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Can Protein Powder Go Bad?

Like any food, protein powder can go bad. The best-before date tells you when this is the case. Even if it is a dry product, the ingredients can spoil.

Protein powder can go bad

In Germany, every food item must have a best-before date (MHD). The same goes for your protein powder. However, that doesn’t mean your powder is immediately bad once the date is passed. The manufacturer then no longer guarantees the consistent quality of the product.

  • With a powder, you probably have a hard time imagining that it can go bad. After all, it is a dry product. In fact, it depends on the ingredients in your powder. Because in addition to proteins, your protein powder also contains flavorings and fats.
  • If your powder has exceeded the best before date, the proteins contained in the powder may lose their structure over time. However, this is not a problem for the effectiveness, since your body breaks down the proteins into their basic building blocks, the amino acids, anyway.
  • Protein powder comes in many different flavors. Therefore, they contain many different flavorings. The longer your powder sits around, the more likely the flavors will degrade and dissipate. As a result, the taste of your powder may change over time. This does not change anything about its effect on your body.
  • The older your powder is, the more likely it is that the fats it contains will decompose. Even though there is little fat in protein powders, the amount is enough for the supplement to spoil. The fats can go rancid.

Store protein powder properly

You should store your protein powder properly so that you don’t get any nasty surprises after your workout when you want to mix your protein shake. Most powders are supplied in resealable bags or cans. Some powders spoil shortly after the best-before date and others last months beyond that.

  • If you have accidentally consumed spoiled protein powder, it is very likely that your body will react with nausea or diarrhea. If you are unsure whether your powder is still edible or not, smell it first. If it smells the same, try a small amount first. If you procrastinate, chances are your powder isn’t spoiled.
  • In order for your protein powder to last as long as possible, you must ensure that it is stored in a dry place. Moisture causes clumping. This also makes it easier for microorganisms to penetrate your powder and spoil it. Therefore, never go into the packaging with a wet spoon.
  • You should definitely protect your powder from heat so that the proteins don’t break down faster. This is because heat accelerates these processes. It is therefore best to store the product in a cool place or at room temperature.
  • Be sure to always reseal your bags or jars right after you’ve taken your required amount. The oxygen in the air can cause the fats in the powder to go rancid faster and the product to spoil faster.

Protein powder FAQs

Can you still eat expired protein powder?

Protein powder that has only recently expired should probably be safe to consume. However, the longer the expiration date is past, the greater the chance that the protein powder is no longer good.

Does open protein powder go bad?

Even opened whey protein can still be consumed in terms of shelf life up to the best before date if it has been stored airtight and away from moisture. If the whey protein goes bad , it only becomes dangerous if mold has already formed.

How long can you keep protein powder?

How long does protein powder keep ? As a rule, a newly purchased protein powder has a best -before date that is at least one year in the future. Each pack must also show a date. You can usually find it on the label or on the neck or bottom of the can.

What does expired protein powder taste like?

If it smells or tastes unusual or unappetizing, this is a sign that it has already expired . If the powder clumps when you stir it, unwanted moisture has accumulated in it. In this case, you should no longer prepare the protein powder.

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Written by John Myers

Professional Chef with 25 years of industry experience at the highest levels. Restaurant owner. Beverage Director with experience creating world-class nationally recognized cocktail programs. Food writer with a distinctive Chef-driven voice and point of view.

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