Collagen powder has become an increasingly popular supplement due to its touted benefits for skin, hair, nails, joints and more. This powder is made from collagen, which is the most abundant protein in the human body and provides structure and flexibility to connective tissues.
As a supplement, collagen powder is typically derived from animal sources such as fish, eggs or bovine cartilage and tissue. It usually comes in a flavored or unflavored powder form that can be mixed into water, smoothies and more.
With the rising popularity of collagen supplements, a common question is - does collagen powder expire?
What Happens When Collagen Powder Expires
Like any food product or supplement, collagen powder does come with an expiration date printed on the packaging. This expiry indicates the last date that the manufacturer guarantees the product will be at peak quality.
So what happens when this date passes? Here are three main things that can occur with expired collagen powder:
Loss of Potency
One of the effects of expired collagen powder is a loss of potency and efficacy. Just like vitamin C or probiotics, the active peptides and proteins in collagen powder can degrade over time.
This means that over time, even if stored properly, the collagen supplement may become less bioavailable and provide fewer benefits for your hair, skin, nails and joints. Consuming very expired powder may provide little to no beneficial effect.
Change in Taste and Texture
In addition to losing potency, expired collagen powder can undergo physical changes to its taste, smell and texture.
The powder may develop clumping, an off taste or an unappealing smell that makes it less palatable to consume. These sensory changes are signs that chemical changes are taking place and the powder is no longer fresh.
Safety Concerns
Finally, perhaps the biggest concern with expired supplements like collagen is potential safety issues.
When stored improperly in heat, light or moisture, collagen powder can become prone to mold growth and bacterial contamination. Consuming such degraded powder puts you at risk for food poisoning or gastrointestinal distress.
While risks are low if contamination is not visible, it is still best to air on the side of caution and not consume supplements past their stamped expiry date.
Key Takeaway: Like any supplement, collagen powder can expire and degrade over time, resulting in loss of potency, change in texture/taste and potential safety issues if consumed when significantly degraded.
How to Properly Store Collagen Powder
To help your collagen powder last as long as possible, proper storage according to the manufacturer’s suggestions is key. Here are some top tips for storing your collagen powder:
Keep in a Cool, Dry Place
Collagen peptides are best preserved when kept away from excess heat, moisture and sunlight, which can encourage degradation. Store your collagen powder in a clean, dry place such as a kitchen cabinet or pantry. Keeping it at average room temperature is ideal.
Seal Container Tightly After Each Use
Be sure to tightly seal the container collagen powder comes in after every use. Exposure to air and moisture each time you open it leads to faster deterioration. If using a bag, be sure to fully roll and clip it closed to limit air exposure.
Don't Refrigerate
While refrigeration extends the shelf life of many foods, collagen proteins can actually degrade faster when frozen or refrigerated over time. Unless specified on the label, it is best to avoid keeping collagen peptide powder in the fridge or freezer.
Check for Signs of Spoilage
Periodically check your container of collagen for any clumping, color changes or objectionable odors that may indicate spoilage or contamination. If you note any signs the powder has degraded, it is safest to discard it.
Key Takeaway: Storing collagen powder properly in a cool, dry place away from light and tightly sealed can help maximize its freshness and shelf life. Refrigeration is not recommended unless specified.
How Long Does Collagen Powder Last When Properly Stored?
Wondering just how long that container of collagen peptides or powder will stay fresh on your shelf? Here is a breakdown:
- Unopened Collagen Powder: 2 years from the manufactured date
- Opened Collagen Powder: 1 year from the opened date
Therefore, as long as you properly store it in a cool, dry place, unopened collagen powder that has been sitting in your pantry should stay good for about two years from when it was made.
Once opened, the exposure to oxygen, moisture and potential contaminants means opened containers have a shorter shelf life of about one year.
Be sure to write the date you first opened it on the container, and discard it after one year passes for optimal freshness and safety.
The shelf life can vary slightly based on the exact type and specific formulation of collagen supplement. Marine collagen sourced from fish for example may have more omega oils that can oxidize over time compared to other types. Refer to your product’s label for their suggested shelf life.
Key Takeaway: When properly stored, unopened collagen powder typically lasts 2 years from the manufactured date, while opened containers last about 1 year from being opened before quality may degrade.
Signs Your Collagen Powder Has Expired
Wondering if that container of collagen powder sitting in the back of your pantry is still safe to use? Check for these signs it may be past its prime:
Smell
Fresh collagen powder should have little to no scent. An unpleasant or strong odor could indicate spoilage or contamination.
Texture
The powder should appear smooth and flow easily. Clumping, crystallization or presence of moisture suggests degradation.
Color
Look for discoloration from the powder's original shade to darker hues like yellow, orange or brown. This likely means chemical changes have occurred.
Taste
Rehydrated collagen peptides should taste neutral. A bitter, sour or rancid flavor is a red flag for spoilage.
Paying attention to changes from the powder's original sensory attributes can help clue you into whether it may be expired and no longer of best quality. When in doubt, remember it's better to be safe and discard it.
Can Expired Collagen Powder Make You Sick?
Consuming expired protein powder or supplements does come with some risk of short-term sickness, like food poisoning. However, collagen itself is unlikely to cause major health issues unless you have an allergy.
That said, expired collagen can grow harmful bacteria over time that may cause symptoms like:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Bloating or gas
- General malaise
In otherwise healthy people, these symptoms tend to resolve on their own over 24-48 hours after discontinuing use. However, more vulnerable groups like pregnant women, children or the elderly may be at higher risk for dehydration and complications.
While risks are low, it’s recommended to err on the side of caution discard and replace degraded, expired collagen powder. Pay attention to expiration dates, proper storage guidelines and signs of spoilage.
Key Takeaway: Consuming expired collagen powder does pose a small risk for gastrointestinal distress or food borne pathogens. Contamination is rare if no moisture or visible mold/damage is present but caution is still warranted with any degraded supplement.
FAQs
Does collagen powder go bad?
Yes, collagen powder can degrade in quality and expire after 1-2 years, depending on whether the container has been opened or not. Exposure to air, light, varying temperatures and humidity can hasten its deterioration.
How can you tell if collagen peptides have gone bad?
Signs collagen has expired include changes in texture (clumping, crystallization), scent (rancid, sour smell), discoloration from original hue and unappealing taste when reconstituted.
Is it safe to use collagen powder after expiration date?
No, it is generally unsafe and not recommended by health authorities or manufacturers to knowingly consume expired collagen powder, or any supplement for that matter, after its expiry date has passed. Doing so carries risk of reduced efficacy, pathogenic bacterial growth and adverse gastrointestinal side effects.
Does collagen expire if unopened?
Yes, even unopened collagen containers have a finite shelf life. Properly stored unopened containers typically last about 2 years from the manufacturing date before potency starts to fade. Once opened, shelf life drops down closer to 1 year.
Can degraded collagen make you sick?
Yes, consuming expired collagen powder does pose a low risk for food borne illnesses. While collagen itself is generally safe, bacterial growth on degraded powder can cause gastrointestinal distress. Healthy adults may experience temporary nausea, vomiting or diarrhea after ingesting contaminated supplements.
Conclusion
Collagen powder does come with an expiry date, usually about 1-2 years from the manufactured or opened date. Over time, collagen peptides degrade losing structure and efficacy. Consuming expired powder also poses safety concerns and contamination risk.
By properly storing powder in cool, dry places tightly sealed and discarding opened containers after 1 year, you can maximize collagen's shelf life. Be vigilant checking for changes in smell, texture, taste or appearance that may indicate it is unfit for consumption.