Is Mineral Water Still Drinkable After the Best Before Date?

When bottled mineral water has expired, can the water still be drunk?

Basically: If mineral water is stored in a cool and dark place, it can still be enjoyed a few months after the best-before date (MHD) has expired and can be drunk without hesitation. But you should test it. It can lead to changes in taste – at some point the mineral water tastes “stale”. Then it can possibly be used for watering flowers or cooking soup.

Background: If the bottles have been stored warm or even stood in the sun for a long time, microorganisms can multiply, since mineral water is not germ-free. This happens faster with still water than with sparkling water. The contained carbonic acid inhibits the growth of germs. There is also a difference here between glass and plastic bottles: the carbon dioxide lasts longer in glass bottles – so the period until the best-before date is longer than with PET bottles, which oxygen can penetrate more easily.