Does Jevity Need to Be Refrigerated After Opening?

November 15, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the manufacturer's official instructions, Jevity requires refrigeration after opening. This is a critical food safety protocol designed to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in the nutrient-rich liquid formula, ensuring its safety for oral or tube feeding.

Quick Summary

Jevity must be promptly refrigerated after opening to maintain safety and prevent microbial growth. Unused portions must be covered and used within 24 to 48 hours depending on the product, administration method, and manufacturer guidelines. Correct storage is essential for patient health.

Key Points

Refrigeration is Required: After opening, Jevity must be reclosed, refrigerated, and used within a specific timeframe to prevent microbial growth.
Time Limits Vary: The safe usage window is typically 24 to 48 hours after opening, depending on the product version and administration method (oral vs. tube feeding).
Oral Feeding Has Tighter Limits: If consuming directly from the 8 fl oz container, it must be refrigerated and consumed within 24 hours.
Handle with Care: Good hygiene, including washing hands and cleaning the container top, is vital to avoid contamination during preparation and use.
Discard After Time Limit: Any unused formula remaining after the recommended time limit, even if refrigerated, must be discarded for safety.
Room Temperature for Unopened Containers: Unopened Jevity should be stored at room temperature, away from extreme temperatures, until the printed expiration date.

Essential Jevity Refrigeration and Storage Guidelines

For anyone using Jevity, a medical nutritional supplement, understanding proper storage is not just a recommendation—it's a critical safety requirement. Just like other perishable products, once opened, Jevity becomes susceptible to microbial contamination. The nutrient-rich liquid provides an ideal environment for bacteria to multiply if not handled and stored correctly. Following the manufacturer's directions for refrigeration is paramount to safeguarding the user's health.

Why Refrigeration is Non-Negotiable

The primary reason for refrigerating Jevity is to prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms. When a sealed, sterile container is opened, it is exposed to the air, which contains bacteria and other microbes. While the formula is safe at room temperature when sealed, this stability is lost once the container is compromised. The low temperatures of a refrigerator (below 40°F or 5°C) significantly slow down or halt the proliferation of these bacteria, preserving the integrity and safety of the formula.

Different formats of Jevity have slightly different handling instructions, so it is crucial to check the packaging and the manufacturer's website for the most accurate guidance. Generally, the rules revolve around covering the opened container tightly and refrigerating it immediately. The time limit for use after opening is often between 24 and 48 hours, but this can vary depending on the product version and method of feeding.

Key Steps for Safe Jevity Handling

Wash your hands: Always begin by thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water before handling the Jevity container or feeding equipment.
Shake well: Before opening, vigorously shake the sealed container to ensure all the nutrients are evenly distributed.
Clean the top: Wipe the top of the container thoroughly with a clean cloth or wipe before opening to prevent surface contamination from entering the formula.
Transfer with care (if needed): If you are decanting the formula from a larger container, pour only the required amount into a clean measuring cup or enteral feeding container. Do not add new feed to an existing bag.
Refrigerate promptly: Immediately after opening, reseal or cover the container and place it in the refrigerator.
Use within timeframe: Adhere strictly to the recommended timeframe for consumption. For many Jevity products, this is 48 hours for a reclosed container, but can be as short as 24 hours for oral feeding directly from a container or certain feeding systems.
Discard unused portion: Any unused formula remaining after the specified period must be discarded to prevent the risk of infection.

Comparison Table: Jevity Storage for Different Administration Methods


Storage Scenario	Condition	Time Limit for Use	Key Instructions
Unopened Container	Stored at room temperature, away from extreme heat or cold.	Until the expiration date on the packaging.	Store in a cool, dry place. Check for any leakage before use.
Opened Container (Refrigerated)	The container is covered and stored in the refrigerator (less than 40°F).	Up to 48 hours for certain versions (e.g., Jevity 1.5 Cal cartons).	Close or cover the container tightly after opening and return to the fridge.
Oral Feeding Directly from Container	Sipping directly from a small 8 fl oz container.	24 hours.	Consume within 24 hours of first opening, even if refrigerated.
Open Feeding System (Bag)	Jevity poured into an enteral feeding bag.	4 to 8 hours (or up to 12 hours in some home settings).	Never 'top up' a bag with new formula; use a new bag every 24 hours.
Closed Feeding System (Ready-to-Hang)	Jevity pre-filled containers connected to a feeding set.	Up to 48 hours for initial connection using clean technique.	Handle carefully to avoid contamination. Check manufacturer instructions for specific hang times.

The Risks of Improper Storage

Leaving Jevity unrefrigerated after opening significantly increases the risk of bacterial contamination, which can lead to serious health issues for the user, especially those with compromised immune systems. The consequences can range from gastrointestinal distress like diarrhea and vomiting to more severe infections. The high sugar and protein content in nutritional formulas makes them an ideal breeding ground for bacteria at room temperature. Even if the formula does not look or smell spoiled, it can harbor dangerous microbes. Adhering to the 24-48 hour rule is non-negotiable for safety. For optimal patient care and safety, refer to the manufacturer's website for the most current product information and guidelines.

Conclusion

To ensure the safety and efficacy of Jevity nutritional formulas, refrigeration after opening is an absolute requirement. Unopened products are shelf-stable and can be stored at room temperature, but once the seal is broken, they become perishable and must be handled with care. Proper hygiene, prompt refrigeration, and strict adherence to the manufacturer's recommended usage window—typically 24 to 48 hours, depending on the feeding method—are essential practices. By following these guidelines, you can minimize the risk of microbial contamination and help ensure the well-being of the person using the nutritional supplement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Once opened, Jevity should be immediately reclosed and refrigerated. The amount of time it can be unrefrigerated is limited. For example, in an open feeding system, it should only hang for 4 to 8 hours. Leaving it out longer dramatically increases the risk of bacterial contamination.

If you forget to refrigerate an opened Jevity container, it is best to discard the product. The formula is a good medium for bacterial growth once exposed to air, and even if it looks and smells fine, it may harbor harmful microorganisms.

Yes, different Jevity products and packaging types can have different handling instructions. For instance, some 8 fl oz containers for oral use should be consumed within 24 hours of opening, while larger, reclosed containers may be safe for up to 48 hours.

You can serve refrigerated Jevity at room temperature. To do this, take it out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before feeding. Never heat Jevity in a microwave or boil it, as this can affect the nutritional composition and safety of the formula.

The storage and hang time can differ based on the feeding method. For oral feeding, the usage window after opening can be as short as 24 hours, especially when drinking directly from the container. For tube feeding, particularly with ready-to-hang systems, the hang time can be up to 48 hours with clean technique. Always follow the specific instructions for your method.

If you notice a leak, a dent, or any other damage to an unopened Jevity container, do not use it. The seal may be compromised, and the sterility of the contents cannot be guaranteed. You should contact the supplier or manufacturer for a replacement.

Yes, for open feeding systems where Jevity is poured into a feeding bag, the maximum hang time is much shorter, typically 4 to 8 hours in clinical settings or up to 12 hours for home use. This is due to the increased risk of bacterial contamination in the open system.