How to Tell If Prime is Expired with Sensory Checks

January 4, 2026 •

4 min read

Did you know that beverages with a 'Best By' date indicate peak quality, not food safety? Learning how to tell if Prime is expired relies on a simple combination of checking the date code and trusting your senses for signs of spoilage.

Quick Summary

Find out how to read date codes on Prime drink bottles and cans. This guide covers the difference between 'Best By' and 'Use By' dates and teaches you key visual and sensory cues to determine if your Prime beverage is past its prime.

Key Points

Check the Date Code: The 'Best By' date is typically printed on the bottle's neck or can's bottom, often in a MMDDYY or Julian format.
Trust Your Senses: An 'off' smell, flat taste, or unusual appearance like sediment are clear indicators that the Prime drink may be expired.
Understand 'Best By' vs. 'Use By': 'Best By' indicates optimal quality, while 'Use By' is a safety measure for perishable goods; Prime falls under the quality guideline.
Heed the Packaging: If the bottle is bloated, leaking, or the seal is broken, do not consume the contents, regardless of the date code.
Prioritize Safety Over Saving: While a slightly past 'Best By' date might be safe, any sensory sign of spoilage means it should be discarded to avoid health risks.

Finding the 'Best By' Date on a Prime Drink

Unlike perishable items with strict 'Use By' dates, Prime beverages typically feature a 'Best By' date, which signals the period of peak freshness. Over time, the flavor, color, and effervescence (for Energy drinks) may degrade, but the drink may not become unsafe to consume immediately after this date. However, it is always safer to err on the side of caution. Locating this date is the first step in your check.

Where to look for the date

Since Prime drinks come in both bottles and cans, the date code location can vary. Your search should begin in these areas:

For bottles: Check the neck of the bottle, near the cap. The date is often printed directly onto the bottle itself.
For cans: Look on the bottom of the can for a stamped or laser-etched code. For multi-packs, the 'Best By' date might only be printed on the exterior packaging.

Deciphering the date code

Manufacturers use different formats for their date codes. While a simple MMDDYY (Month-Day-Year) format is common, some may use a Julian date code or a combination of letters and numbers. If the format is confusing, contact Prime's customer service via their official website for clarification. For drinks with a Julian date code, the first three digits represent the day of the year, and the last digit or two represent the year.

Relying on Sensory Indicators of Spoilage

Beyond the 'Best By' date, your senses are the most reliable tool for determining if a drink is bad. Signs of spoilage are a clear signal that the beverage should be discarded, regardless of the printed date.

Visual inspection

Before even opening the container, a visual check can reveal issues. A sealed bottle or can should be intact. Look for:

Bloated or leaking packaging: This could indicate microbial activity inside the container, causing pressure to build up from fermentation.
Cloudiness or discoloration: The liquid should be clear and have a consistent color. If it's cloudy, murky, or has changed color, it's likely spoiled.
Sediment: While some settling can occur naturally, excessive or strange-looking sediment at the bottom could be a sign of decay.

Smell and taste test

Once the container is open, a sniff test is crucial. The drink should smell like its advertised flavor. A foul or "off" smell is a strong indicator of spoilage. The final check is a small sip. If the taste is sour, bitter, or otherwise unusual, it's a definite sign to discard the beverage immediately. Drinking spoiled beverages can cause digestive issues like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Comparison: Prime Drink's 'Best By' vs. 'Use By' Dates

To avoid confusion, it's important to understand the different types of dates found on food and beverage packaging.


Feature	'Best By' Date (Typical for Prime Drinks)	'Use By' Date (For Perishable Goods)
Purpose	Quality guideline; indicates peak freshness and flavor.	Safety guideline; indicates when a product is no longer safe to eat or drink.
Effect	Quality (taste, carbonation) may decline, but the product is often still safe to consume after the date.	After this date, the product can degrade quickly and pose a health risk.
Example	Shelf-stable beverages, canned goods.	Fresh dairy products, refrigerated meat.
Action	Use sensory judgment; discard if any signs of spoilage exist.	Discard the product after this date to avoid health risks.

The Health Risks of Consuming Expired Drinks

While the 'Best By' date is not a hard deadline for safety, consuming a beverage that shows signs of spoilage carries risks. Chemical compounds in the drink can degrade over time, and a compromised seal could allow bacteria and mold to grow. In the case of bottled water, the plastic itself can degrade, potentially releasing harmful chemicals into the water. Healthline notes that drinking spoiled milk, for example, can cause stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. The same principle applies to any spoiled beverage. It is never worth the risk of foodborne illness to consume a questionable drink. When in doubt, always discard it.

Conclusion: How to Tell if Prime is Expired

To definitively know how to tell if Prime is expired, follow a two-step process: check the 'Best By' date and perform a sensory inspection. First, locate the date code on the neck or bottom of the container and decipher its meaning. Next, visually inspect the product for any signs of bloating, discoloration, or sediment. Finally, trust your senses of smell and taste. Any unpleasant odor or off-flavor is a clear signal that the beverage has spoiled and should be discarded immediately to avoid health risks. When it comes to your health, your own judgment is the most important factor.

Visit the official Prime Hydration website for FAQ information.

Frequently Asked Questions

The 'Best By' date is typically located on the neck of the bottle, near the cap, or on the bottom of the can.

Not necessarily, but its quality (flavor, carbonation) will degrade. If you notice any sensory signs of spoilage like a bad smell or taste, it is a health risk and should be discarded.

Over time, the flavor can diminish, and carbonated versions may lose their fizz. Sediment might also settle at the bottom. In rare cases, if the seal was compromised, bacteria or mold could grow.

There is no definitive timeframe. Its safety and quality depend on storage conditions and the integrity of the seal. Always use your senses—if it smells or tastes 'off,' it's best to throw it out.

Yes, if the drink has spoiled, consuming it can potentially cause foodborne illness. Though the 'Best By' date indicates quality, signs of spoilage mean it is not safe to drink.

Some manufacturers use production codes or print the 'Best By' date only on the multi-pack packaging, not on individual cans. If you can't find a date, check for any codes and consult the manufacturer.

Look for a bloated can or bottle, a leaking seal, or unusual cloudiness and sediment in the liquid. Any of these are strong indicators of spoilage.

Julian date codes use a three-digit number to represent the day of the year (1-365), and often a fourth digit for the year. For example, 1015 would mean the 101st day of the year '5' (e.g., 2025). The code's format can vary by manufacturer.