always hope.

Whether it’s a pure protein powder or one with extra additives, you can use it after the expiration date (but only for a week or two – presuming nothing is wrong with it).

I used to work for a manufacturer that stated that the finest protein powder might be taken up to three months beyond the expiration date, but I like to err on the side of health and safety.

Personally, as it reaches its expiration date, I throw it (but I do this with everything that has an expiration date). However, after time, the greatest protein powder will begin to lose its efficacy, which means that the product will not function as effectively as it did when it was “new.”

This might indicate that you aren’t getting the full quantity of protein and amino acids that you would from a newly produced container of protein powder.

Going a little further, outdated protein powder can cause the protein to react with the sugar present in the product (even if it’s only a tiny quantity), which can cause the lysine (an amino acid) level in the product to be broken down. If you want to get technical, this is known as Maillard browning.

Please keep in mind that there is a significant difference between a protein powder expiring and a protein shake (RTD) expiring. I would completely discard the expired RTD version whenever it reached its expiration date.

Does putting your protein in liquid make a difference?

About the RTD concept, many individuals combine their protein powder into a shake before leaving to work or the gym and store it in a refrigerator or bag until ready to consume.

Is there a problem with that?

Is the protein stable in liquid for a long time? Yes, it is. However, it is not suitable for long-term storage. You should drink your protein powder within 48 hours after mixing it with your preferred liquid.

However, leaving the shake out in a warm or hot setting will not want to consume the contents. Dump it, wash the shaker bottle or container, and begin again with a new protein shake.

The main lesson from pre-mixing your protein shake and storing it in a shaker bottle is always to ensure that the shaker or container is firmly shut before drinking it. Allowing the elements to perform their nefarious acts will flip things upside down rather soon.

Also, when you’re through your shaker bottle or container that had your protein shake, rinse it out, and wash it when you get home. On a hot summer day, the last thing you want to do is throw an old shaker bottle or container in your car and expect it to be the same.

At that time, you’ll want to Febreze your car and dispose of the shaker bottle as soon as possible. It will smell like an animal has died in your car and has been there for a long time. It will leave you struggling not to vomit (a little graphic, but true).

Is it possible that outdated protein powder may harm you?

Is it possible to become sick from old protein powder? As previously stated, the FDA does not mandate supplement manufacturers to provide expiration dates on their goods, although many do. It’s crucial to remember that these expiration or “use by” dates aren’t generally indicators of safety but rather of quality.

These dates inform buyers about how long the product will be at the highest quality, not when it will go rotten.

Keeping this in mind, taking protein powder soon after its expiration date is generally safe, provided the product is properly maintained; nonetheless, protein powders can lose protein content with age. As a result, consuming a product after its expiration date may be of poor quality.

Lysine, an amino acid in protein that helps with muscle growth, can begin to degrade over time due to a process known as the Maillard reaction. When amino acids like lysine degrade, the protein powder becomes less effective.

The Dangers of Consuming Old Whey Protein

The good news is that your outdated whey protein is unlikely to get you sick.

This is because whey protein is a low-moisture supplement, making it an unlikely candidate for bacterial development.

So the main danger of drinking outdated whey protein is that you will not receive the advantages and nutrients that you were looking for when you purchased the powder in the first place.

If you eat whey protein that has passed its best date by months or years, it is still safe to ingest; however, your whey protein has lost a lot of its quality because it has been past its best date for so long.

Whey protein enthusiasts claim that they continue to love their whey protein long after the expiry date, but they eat a large amount of it to compensate for the reduction in quality.

However, this is only true if the whey protein appears safe to consume.

Suppose your whey protein exhibits symptoms of contamination. In that case, it is advisable not to consume more of it since, while the danger of being ill from bacteria growth in whey protein is minimal, it is still present.

What happens if I don’t drink a protein shake? 

Is it true that protein powder expires faster when combined with other ingredients?

A bag or box of dry powder may be stored in a cold pantry for up to two years, but what if you utilize that protein powder in a shake? How long can you safely keep your protein shake out before drinking it?

The quick answer is that if you mix your protein powder with your preferred liquid, you should drink it immediately. You can probably keep a protein shake in the fridge for a few days, but if you leave it in a warm or hot setting, you won’t want to drink it after a few hours.

So, if you made a drink, set it down, and then forgot about it for a few hours, you should dump it and start again. Start with a clean shaker bottle or container and a new protein shake.

The expiration dates on protein powder packaging refer to the dry protein powder, not the protein shake. When you combine it with other food products, especially perishables like milk or vegetables, the powder’s expiration date no longer applies.

What Is the Best Way to Store Whey Protein?

The easiest way to extend your protein powder’s life is to store it properly.

Light, temperature, and exposure to bacteria and moisture will all impact whey protein. Keep the container in a cold, dark, and dry place for optimal results. The pantry is the greatest option, but a kitchen cabinet would suffice.

Once you’ve opened the packaging for the first time, keep the powder in an airtight container where moisture and contaminants can’t get to it.

Most whey protein supplements are packaged in a large plastic container that is easy to open and firmly shut. You can keep the powder in that jar if that’s the case. If your WPC arrived in a container or box you could not readily seal, you must move it to such a container after opening it.

I normally have one or two empty whey protein jars on hand just in case I need any containers.

Can Whey Protein Be Freeze?

As the discussion over which whey protein is the finest rages on, we question if it is safe to keep your whey protein in the freezer. It’s ideal to have whey protein in the pantry.

The atmosphere in your pantry is ideal for whey protein, and it may last a long time if stored in an airtight container away from a heat source.

As a result, there’s no need to store your whey protein in the freezer.

Keep your whey protein in the dark cupboard in your pantry instead, and you’ll be surprised to learn that it may survive for months after its best-by date.

Methods for using protein powder before it expires

Protein powder isn’t only for shakes and smoothies. Protein powders blend nicely in a wide range of recipes.

Bonus: Using protein powder in a baked treat or snack might improve its nutritional profile, especially if your favorite foods are high in carbohydrates.

Protein powder may be mixed into baked goods, oatmeal, pancakes, waffles, pizza crust, frittatas, quinoa breakfast bowls, peanut butter balls, and other dishes.

Sneaking a scoop of protein into your favorite dishes is a simple way to use your protein powders before they expire while also improving the nutritional makeup of the item.

You may also seek the advice of a nutritionist for additional suggestions or methods of utilizing any surplus protein powder before it expires.

Conclusion

Whey protein is a quick and easy way to give your body an additional boost, whether working out or bulking up. You may make it into a delightful drink, add it to pancake batter, or use it in baking.

Regardless matter how you want to utilize your whey protein, storage will make or break it. If you keep your whey protein in your pantry, you may enjoy it for months after the best-by date has passed.

Editorial Staff

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