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Expired Vitamins: To Toss or Not to Toss?

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You might start taking vitamins daily with the best intentions, but as time passes, you may skip a few days here and there. Eventually, you might notice your vitamins are past their expiration dates. Even if they don’t seem spoiled at first glance, consuming them can feel unsettling, yet throwing them away feels wasteful. So, can you still take these expired vitamins?

How do you properly store supplements?

The best way to store multivitamins is to keep them in a cool, dry place away from heat and sunlight. Some people store them in bathroom cabinets or kitchens, but these areas should be avoided due to high humidity. Also, places exposed to heat and light can decrease the efficacy of some vitamins over time, making them less ideal storage locations.

Vitamins have different lifespans

The shelf life of vitamins varies by manufacturer, but generally, unopened vitamins are good for 2-3 years from the manufacture date, while opened vitamins should ideally be consumed within a year. Typically, vitamins A, C, and E are more prone to spoilage and have shorter shelf life, while vitamins B and D tend to have longer shelf life.

The difference between expiration date and shelf life

The expiration date refers to the timeline within which the seller can sell the product to the consumer, and it also means that the product is safe to consume within this period. On the other hand, the shelf life refers to the ultimate date until the food is deemed secure. While adhering to the expiration date is essential, the shelf life can vary depending on storage methods and isn’t a significant concern.

Be careful not to spoil in the summer

Omega-3, known to help with vascular health, is a supplement refined from fish oil that may spoil if exposed to high temperatures. Beyond destroying simple nutrients, it can develop an unpleasant odor if it is exposed to room temperature for a long time during the summer. At this point, it should be discarded without hesitation.

Supplements that need to be refrigerated

Some supplements are especially sensitive to heat and need to be refrigerated. Probiotics, for example, are temperature-sensitive. While the same probiotics can have different strains and formulations, some are recommended for room-temperature storage. However, if the temperature exceeds 80°F, the lactic acid bacteria can be destroyed, so refrigeration is required.

What if the vitamin is in a soft capsule form?

If the supplement is in a soft capsule form, it’s best to discard it, even if it’s unopened. Soft capsules have a jelly-like texture and contain liquid ingredients. If stored improperly, the medication can spoil. Even if individually packaged in aluminum PTP, the high thermal conductivity of the aluminum packaging can cause soft capsules to melt.

Do we have to throw away expired vitamins?

Expired multivitamins are not likely to pose a severe risk. However, vitamins degrade over time and may not deliver the promised nutritional content. While the efficacy may decrease, and it’s recommended not to take them, they are safe to consume as long as they are not spoiled or rotten.

What if you accidentally consumed expired vitamins?

If you’ve consumed expired vitamins, watch for hypersensitivity reactions such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, headache, and fatigue. Just because the expiration date has passed doesn’t mean you should automatically throw them away. How they were stored is crucial. If the vitamins are stored well, even past the expiration date, they are safe to consume. This includes vitamins that have not been opened and stored in a moisture-free location, between 34°F and 86°F.

How to dispose of expired vitamins

The safest way to get rid of expired vitamins is to dispose of them properly, not by simply throwing them in the trash but by placing them in a pharmaceutical waste collection bin. If they are thrown out as regular trash and end up in a landfill, they can seep into the sewage system, causing environmental pollution and disrupting the ecosystem. Pharmaceutical waste bins can be easily found at pharmacies, health centers, and community centers.

Are there any other uses instead of throwing them away?

There are ways to utilize expired vitamins instead of throwing them away. First, check that they have not spoiled. Vitamins mainly contain sugar, cornstarch, gelatin, and starch, which can be ground or liquefied. They can be added to cosmetics, soaps, detergents, and more or recycled into fertilizer for plants, massage oils, and facial packs.

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