Powdered bone broth has become an increasingly popular way to get the health benefits of bone broth in a convenient, shelf-stable form.
But a common question is: does bone broth powder actually expire and go bad?
How Long Does Bone Broth Powder Last?
Most bone broth powder brands state that their products will stay fresh for around 2 years from the manufacturing date if stored properly. So you'll want to check the best by or expiration date printed on the packaging.
As with most dried goods, bone broth powder lasts longer than liquids since removing the moisture makes it difficult for spoilage organisms to grow. The powder also tends to come in packaging that protects it from oxygen, light, and moisture - all enemies of shelf life.
However, bone broth powder is still a food product with a limited shelf life. Over time, the natural fats can go rancid and the flavor and nutritional value will degrade. So at some point it is no longer considered safe or desirable to consume.
Key Takeaway: Properly stored bone broth powder typically lasts about 2 years before starting to expire and lose quality. Check packaging for best by dates.
Signs Your Powder Has Gone Bad
Because bone broth powder has very little moisture and comes in a sealed packet, visible mold is unlikely.
Instead, you need to rely on your senses of smell and taste to determine if the powder has spoiled.
- Smell - Fresh bone broth powder should have an aroma characteristic of bones, meat, broth. It may smell slightly fatty or meaty. If you detect sour, rotten, chemical smells it has likely gone rancid.
- Taste - Reconstitute a small amount into broth and taste it. It should taste very similar to freshly made bone broth. Off-flavors like sour, bitter, metallic indicate spoilage.
- Color - The powder itself should not show much color change over time. But once reconstituted into liquid, you may see some differences appear in older powder. The broth may seem darker or cloudier.
- Texture - Look for clumping of the powder particles or a hard, solid area that is difficult to break up. This can happen when fats go rancid but does not guarantee spoilage.
- Storage Conditions - Consider how well it was stored before opening. Heat, humidity and sunlight accelerate degradation of nutrients and flavors. If stored poorly, it may spoil well before the best by date.
- Trust your senses - if the smell, taste or appearance seems off then play it safe and discard the powder. Consuming rancid bone broth powder will not make you seriously ill, but it won't provide expected nutrition and the flavor will be quite unpleasant.
Key Takeaway: Rely on smell and taste primarily to determine if bone broth powder has spoiled, along with assessing storage conditions. Off aromas, textures or appearance indicate degradation.
Does Opened Powder Go Bad Faster?
Once you break the airtight seal on bone broth powder packaging it does begin the countdown towards expiration and potential spoilage. However, powered goods still generally last quite a while.
Most brands recommend using opened bone broth powder within 4 to 6 months. The key is ensuring you carefully re-seal or transfer the powder to an airtight, moisture-free container. Glass jars or vacuum seal bags work very well for storage.
If the powder is exposed to air for an extended period it will cause faster nutritional decline. Proper storage keeps oxygen away and helps retain maximum freshness and shelf life.
You can also consider refrigerating or freezing opened powder if you will not use it up quickly. The cold temperatures further prevent degradation of fragile nutrients like vitamins and healthy fats. It's not strictly necessary, but can maintain peak quality longer.
Key Takeaway: Opened bone broth powder lasts around 4 to 6 months with proper re-sealing and storage methods. Refrigeration or freezing gives even longer freshness.
Should You Toss Expired Powder or Use Judgment?
Ideally you want to finish up bone broth powder while it’s still well within the printed expiration timeframe. But sometimes life gets in the way.
If your powder is past its best by date, the safest recommendation is to discard and replace it. However that may not align with your budget or values around food waste.
Here is a reasonable approach to take:
- If less than 3 months past expiration - carefully inspect, smell and taste reconstituted powder. If it checks out, seems properly stored and tastes fresh with full aroma it is likely still good for use.
- If 3 to 6 months past - only consume if it was unopened AND stored very well in cool, dark place. Carefully check smell and flavor. Higher risk so discard if any doubt.
- If over 6 months past date - best to discard no matter what. Quality and safety risk is too high.
While unlikely to make you sick immediately, consuming very stale powder means losing most nutritional value you are seeking by using bone broth.
Trust your senses, but also your common sense when deciding whether to toss expired powder or take your chances. Evaluate the conditions based on above guidance.
Key Takeaway: Discarding very expired bone broth powder is ideal, but may use judgment 3-6 months past expiration if carefully assessed before use.
Maintaining Quality of Bone Broth Powder
To get the maximum freshness and shelf life out of your bone broth powder investment:
- Read Labels Carefully - check packaging thoroughly for any indication of when it was manufactured and when it expires. Only purchase powder that has been recently produced and has over a year before reaching best by date.
- Proper Storage - store unopened powder in a cool, dark pantry away from heat and sunlight. Use oldest powder first and do not let it sit past expiration.
- Open Carefully - limit exposure to air and moisture when opening packet. Fold over top of package and seal with clothespin if not using quickly.
- Use Quality Containers for Leftovers- transfer any leftover powder to an airtight glass jar or vacuum seal bag after opening. Force out extra air before sealing.
- Consider Freezing - opened powder can be frozen in a moisture-proof bag or container to pause shelf life clock and retain maximum quality. Thaw before use.
With proper purchasing, storage, and handling methods you can easily get a full two years or slightly longer before having to think about powder freshness. Be conscious and purposeful to prevent waste and loss of your beneficial bone broth powder.
FAQs
Does bone broth protein powder expire?
Yes, bone broth protein powder has an expiration date and will degrade over time, usually around 2 years from the manufacture date if unopened. Once opened, it lasts around 4 to 6 months with proper storage methods before losing quality and freshness.
How can you tell if bone broth powder has gone bad?
Rely first on smell and taste to determine spoilage in bone broth powder. Reconstitute a small amount in hot water. It should smell meaty/brothy and taste pleasant like fresh broth. Sour, rancid, chemical aromas or bitter/metallic flavors indicate it has likely spoiled.
Is it safe to use expired bone broth powder?
Consuming expired bone broth powder poses a low safety risk but nutrition and taste quality will be poor. Ideally consume before expiration date. If recently expired, carefully check smell, flavor, and storage conditions first before deciding whether to discard or try using. More than 6 months expired should be discarded no matter what.
Does bone broth powder need to be refrigerated after opening?
Refrigeration of opened bone broth powder is not strictly required, but can help extend freshness and shelf life from 4-6 months up to a year or longer. The key is re-sealing the package very carefully or transferring leftover powder to an airtight glass jar or vacuum sealed bag with all air pressed out.
Conclusion
Like most other dried food goods and nutritional supplements, bone broth powder retains quality and safety for about two years when unopened and stored properly. Manufacturers determine expiration or best by dates by considering risk of moisture, air exposure, temperature fluctuation, and oxidative processes that cause nutrient loss and potential spoilage over time.
Pay attention to expiration or best by dates printed on packaging and be sure to carefully store unopened containers of bone broth powder to achieve maximum shelf life. Once opened, powder will stay fresh for 4 to 6 months if resealed meticulously or transferred to an airtight container.