How long does protein powder last and what should you pay attention to?
A long break from training, buying new products or forgetting the packaging in the cupboard - there are many reasons for asking: How long does protein powder last and what happens when it expires? If you regularly use protein powder in your everyday life, you may be wondering how long it lasts after opening the protein powder. But can protein powder actually go bad and which ingredients are affected by this? We explain how long protein powder lasts when opened and unopened and what role quality and storage play in its shelf life.
How long does protein powder last unopened?
Just like food, protein powder also has a best-before date , or MHD for short. As a rule, newly purchased protein powder has a shelf life of at least one year , provided it is unopened. The best-before date can be found on the product packaging, usually on the label, neck or bottom of the can. As with other foods, however, the same applies to protein powder: just because the best-before date has been passed does not mean that the product has automatically gone bad . The expiration date in the sense of the MHD is often equated with the use-by date. Unlike the use-by date, the MHD simply indicates that the quality of the powder is guaranteed up to this point in time. After the expiration date, the manufacturer can no longer guarantee that the product will be of the same quality as before and that it has not gone bad. With the use-by date, on the other hand, food must not be consumed after it has passed. This is mainly found on perishable products such as meat or fish.
Since high-quality products are delivered in tight screw-top containers and are dry products, there is not much to worry about when it comes to the shelf life of this protein powder - especially as long as it is unopened. Of course, the correct storage and handling of the product should always be observed. It does not matter whether the protein powder contains protein from whey or casein or a combination of both.
How long does protein powder last after opening?
The situation is a little different when it comes to protein powder and shelf life once the package has been opened. How long the powder lasts in open cans depends primarily on the correct storage . Basically, you should always close the container of your protein powder tightly to avoid jeopardizing its shelf life. This is of course easier with cans or containers with a screw cap than with a bag or other package without a lid. If you have bought a large amount of protein powder in a bag, you can also transfer it to a container with a screw cap to improve its shelf life.
In addition, you should not only store your protein powder in an airtight container, but also protect it from moisture . If the powder becomes damp, mold can form. You should also make sure that as few bacteria as possible get into the container. This can be avoided by maintaining sufficient hygiene, for example by not digging your hands into the powder for the measuring spoon. Of course, bacteria cannot be completely avoided, but their growth can be significantly reduced if you ensure that the protein powder is handled hygienically.
Shelf life of protein powder: What is important when storing it?
Proper storage is important for the shelf life of protein powder, whether it is open or in its original packaging. There are three main factors that are important here:
1. Store protein powder in a dry place
Storing protein powder in a dry place is crucial for its shelf life. Moisture not only causes the powder to clump , but also encourages the proliferation of bacteria and the formation of mold . For this reason, the package should always be tightly closed and under no circumstances should powder be taken out with a wet or damp spoon.
2. Seal the container airtight
Proteins and fats can oxidize due to oxygen . This causes proteins to lose their structure and the fat can become rancid. To avoid this, you should always close the container of your protein powder tightly. This not only protects your powder from oxidation, but also prevents moisture from penetrating.
3. Make sure to store it in a cool place
Protein powder does not need to be refrigerated. This does not improve its shelf life, even after opening. However, cool storage is important, although normal room temperature is not a problem for the powder. For our MORE PROTEIN, we recommend storing it below 25 °C and protected from sunlight . The simple reason for this is that heat can have a negative effect on the stability of the proteins . In this case, the protein powder can lose its effectiveness .
Which ingredients in protein powder can go bad after the expiration date?
Are there any ingredients in protein powder that can spoil? Since protein powder made from whey or casein is a very dry product , it is generally less susceptible to spoilage. However, if the package has been open for a long time or has been stored incorrectly , protein powder can also expire or spoil. In this case, three components are particularly affected:
- The proteins themselves
The protein in protein powder changes its structure over time, as the proteins oxidize under the influence of oxygen and can also partially lose their stability. However, this is not harmful to health or affect the shelf life of the protein powder. If the protein powder has already been opened and stored for a very long time, the proteins can potentially lose their effect in terms of biological value.
- Flavors
Protein powders always contain flavorings to improve the taste. The added flavors can evaporate over time, which causes the taste of the protein powder to change. It may simply taste weaker over time, or it may take on a strange taste. This case is not a health risk, but rather affects the enjoyment.
- Fats
Although the proportion is very small (in our MORE PROTEIN, for example, a maximum of 5 g per 100 g, depending on the variety), every protein powder also contains fat. If stored incorrectly or the best-before date is exceeded for a long time, the fats can go rancid. In this case, the risk of intolerance increases. This can have an impact on health and lead to, for example, stomach pain or nausea.
In addition to proper storage, the quality of the ingredients used is also helpful for the shelf life of protein powders. If you use high-quality protein powders, you will not only benefit from better taste, but usually also from better shelf life.
Can you still use expired protein powder?
As already mentioned, exceeding the expiration date does not immediately mean that the protein powder has gone bad. The shelf life of protein powder depends on various factors: In addition to storage, the quality of the ingredients also has an influence. Therefore, it cannot be said in general that expired powder must be disposed of immediately. Before you use expired protein powder, you should test whether the product is still edible.
Here's how you can check if your protein powder is still good:
- Look closely at the powder, smell it and maybe try a small amount. If the powder tastes normal, it is probably still edible.
- Check whether the powder is clumping and whether moisture has gotten into the container. If this is the case, it may also be contaminated by bacteria and spoiled.
- Has the color of the powder changed or are there signs of mold? If this is the case, the protein powder is probably no longer good.
If your protein powder has expired, it can't hurt to rely on your sense of taste and smell and check the powder carefully. However, if you are unsure , you should not take any risks and throw the protein powder away.
What can happen if you consume expired protein powder?
The question of how long you can store protein powder is not the only thing that concerns many people. What happens if you drink a shake with expired protein powder, for example, is also a common one. Experiences with the shelf life of protein powder vary considerably. While some people can tolerate a product even two years after the best-before date without any problems, others have problems just a few months after the expiration date. This does not only depend on the product in question, but also on individual sensitivity and how the powder is stored .
If you have drunk a protein shake with spoiled powder despite checking the smell and taste beforehand, this is not immediately a cause for concern. The most likely cause is that the protein powder has simply lost its taste and solubility . However, if bacteria or mold have multiplied due to moisture, diarrhea and stomach problems can occur after consumption. Overall, the risk of food poisoning from spoiled protein powder is rather unlikely.
Conclusion: Can you extend the shelf life of protein powder?
Basically, there is no secret tip on how to extend the shelf life of protein powder. However, you can pay attention to a few things to keep your protein powder fresh for as long as possible. As with taste and tolerability, it also makes sense to rely on high-quality products for reasons of shelf life. Rely on manufacturers who provide a transparent overview of the ingredients and whose products have not been lying around in the warehouse for a long time. With our MORE PROTEIN, you can therefore also see the results of regular analyses from independent testing laboratories to convince yourself of the quality of our products. We also have our own production and can therefore regularly produce fresh products. This avoids long storage times and gives you the freshest possible product with a long shelf life.
With high-quality protein powder, you can help extend its shelf life by storing it correctly and handling the product hygienically . Store the powder according to the manufacturer's instructions, dry, airtight and out of direct sunlight and do not use damp measuring spoons for portioning - then you will definitely enjoy your protein powder for a long time. A good storage place is your pantry, for example - a bad one would be the bathroom.