How Long Does Protein Powder Last?

Last Updated 3 years ago

The shelf life of your protein powder will depend on what type you have purchased and what it is mixed or flavoured with.

Technically supplement manufacturers do not have to include an expiration date on their products, though many will give a voluntary expiration or ‘best before’ stamp alongside the date it was manufactured.

As a general example though, whey protein powder will last anywhere between nine and 19 months when stored correctly. Storing your protein powder somewhere dry and cool will maximise its longevity.

Kitchen cupboards, desk drawers or wardrobes in the bedroom are all good options for dark and cool storage and will prevent your supplements from coming into contact with water, heat and sunlight.

The majority of protein powders contain additives that extend the shelf life by up to two years.

On the whole, out of date protein powder is still safe to use for around six months after the printed expiry date.

How long a tub or bag of protein powder lasts will depend on each individual’s useage requirements but a one-kilogram pack typically has 30 servings, lasting the user a month.

So the chances are, you’ll run out of protein powder long before you get anywhere near the expiry date.

Plus, when we talk about the shelf life, it is less about whether the product will make you sick and more about how long it will retain optimal quality after production.

Most testing has been done on whey protein but given their makeup, it’s likely that other proteins will be similar if they are stored under the same conditions.

Protein powder is a low-moisture product, meaning it isn’t particularly prone to bacterial growth.

And because it is almost devoid of any water content it doesn’t spoil the same way that dairy-based products usually would.

As such, the the ‘best before’ date will be an indicator of quality more than food safety. Consuming it shortly after its expiration date is safe enough but note that protein powders can lose protein content with age.

This is down to a chemical reaction called Maillard Browning. Without getting scientific, it is basically when protein reacts with sugar left over from when the whey was removed from milk. This results in a steady breakdown of the amino acid lysine.

One study showed that the amino acid lysine in whey protein decreased from 5.5% to 4.2% in 12 months.

Once lysine is lost, the powder won’t do its job, as it isn’t a complete source of protein.

However in that particular study, the powder didn’t contain any of the typical additives (such as maltodextrin, lecithin, and salt) that are used to extend shelf life.

When stored at high temperatures, protein powders can oxidise too, which causes an undesirable change in taste and damages the quality of them.

Obvious signs that it’s time to toss your tub is a bitter taste, change in colour, clumping or funny smell.

Soy, egg or milk-based powders will smell more than their plant-based counterparts if they’ve gone bad. If there’s no moisture and the powder doesn’t smell funky, then simply put a little bit on your finger and taste it.

In reality, unless you’ve had it sitting around open for well over a year, your protein powder is unlikely to give off any sort of odour. Your issue is more likely to be your shaker starting to smell.

Even after repeated washes they can start to smell a little off – particularly if you find it a few days after using it in the bottom of your gym bag.

Some top tips for getting it back to its former glory include:

• rinsing it out with hot water – the closer to boiling the better.
• fill your shaker with warm water then add a teaspoon of baking powder and shake vigorously.
• putting it through the dishwasher twice, but only as long as it is dishwasher safe.
• fill it up with hot water, pour in a bit of vinegar, stir it around and let it sit for a while.
• switch to non-dairy milk and/or plant-based protein powders.
• try using a glass container to drink from instead, as they hold on to smells far less.

And remember to always keep your protein drink in a sealed shaker or container in the fridge once made.

It will last for up to two days as long as it’s kept cold and can just be given an extra shake before drinking to remove any lumps.