How to Check the Expiry Date of Supplements?

January 4, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), supplements do not require an expiration date on their labels, yet most manufacturers voluntarily include one. Learning how to check the expiry date of supplements is crucial for ensuring you receive the full intended benefits and are not consuming degraded or potentially contaminated products.

Quick Summary

This guide explains where to locate expiration and best-by dates on supplements, differentiates between various date markings, and outlines what happens to supplements after they expire. It also offers essential tips for proper storage and disposal to maintain product potency and safety.

Key Points

Locate the Date: Find the expiration date (EXP, Best By, or Use By) printed on the bottle's bottom, cap, or label, as formats like MM/YY can vary.
Differentiate Dates: Understand that 'Best By' and 'Use By' dates indicate peak quality and potency, not necessarily safety, while 'EXP' is a more definitive expiration.
Trust Your Senses: Discard any supplement that shows physical changes like a strange smell, discoloration, mold, or clumping, regardless of the printed date.
Mind the Lot Number: Use the lot number (LOT) to trace product batches and confirm the date with the manufacturer if it's illegible.
Store Properly: Preserve potency by storing supplements in a cool, dark, dry place, away from heat, humidity, and direct light.
Dispose Safely: Mix expired supplements with an undesirable substance like coffee grounds before discarding in the trash, or utilize a local take-back program.
Prioritize Potency: For essential nutrient needs (e.g., pregnancy), always use fresh, unexpired supplements to ensure maximum potency and effectiveness.

Understanding Supplement Expiration Dates

For many consumers, the expiration date on a supplement bottle is a source of confusion. Unlike prescription medications, which have legally mandated expiration dates based on safety and potency, the dietary supplement industry operates under different rules. The date on your supplement, often labeled as "EXP," "Best By," or "Use By," is typically the manufacturer's guarantee that the product will maintain its stated potency up to that point, provided it has been stored correctly. This means that while a supplement might not become toxic the day after its expiration date, its effectiveness is no longer guaranteed.

Where to Find the Expiry Date

Finding the date on your supplement bottle is usually straightforward, but its placement can vary by brand. Here are the most common places to look:

On the bottom of the bottle: This is one of the most frequent locations for the date to be stamped or printed directly onto the plastic or glass.
On the label: The date may be printed alongside the barcode or other product information. In some cases, a double-layer label may contain additional information, requiring you to peel back the top layer to find it.
Stamped on the cap: Some manufacturers print the date directly onto the lid of the bottle.
Near the neck of the bottle: For certain product shapes, the date and batch number might be printed in this area.

How to Decipher Date Formats

Manufacturers use different formats for their dates. Here are some common examples:

MM/YY or MM/YYYY: This is the most common format, showing the month and year. For example, a date of "07/25" means it expires at the end of July 2025.
DDMMYY or MMDDYY: A six-digit code is also used, where the first pair of digits is the day or month, and the last two are the year. Always check the packaging for a key, or refer to the manufacturer's website if you are unsure.
Following an abbreviation: Look for keywords like "EXP," "Best By," or "Use By" to indicate the date.

The Difference Between "Expiration" and "Best By"

It is important to understand what the various date markings signify, as they do not all imply the same thing.


Feature	Expiration Date (EXP)	Best By/Use By Date
Purpose	Guarantees the product's full potency and safety until the specified date.	Indicates the date until which the product is expected to be at its peak quality, taste, or freshness, but not necessarily safety.
Potency after date	May start to diminish slightly after the date passes, but is not guaranteed.	Potency or quality may start to decline after this date, but the product is generally still safe.
Significance	More critical for supplements with delicate, active ingredients like probiotics or liquid formulations.	Often found on supplements with more stable ingredients, like mineral tablets, where potency degradation is slower.

Beyond the Label: Your Senses and the Lot Number

If the date is missing, smudged, or your supplement appears questionable, trust your senses and check the lot number. A lot number (often abbreviated as "LOT") is a unique identifier assigned to a specific production batch. This number can help a manufacturer track and identify the date if you contact their customer service. Additionally, if your supplement has an unusual smell, has changed color or texture, or shows signs of clumping or mold, it should be discarded immediately, regardless of the date on the bottle.

Factors that Affect Shelf Life

Proper storage is critical for a supplement's shelf life. Environmental factors can accelerate the degradation of ingredients, reducing their potency and effectiveness long before the printed date.

Heat: Storing supplements in hot, humid environments like a bathroom cabinet or near a stove can cause ingredients to break down faster.
Light: Direct sunlight or strong artificial light can damage light-sensitive nutrients, like certain vitamins. Always store supplements in their original, opaque containers.
Moisture: Humidity can cause powders to clump and gummies to melt or stick together, creating an environment for potential mold growth.
Air: Oxygen exposure, especially after the seal is broken, can cause ingredients to oxidize and lose their potency. This is particularly true for liquid supplements and fatty acids like omega-3s.

When and How to Dispose of Expired Supplements

For supplements that have passed their prime, proper disposal is essential. Simply tossing them in the trash or flushing them can harm the environment. The FDA recommends these steps for safe disposal:

Mix with an undesirable substance: Place the pills or powder in a sealed bag or container and mix with something unappealing like used coffee grounds or cat litter.
Seal and discard: Seal the bag and throw it in the household trash.
Use take-back programs: Check for local medication take-back programs or events in your area for an even safer method of disposal.

Conclusion

Knowing how to check the expiry date of supplements is a simple but vital step toward getting the most out of your nutritional regimen. While expired supplements are unlikely to become toxic, their decreasing potency means you might not be getting the full benefits you expect. Always locate the "EXP" or "Best By" date on the container, store products correctly to maximize their shelf life, and trust your senses. When in doubt, it is always best to purchase a new bottle to ensure you are consuming a high-quality, fully potent supplement. A diligent approach to checking dates and proper storage protects your health and your investment in wellness products.

This article provides general information and does not constitute medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most expired supplements are not considered toxic or dangerous to take, but their potency decreases over time. Taking them may not provide the full health benefits you expect, especially if you have a specific nutrient deficiency.

After the expiration date, supplements gradually lose their effectiveness as the active ingredients degrade. Taking them may result in a reduced dosage of the intended nutrients, but it is not typically harmful unless there are signs of spoilage.

The expiration date is commonly printed or stamped on the bottom of the bottle, on the product label near the barcode, or on the cap. Some manufacturers may use an abbreviated format, so look for "EXP," "Best By," or "Use By".

No, the FDA does not require manufacturers to list an expiration date on dietary supplements. However, many reputable companies voluntarily include one to guarantee potency and quality up to that date.

To preserve a supplement's potency, store it in its original, sealed container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. Avoid storing them in bathrooms or kitchens.

The lot number, often labeled as "LOT," is a unique code assigned to a specific batch of products manufactured at the same time. It is used by the manufacturer for tracking, quality control, and potential recalls.

If the expiration date is illegible or rubbed off, it is best to discard the product. You can attempt to contact the manufacturer with the lot number for more information, but replacing it is the safest option.