How Long Until Athletic Greens Expire? Your Complete Shelf Life Guide

December 21, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the manufacturer, an opened pouch of Athletic Greens, known as AG1, must be used within 90 days to ensure the included probiotics and nutrients retain their maximum potency. This critical deadline is just one of several factors that determine the true shelf life and effectiveness of the green superfood powder.

Quick Summary

The shelf life of Athletic Greens depends on its state: unopened pouches have a printed expiration date, while opened ones require refrigeration and must be used within 90 days to preserve potency. Improper storage or consumption past these periods can significantly reduce the product's nutritional value, particularly the sensitive probiotics and enzymes.

Key Points

90-Day Window: Opened pouches of Athletic Greens must be refrigerated and consumed within 90 days to maintain maximum potency.
Check the Date: For unopened products and travel packs, refer to the expiration date printed on the packaging.
Refrigerate Immediately: After opening, refrigeration is critical to preserve the integrity of live probiotics and digestive enzymes.
Spot Spoilage: Discard the product if you notice changes in color, smell, taste, or texture, as these are signs of ingredient degradation.
Potency is the Issue: Consuming expired powder is not inherently dangerous but means you are receiving fewer active nutrients and diminished health benefits.
Avoid Moisture: Keep the container tightly sealed and use a dry scoop to prevent clumping caused by moisture absorption.
Trust the Canister: Transferring the powder to the provided airtight canister helps protect it from oxygen exposure after opening.

The Dual Shelf Life of AG1: Unopened vs. Opened

Understanding when your Athletic Greens are no longer at peak freshness depends entirely on whether the package has been opened. The company specifies different timelines to protect the product's complex, nutrient-dense formula. For an unopened pouch of AG1, the expiration date is clearly printed on the packaging. The hermetic seal of the pouch protects the ingredients from environmental exposure, meaning it does not need to be refrigerated until opened. This initial, airtight packaging allows for a long shelf life, often over a year, provided the product is stored correctly in a cool, dry place. Unopened travel packs, which are individually sealed, also remain stable at room temperature until the printed date.

Once opened, however, a countdown begins. The moment the seal is broken, the delicate blend of probiotics, digestive enzymes, and other whole-food-sourced ingredients becomes vulnerable to oxygen and moisture. To counteract this, Athletic Greens explicitly recommends refrigerating the pouch immediately after opening and using it within 90 days. This is a crucial step for maintaining the viability of the live microorganisms and the full efficacy of the powder.

The Science Behind AG1 Potency and Degradation

The expiration date on any supplement is typically a conservative estimate of when it will start to lose potency, not when it becomes toxic. With AG1, this is particularly important due to the inclusion of live probiotics and sensitive vitamins. Over time, and especially when exposed to heat, light, and humidity, the active ingredients in the powder degrade.

Factors That Accelerate Potency Loss

Moisture: Humidity is a primary enemy of powdered supplements. Moisture exposure can lead to clumping, which is a sign of degradation and can reduce the stability of the ingredients. This is why keeping the pouch tightly sealed and using a dry scoop is vital.
Heat: High temperatures can kill the live probiotics in AG1 and accelerate the breakdown of enzymes and vitamins. This is a key reason for the refrigeration requirement after opening.
Oxygen: Exposure to air causes oxidation, which degrades nutrients like vitamin C and other antioxidants. The airtight seal of the original packaging prevents this until you open it.

Why Proper Storage is Crucial for Maximum Freshness

To ensure you are getting the most out of your investment in Athletic Greens, follow these storage best practices:

Refrigerate After Opening: Place the opened AG1 pouch in the refrigerator as soon as possible to keep the probiotics and enzymes alive.
Use the Canister: Transferring the powder from the pouch to the provided airtight canister is recommended to minimize oxygen exposure during use.
Seal Tightly: Always ensure the pouch or canister is tightly sealed after each use. A loose lid allows moisture and air to enter.
Use a Dry Scoop: Use only a clean, dry scoop to measure out the powder to avoid introducing any moisture.
Avoid Heat Sources: Never store AG1 near ovens, dishwashers, or in a hot car, even before opening, as this can compromise the hermetic seal.
Consume Within 90 Days: Adhering to the three-month rule after opening is the best way to guarantee you're benefiting from the intended potency.

Spotting the Signs of Spoiled Athletic Greens

If you have forgotten to refrigerate your open pouch or are unsure if an unopened package past its expiry is still good, there are clear signs to look for:

Changes in Color: Fresh AG1 powder has a vibrant green color. If it appears duller, brown, or discolored, it may be degrading.
Foul or "Off" Odor: A rancid or unusual smell is a sure sign of spoilage. Trust your nose—the natural ingredients should have a fresh, plant-like aroma.
Altered Texture: While some minor clumping is normal, excessive moisture can turn the powder into hard, solid clumps or a sticky texture. If you can't easily break the clumps apart, the product is likely compromised.
Unusual Taste: If the powder tastes significantly different or bitter, the ingredients have degraded, and you should discard it.
Mold: Any sign of visible mold is an immediate red flag. Do not consume.

Is Expired AG1 Safe to Drink?

While it is generally not dangerous to consume a supplement slightly past its 'best by' date, especially if it was stored properly, the main issue is a significant loss of potency. Taking expired AG1, which has sensitive probiotics and vitamins, means you are not receiving the full nutritional benefits advertised. The product simply becomes a less effective version of itself over time. Therefore, to ensure you are getting the most value and health benefits, it is best to adhere to the recommended timelines. If any of the signs of spoilage mentioned above are present, always err on the side of caution and dispose of the product.

Maximizing Your Investment: A Comparison Guide


Feature	Unopened Athletic Greens	Opened Athletic Greens
Storage	Cool, dry place, away from light and heat. Does not require refrigeration.	Must be refrigerated immediately after opening. Can be stored in the provided canister.
Shelf Life	Until the expiration date printed on the package.	Up to 90 days after opening, regardless of the printed expiration date.
Potency	Guaranteed up to the printed expiration date if stored correctly.	At its highest for the first 90 days after opening due to live probiotics and sensitive ingredients.
Best Practice	Rotate stock to use before the printed date.	Adhere strictly to the 90-day refrigeration rule for optimal efficacy.
Signs of Spoilage	Rare, but check for compromised packaging.	Changes in color, smell, taste, or texture, and excessive clumping.

Conclusion: Prioritize Potency for Optimal Results

To answer the question of how long until Athletic Greens expire, the answer is multi-faceted. Unopened pouches are safe and effective until the printed date, assuming proper storage. Once opened, however, the clock starts ticking with a strict 90-day window during which the product's full nutritional power is best preserved by refrigeration. While consuming slightly past the 'best by' date is unlikely to cause harm, it will result in diminished returns on your investment as sensitive ingredients like probiotics lose their efficacy. By paying close attention to the storage guidelines and using your senses to check for spoilage, you can ensure you are getting the maximum benefit from every scoop of AG1.

For more information on the product, you can visit the official AG1 website..

Frequently Asked Questions

No, an unopened pouch of Athletic Greens does not need to be refrigerated. It is designed to be shelf-stable until the printed expiration date, thanks to its hermetic seal. Refrigeration is only required after the pouch has been opened.

If you forgot to refrigerate your opened AG1, the company states it is likely still safe to use as long as it wasn't exposed to prolonged or direct heat and shows no signs of spoilage, such as a bad smell or color change. Put it in the fridge as soon as you remember.

No, it is not considered effective to drink expired Athletic Greens. While it may not be harmful, the nutritional potency, especially the live probiotics and sensitive vitamins, decreases significantly over time. For optimal results, it is best to use it before the expiration or 90-day window.

You can tell if your AG1 powder has gone bad by checking for signs of spoilage. This includes an off or rancid smell, a change in color from its vibrant green, unusual taste, or hard clumping. If you notice any of these indicators, you should discard it.

Clumping in greens powder is often caused by moisture absorption. This happens if the pouch or canister is not sealed tightly, or if a wet scoop was used. While some clumping isn't necessarily a sign of spoilage, it indicates that the product's integrity has been compromised by moisture.

Athletic Greens recommends consuming AG1 within 20 minutes of mixing with cold water for optimal efficacy. After that timeframe, the probiotics and other sensitive ingredients may begin to lose their effectiveness, so it's best to prepare it fresh.

AG1 Travel Packs have a different shelf life than the pouch. They are individually sealed and do not require refrigeration. You should use them before the specific expiration date printed on each packet, as they are designed to be shelf-stable for convenience.