The U.S. Food and Drug administration which regulates bottled water does not require a shelf life be listed but due to degradation of plastic over time, especially in heat we recommend two years for still water and one year for sparkling water.
While water doesn't expire, some concerns are associated with its plastic bottles. These vessels can produce health concerns and odd tastes as they degrade over time and microplastics enter the water. Properly storing water in your warehouse, office or facility may help mitigate these risks.
For the last 21 years, the FDA's stance has been that bottled water can last indefinitely if you store it properly.
It's safe to drink water out of plastic bottles without a risk of cancer even when the bottle has been left in hot cars, frozen or reused. There is no scientific evidence to dispute this.
Generally bottled water is considered safe to drink if refrigerated for about a week after it is opened. By drinking from the bottle you are infecting the water with bacteria. Since normal temperatures can fluctuate quite a bit, I'd recommend that you drink the unrefrigerated water within 1 day or discard it.
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. For best refreshment, you can recap your water and store in the fridge, out of sunlight to keep a crisp taste.
✅ What is the shelf life of unopened bottled water? The recommended shelf life of still water is 2 years and 1 year for sparkling. The FDA does not list shelf life requirements and water can be stored indefinitely however bottled water plastic leaches over time and can effect taste.
After 24 hours, it's likely that the chlorine will have evaporated and bacteria may begin to grow, although this depends on the amount of water, the temperature it's stored at, and the amount of chlorine in it.
This is due to the fact that plastic can leach into the water over time, resulting in chemical contamination that is toxic to the drinker.
In addition to concerns about bacteria, tests by Consumer Reports in 2020 found alarming levels of arsenic in some water in plastic bottles. A very small 2018 study by Frontiers in Chemistry also found microplastics - microscopic plastic fragments - in 93% of the 259 bottled water samples analysed.
This is because water has an indefinite expiration period, and depends mostly on how you store your bottled water. With that in mind, Water Boy recommends consuming any bottled water within 2 years of the manufactured date unless properly stored using the strategies below.
BLUE CAN Water offers a 50-year shelf life guarantee for its water products based on state-of-the-art manufacturing processes that meet or exceed standard FDA regulations and bottled water industry standards.
Plastic Bottles and Bacteria Growth
Plastic bottles can harbor harmful bacteria, which is why most manufacturers recommend you use them only once. In truth, bacterial growth in water bottles is a much bigger concern than chemical leaching.
The exposure of bottled water to sunlight leaches heavy metals into the water, thereby deteriorating its quality and this informed the study. Three plastic bottle brands (n = 100 per brand) were exposed to sunlight for different durations. The leaching of contaminants was exposure duration dependent.
“Mold thrives in moist environments,” said Dr. Wanda Phipatanakul, an immunologist who studies environmental allergens at Boston Children's Hospital. If water sits in your bottle for days, it can create a breeding ground for mold spores from the air and pipes in your house to settle and multiply, Dr. Phipatanakul said.
Commercially packaged water can be stored for about 5 years; home filled stored water should be changed annually. Stored water will go flat but can be aerated prior to consumption by pouring it between two containers a few times.
Several types of bacteria can grow in water bottles if they are not cleaned properly: E. coli: Often introduced from handling the bottle with unwashed hands.
According to Krogh, even an open glass of water that has been standing out for a number of days is safe to drink, provided it hasn't been contaminated with bacteria from dirty hands or saliva. It may taste flat and odd, but it is still safe to consume.
Is it safe to drink bottled water that is past its expiration date? It is established that water in bottles has no expiration date. However, it is recommended to consume within two years of manufacturing. Water in bottles should be colorless and odorless.
Make sure to allow the bottle to dry completely before reassembling. Remember, mold can grow in as little as 24 hours, so removing the water removes the ability for a spore to move into your bottle. If you can't clean the water bottle every day, aim for every other day at the minimum.
After opening bottled water, the shelf life decreases due to the increased risk of contamination. Although there's no definitive answer to how long opened bottled water lasts, consuming it within four to six days is generally recommended.
On its own, a clean glass of water should be perfectly fine to drink from if it's only been left out overnight. However, it can taste a bit off because exposure to carbon dioxide in the air can cause its pH to lower, resulting in a flatter flavor.
It is okay to drink water left overnight as long as it is sealed or closed properly. You can still drink water from a water bottle after a week if the bottle is clean and does not show any signs of mold build-up. However, the stock water in an open glass or bottle should not be consumed the next day.