How long is bottled water safe to drink?

The recommended shelf life is two years. The U.S. Food and Drug administration which regulates bottled water does not require a shelf life be listed but due to degradation of plastic over time, especially in heat we recommend two years for still water and one year for sparkling water.


How long can you leave water in a bottle and drink it?

For this reason, the recommended period is to consume the water 3 days following the day it was opened. For best refreshment, you can recap your water and store in the fridge, out of sunlight to keep a crisp taste.

How long can you store water in plastic bottles?

Replace non-store-bought water every 6 months.


Is bottled water still good after 5 years?

In short, no, bottled water doesn't “go bad.” In fact, the FDA doesn't even require expiration dates on water bottles.

Is bottled water safe for long term storage?

Because it is packaged under sanitary, good manufacturing practices; is in a sanitary sealed container; and does not contain substances (such as sugars and proteins) typically associated with food spoilage, bottled water can be stored for extended periods of time without concerns.


How Long Will Bottled Water Last? S&P QOTW



Can I drink water thats been in a bottle for a week?

It is okay to drink water left overnight as long as it is sealed or closed properly. You can still drink water from a water bottle after a week if the bottle is clean and does not show any signs of mold build-up. However, the stock water in an open glass or bottle should not be consumed the next day.

Can you drink water that's been sitting in a plastic bottle?

However, the plastic in water bottles contains no dioxins at all. All in all, water in plastic bottles should be safe to drink, and no less so than water in metal bottles or any other type of container. If they have contaminants in them, they are likely to be found at tiny concentrations.

Can I drink bottled water a few days old?

Certain chemicals found in plastic can leach into bottled water over time, which could potentially damage your health. Thus, it's probably best to avoid commercially bottled water that's far past its expiration date.


Is 2 year old bottled water safe?

The recommended shelf life of still water is 2 years and 1 year for sparkling. The FDA does not list shelf life requirements and water can be stored indefinitely however bottled water plastic leaches over time and can effect taste.

Can you drink 4 week old water?

A: Water is not recommended for any infant under four months of age. Although a small amount of water every now and again may not hurt, too much water can cause changes in the electrolytes in a babies bloodstream which could lead to seizures and death, so it's best to not give any at all.

Can bacteria grow in bottled water?

1. Main Bacterial Contaminants. Coliform bacteria in bottled water represent a great threat to public health, especially for infants, young children, and immunocompromised persons that could contact waterborne diseases, even at lower infectious doses.


What happens if you leave water in a plastic bottle for too long?

The first is that chemicals might leach from the plastic into the water you are drinking. The second is that bacteria can grow in the bottles once they are opened.

What happens if you drink old water in a bottle?

“It's pretty much just your own germs [on and in your bottle], so there's not much to worry about,” Gerba says. “Yeah, you'll get a lot of bacteria because there's always wash-back, but basically it's the bacteria that's in your mouth anyway, so we've never really seen it as an issue.”

Is bottled water safe after sitting in a hot car?

Bottled water is fine. You can drink it — just don't leave it in a hot temperature for a long time. I think that's the important message,” Lena Ma, the study's co-author and a professor of biogeochemistry of trace metals at the University of Florida, told Yahoo Health.


How long can water stay in a stainless steel water bottle?

You can keep your water in a stainless steel water bottle for about 24 hours. However, if you are using your water bottle outdoors, you must wash your water bottle daily and change its content to avoid germs and other disease-causing microorganisms from getting into your body.

Is it OK to leave bottled water in a hot car?

“The ignition temperatures of those items are about 400 degrees, so it would take some time to achieve that, and you need low humidity, dry heat, but it is possible that it would start a fire,” Symonds said. Experts say it's better to keep bottled water in a car inside a cooler or the trunk.

Can I drink 10 days old water?

When you leave the glass of water uncovered for about 12 hours, carbon dioxide in the air starts to mix with it. This reduces the pH level of the water and gives it an off taste. But even then this water is safe to drink. Moreover, most experts believe that tap water has a shelf life of six months.


Does bottled water expire or go bad?

However, the FDA maintains that technically, even when companies print dates on water bottles, there's no required expiration date or shelf life of bottled water—and you should be fine, just cautious.

How long does it take for bacteria to grow in bottled water?

A 2005 study in "Applied and Environmental Microbiology" found at least eight different kinds of bacteria living in noncarbonated bottled mineral water within three weeks of bottling (See References 1, fig 3).

Why you shouldn't buy plastic water bottles?

Plastic water bottles contain chemicals, and those chemicals can leach into the water. This plastic leachate can have detrimental health effects on consumers. At certain levels of exposure, some of the chemicals in plastic, especially the chemical known as bisphenol A (BPA), have even been implicated as carcinogens.


Why we should not drink water in plastic bottles?

Hence, prolonged consumption of water stored in plastic bottles can “cause severe health problems such as hormonal disturbances — in males, it can lead to low sperm count, and early puberty in girls. Even the probability of having liver and breast cancer is higher for people consuming bottled water.

How do you tell if bottled water is contaminated?

Before you order a water analysis, there are several signs you can look for that suggests your water is unsafe for consumption:
  1. Cloudy. Don't drink your water if it appears cloudy. ...
  2. Sediment. ...
  3. Brown or Orange Hue. ...
  4. Oily Film atop Standing Water. ...
  5. Chlorine Scent. ...
  6. Sulfur Scent. ...
  7. Metallic Taste. ...
  8. Rusted Silverware.


Can bottled water become moldy?

Mold can grow and accumulate in bottled water to the extent that it is visible, feeding on organic matter present in the source water or introduced during or after the bottling process. Studies indicate that certain types of molds produce toxins (mycotoxins) and other secondary metabolites in water4.


Can bacteria grow in unopened water bottle?

Bacteria, fungi and even mold can thrive in a water bottle, thanks mainly to its moist environment.

Can you drink 2 month old water?

Your little one — if under 6 months old — should be receiving both nutrition and hydration from breast milk or formula, not water. You probably know this, but you might not know why. It's because babies' bodies aren't suited for water until several months after birth.