Ever wondered whether those Gatorade expire and go bad? Let’s find out the answer to this essential question: Does Gatorade really expire?
Like many beverages, Gatorade can last in storage for several years as long as it is unopened. Once you break the seal, its shelf life is reduced from several hours at room temperature to 5 days at most in the fridge.
In this article, we will cover the answers to the following questions:
Are you ready? Read on to learn more!
Does Gatorade Go Bad?
How long does gatorade stay good? Let’s discuss the shelf life of these three Gatorade products:
Gatorade Powder
Inspect the smell and color. If there are signs of discoloration and off-smelling odor, you should not use it. Throw the powder right away.
In the pantry or at room temperature, Gatorade powder can last from 1 to 2 years.
Bottled Gatorade
Whether you kept it in the pantry or refrigerator, a sealed or unopened Gatorade bottle can last up from 1 to 3 years, even after the best-by date.
Once you open a bottle of Gatorade and do not drink it within a week, it will surely go bad. It can stay in the pantry or at room temperature for only 6 to 12 hours. In the refrigerator, you can store it for up to 5 days. (*)
How Do You Know if Gatorade Is Bad?
Here’s how to tell if it is time for you to dispose of your Gatorade:
1. Change in color
We all know that Gatorade comes in different flavors and colors. There’s white, light blue, purple, pink, and more. Whichever you have, if you notice a change in the original color, that is an indicator that the Gatorade formula has changed.
Before you give yourself a big gulp of this beverage, hold the bottle up to the light and check if the liquid looks normal.
The color of your drink will either fade or darken. In either case, don’t drink the beverage anymore and better dispose of it immediately. (*)
2. Rancid or moldy smell
As Gatorade comes in different flavors, you’ll surely know the smells each bottle holds. Take a whiff of the drink if it smells okay.
If the bottle’s contents smell rancid or moldy, we strongly advise you to throw it away. Some consumers claim that a Gatorade drink that has gone bad will smell like the sulfurous odor of rotten eggs.
A foul odor is an indication that your food or drink is already spoiled and not safe for consumption anymore. (*)
3. Foul taste
Sometimes, a visual inspection may not be good enough to tell if your drink is still safe for consumption. Thus, you’ll have to taste it to make sure if it still tastes the same.
Take a sip or pour the beverage into a cup. If the drink possesses a foul and bitter taste instead of sweet or fruity, then that drink is already spoiled. That is not safe to drink anymore.
If you have directly drunk from the bottle, bacteria from your mouth will stay on the thread or rim area of the bottle. The bacteria that settled on that part of the bottle will thrive over time, eventually changing the drink’s taste.
4. Floating sediment
Your Gatorade is bad for consumption if you see any floating objects or sediment found in the drink. That’s one of the signs that you need to dispose of the bottle’s contents. (*)
Some people would try to shake the bottle to dissolve the hardened deposits. However, if it remains undissolved within a few minutes after shaking, that could be a sign that it is already spoiled.
How to Store Gatorade Correctly?
Gatorade Drink
At Room Temperature
Gatorade drink is a shelf-stable product. Keep your unopened bottle of Gatorade in the dark, cool, and dry area to retain its optimal taste and quality. Don’t store it at a temperature below 4.4 degrees C (40 degrees F).
In the fridge
Once opened, you should put your drink in the fridge to let it stay fresh for up to 5 days. After opening, it should be kept chilled at 4 to 15 degrees C (40 to 60 degrees F).
Putting your Gatorade drink in the fridge will slow down bacterial growth, and it helps to preserve your drink for a longer time.
Powdered Gatorade
At Room temperature
The ideal storage for powdered Gatorade must be stored in a cool and dark place. It should also be away from heat, moisture, or sunlight exposure.
Simply store your powdered Gatorade the same way you would keep your powdered beverage items. Note that it must be tightly covered in an airtight container to extend its shelf life and avoid pest infestation.
To prevent the powder from clumping you can, use food-grade desiccants or oxygen absorbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Does Gatorade expire and go bad? The producer of Gatorade claims that the beverage is shelf-stable. As long as the bottle is still unopened and tightly sealed, the drink can stay for a few years in either at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Check if the seal is intact. As a basic rule, if your Gatorade looks, smells, and tastes suspicious, it is best to dispose of it for safety reasons.
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