Does Bottled Water Expire? What the Date Really Means
Bottled water doesn't spoil: the FDA says unopened water has no shelf life limit. What the date means, when to toss it and where to store it.
Not in the way milk does. The FDA has said there is no limit to the shelf life of bottled water that was produced properly and is still sealed, and federal law doesn't require an expiration date on it. That date stamped on your case is almost always the bottler's own quality marker, not a safety cutoff. How you store the bottles matters more than how old they are.
Still, plenty of people stare at a "best by" date on a forgotten case in the garage and wonder if it's safe. It's a fair worry. Water doesn't spoil, but plastic bottles, heat and nearby chemicals can change how it tastes and, in extreme cases, what's in it. Here's what regulators and Consumer Reports actually say.
Why does bottled water have an expiration date at all?
Consumer Reports looked at this in 2019 after Newark, New Jersey, started handing out bottled water during a lead crisis and some of it was past its "best by" date. An FDA spokesperson confirmed that, apart from infant formula, best-by and use-by dates aren't required by federal law and usually reflect the manufacturer's quality standards.
The industry trade group, the International Bottled Water Association, told CR that date-based lot codes help companies rotate stock at warehouses and stores. New Jersey once had a law requiring a two-year date on bottled water, but lawmakers repealed it, and the IBWA said there was no scientific evidence behind the requirement.
Is it safe to drink bottled water past the date?
If the bottle is sealed, stored sensibly and the water looks and smells normal, health officials say yes. Newark officials used the FDA's position to decide the outdated water was fine to drink.
FoodSafety.gov, run by the Department of Health and Human Services, adds one practical rule for emergency supplies: watch the expiration date on store-bought water, and if your bottled water has an odor, don't drink or use it. Throw it out, or call the company for a replacement.
What can go wrong with old bottled water?
The water itself doesn't go bad. The risks come from the container and the place it sat.
- Heat. Many bottles are made of PET plastic, which contains small amounts of antimony. In a 2007 study cited by Consumer Reports, water stored at 150°F took 38 days to show antimony above FDA limits, and at 167°F it took only five days. That's hotter than a normal house, but a car trunk in summer can get there.
- Sun. The IBWA says algae or mold can develop if bottles sit in direct sunlight or heat for a long time, though it says that rarely happens.
- Strong smells nearby. Plastic is slightly permeable. Gasoline, paint thinner and cleaning chemicals can seep through and change the taste and odor.
- Microplastics. A Penn State chemist told CR there's no data showing bottles shed more plastic because of time on the shelf.
One more thing worth knowing: the antimony studies showed levels unlikely to hurt someone from a single drink, according to CR's reading. They're a reason to store bottles smartly, not a reason to panic over a case from last year.
Where should you store bottled water?
Ready.gov's instruction is short: keep commercially bottled water in its sealed original container, in a cool, dark place. In practice:
| Good spot | Bad spot |
|---|---|
| Hall closet, under a bed, pantry shelf | Car trunk or garage in summer |
| Basement shelf, off the floor and away from flooding | Next to gasoline, paint or solvents |
| Inside the original case or sleeve | Window ledge or any sunny spot |
FoodSafety.gov also says to keep your emergency water where it's as safe as possible from flooding.
How often should you swap out emergency water?
For store-bought bottles, follow the printed date. For water you filled yourself, both Ready.gov and FoodSafety.gov say to replace it every six months. If you're building a supply from scratch, our guide on how much water to store for an emergency has the household math, with ways to treat water if you run out.
A simple habit: when you buy a new case, put it behind the old one, and drink or use the oldest bottles for everyday things like camping or the gym bag. Nothing goes to waste, and your stash stays fresh.
What if the bottles are old and you're not sure?
- Check the cap seal. If it's broken or loose, don't use it for drinking.
- Look at the water. Cloudiness, floating bits or green tint means toss it.
- Smell it. A chemical or musty odor means don't drink it.
- Think about where it's been. A hot car or a shelf next to gasoline is a reason to use it for plants instead.
- If it's your only water in an emergency, treating it by boiling for one minute is the safest fallback, per Ready.gov.
Water is just one part of being ready for a cold-weather outage. Because heating costs are rising too, you may also want our guide to lowering your electric bill this winter, and more plain-English guides sit in the explainers section.
Frequently asked questions
Does unopened bottled water expire?
Not for safety. The FDA has determined there's no limit to the shelf life of properly produced, unopened bottled water, and federal law doesn't require a date. The printed date is the bottler's quality marker.
Can you drink bottled water that's 2 years old?
Generally yes if it's sealed, was stored in a cool place and smells and looks normal. Taste can flatten over time, and heat or sunlight exposure is the main concern.
Is bottled water left in a hot car safe?
One occasional bottle is unlikely to hurt you, but Consumer Reports notes studies where heat released antimony from PET plastic. It's best not to store bottles in a hot car for days.
How often should I replace emergency water?
Follow the date on store-bought bottles. Ready.gov and FoodSafety.gov say water you bottled yourself should be replaced every six months.
Sources
- Consumer Reports: Can You Drink Expired Bottled Water? (Aug. 15, 2019)
- Ready.gov: Water
- FoodSafety.gov: Food Safety in a Disaster or Emergency
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