Can bottled water expired? Know why the expiry date is written on the water bottles [TKB Health]

Does water expire?

It is true that bottled water comes with an expiry date, although the water does not spoil itself. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates bottled water. But it is not legally required to write Shelf Life on bottled water. However, plastic can start to dissolve in bottled water after a time. When this happens, the water may taste bad or smell bad. Therefore, as a precaution, an expiry date from the manufacturing date is written on the bottles.

According to the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA), some companies put lot codes on water bottles according to the date. This helps in managing the stock rotation for distribution. These lot codes also help detect water contamination, product recalls and bottling errors. IBWA says that the lot codes written on the bottles according to the date, in fact, do not have an expiry date itself.

Disposable Bottle vs Reusable Bottle

Now the question arises whether we should use disposable bottles or reusable bottles again? So the answer is that using reusable bottles is also good for the pocket. For the environment, only 1 out of 5 bottles can be recycled. There is also another matter of concern. Storing bottled water for a long time can also pose a health hazard. Many water bottles still contain the chemical BPA, called bisphenol-A. However, the health effects of BPA are still debated. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, BPA can affect the body’s hormones.

Water bottles are for single-use only

Although plastic water bottles are made for single-use only, many of us refill and keep using them. These bottles may release chemicals if used repeatedly or left in the sun. The heat breaks the chemical bonds of the plastic and the chemical dissolves in the water. To avoid these chemicals, it is advisable to never reuse disposable bottles. Plastic gets spoiled with repeated use. Take BPA free plastic or stainless steel bottles only. IBWA says that to keep the water good, bottled water should not be stored in direct sunlight, but should be stored in a cool place.