What Happens If You Forget to Put AG1 in the Fridge?

December 29, 2025 •

3 min read

According to a Consumer Lab study, over 30% of supplement users don't check expiration dates regularly, and this oversight often extends to proper storage instructions. If you've ever forgotten to put your opened AG1 pouch in the fridge, you're not alone, but it's important to understand the consequences for the supplement's effectiveness and your peace of mind.

Quick Summary

AG1 must be refrigerated after opening to maintain the potency of its live probiotics and whole-food ingredients. Forgetting to do so for a short period won't ruin it, but prolonged exposure to room temperature can degrade active compounds, reducing efficacy over time. While short-term forgetfulness is not an immediate safety risk, refrigeration is critical for maximizing benefits and maintaining freshness throughout the 90-day use period after opening.

Key Points

Probiotics are key: AG1 contains live probiotics that require refrigeration to maintain their potency and viability.
Loss of potency: Without refrigeration, heat and air exposure can cause a significant degradation of nutrients and probiotics over time.
Short-term is okay: Forgetting to refrigerate for a few hours is likely not a problem, provided it wasn't exposed to direct heat.
Long-term is not: If left unrefrigerated for an extended period, the supplement will lose its efficacy and should be discarded.
Travel packs are different: Individually sealed travel packs do not require refrigeration until they are opened and used.
Always check for signs of spoilage: Discard any powder that shows signs of mold, has an off-smell, or is clumped up.
Consume within 90 days: After opening, whether refrigerated or not, the powder should ideally be used within 90 days.

AG1, also known as Athletic Greens, is a comprehensive health supplement packed with a wide array of vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and whole-food sourced nutrients. The storage instructions are clear: once opened, the pouch or canister must be refrigerated. This isn't just a suggestion; it’s a crucial step for preserving the product's integrity and efficacy. The reason lies in the delicate nature of some of its key ingredients, particularly the live probiotics and whole-food compounds.

Why AG1 Needs Refrigeration

Protecting Live Probiotics

One of the primary reasons for refrigerating AG1 is to protect its live probiotic cultures. Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that are sensitive to environmental factors like heat and oxygen. At room temperature, especially after the protective seal has been broken, these probiotics become less viable over time. Refrigeration creates a cool, stable environment that slows down this natural decay process, helping to ensure that you receive the intended dose of 'good bacteria' with every scoop.

Preserving Nutrient Efficacy

Beyond probiotics, AG1 is rich in a multitude of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients derived from whole-food sources. Many of these compounds are sensitive to heat and air exposure. Prolonged storage at room temperature can cause these nutrients to degrade, diminishing the supplement's overall potency. While the powder won't spoil overnight, its effectiveness will be compromised over time without proper refrigeration. This is why AG1 recommends using the opened product within 90 days, with refrigeration being a key factor in extending its freshness and potency for that duration.

What If You Forgot to Put AG1 in the Fridge?

If you've left your opened AG1 out on the counter for a short time—a few hours or even overnight—it's likely still safe and effective. The key is to avoid prolonged exposure to high heat or direct sunlight. As long as the bag wasn't exposed to extreme conditions and you don't notice any abnormalities like mold, clumping, or an off-smell, you can simply put it back in the fridge and continue use. However, if the AG1 was left unrefrigerated for a long period (e.g., several weeks), its potency would have significantly decreased, especially the probiotics. At that point, it’s best to discard it and start with a fresh pouch.

AG1 vs. AG1 Travel Packs

For those who travel or have limited access to refrigeration, AG1 offers a practical solution: the individually sealed travel packs. These single-serving pouches do not require refrigeration and are designed for convenience on the go. The key difference is the individual hermetic seal on each packet, which protects the ingredients from oxygen and moisture until the moment of use. The main canister, on the other hand, is opened repeatedly, exposing the contents to air with each use, which accelerates degradation without the preservation of refrigeration.

Comparison Table: Refrigerated AG1 vs. Unrefrigerated AG1


Feature	Refrigerated AG1	Unrefrigerated AG1 (Left Out)
Probiotic Viability	Maximized and preserved	Decreases significantly over time
Nutrient Potency	Maintained throughout usage period	Degrades, reducing effectiveness
Freshness & Flavor	Preserved for 90 days after opening	Can change, leading to off-flavors
Risk of Spoilage	Very low when stored correctly	Higher risk, especially with heat exposure
Recommended Use	Standard daily consumption	Safe for very short-term lapses only

The Role of Proper Storage for Supplement Efficacy

Proper storage is a critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of supplement use. The manufacturer's instructions are not arbitrary but are based on the stability profiles of the ingredients. For a product like AG1, with its mix of sensitive compounds, temperature control and sealing are non-negotiable for maximizing the health benefits you're investing in. Ignoring these simple steps can lead to a less potent and ultimately less effective product.

Conclusion

Forgetting to put AG1 in the fridge is a common and understandable mistake, and a short-term oversight will not render your supplement useless. However, refrigeration is absolutely essential for preserving the live probiotics and overall potency of AG1 once the package has been opened. By consistently refrigerating your AG1, you ensure that you receive the maximum nutritional value from every scoop. For those who travel or simply have a hard time remembering, the travel packs offer a worry-free, shelf-stable alternative. Remember, the benefits of consistent use depend on the product being stored correctly.

For more detailed storage information, you can always check the official AG1 FAQ page.

Note: This link is provided for informational purposes based on known AG1 storage guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, if you forgot to refrigerate your opened AG1 pouch overnight, it should still be safe to use, assuming it wasn't exposed to direct heat. The potency may be slightly diminished, but it's not a major issue for a single short-term instance.

AG1 needs refrigeration after opening because it contains live probiotics and whole-food sourced ingredients. Refrigeration helps preserve the integrity and efficacy of these sensitive components, slowing down the natural degradation process.

If AG1 is not refrigerated, the live probiotics will die off at a much faster rate due to exposure to oxygen and room temperature, which significantly reduces the supplement's effectiveness for gut health.

While a few hours won't cause serious harm, AG1 should not be left out of the fridge for prolonged periods. Any extended storage at room temperature will compromise the product's nutritional value and freshness.

Yes, AG1 Travel Packs are individually sealed and designed for on-the-go use. They do not require refrigeration because each single-serving pouch is hermetically sealed, protecting the contents from air until opened.

Signs of spoilage in AG1 could include a noticeably different or 'off' smell, unusual clumping of the powder, or any visible signs of mold. If you see any of these, discard the product.

Short-term exposure to room temperature is not an immediate safety risk. However, prolonged heat exposure can increase the risk of spoilage, and the reduced potency makes it less effective, justifying why it is a best practice to discard it in that scenario.