How Long Does Protein Powder Last?

Protein powder is an easy way to strengthen the muscles. It is made up of many types of ingredients, including both dairy and non-dairy products. It is quite natural to buy protein powder in bulk. But you might wonder how long protein powder lasts.

Protein powders are believed to have a longer shelf life and typically last for a year without any issues. Most protein powders come with the best-by date.

They can easily be stored a few months past the best-by date with perfect storage protocols. 

Protein powder generally stays for a year with the maximum retention of quality, after which irreversible deterioration may occur.

This article will elucidate the effective storage procedure to be followed to retain the protein powder. This will also elaborate on how you extend the shelf life of protein powder and how long it lasts naturally. 

Just trying to abide by the timelines and sticking with the effective storage protocols will serve the purpose with regard to protein powder.

How Long Does Protein Powder Last?

There are wide varieties of protein powders available. Many vary according to the types and brands. Some of them are naturally extracted, while some of them are processed to be preserved.

However, most protein powders have a similar shelf life without much variation. There is invariably a best-by date printed on the protein powder. It is not an expiry date but simply indicates that the protein powder retains its best quality until that time.

So in totality, protein powder will retain quality for a few months more than a year. Sometimes it would even last for two or three years if stored properly and intact. Protein powders are induced with lots of vitamins in order to strengthen the muscles.

However, as expected, a long-standing protein powder would not be sufficient to render you those benefits as it may lose its potency.

Those vitamins would not be filled with supreme quality anymore, thereby defeating the purpose of consuming the protein powder in the first place.

A protein shake prepared with the protein powder would last for a day and not more than that. You have to ensure that you refrigerate it so it does not turn bad.

The shelf life of protein shakes also dependent on the ingredients used in the mix. It can be prepared with water or milk. So the shelf life of those liquids has to be evaluated as well.

So, closed protein powder generally has a shelf life of about 6 to 9 months. Opened protein powders have a shelf life of about 3 to 6 months max.

They can also be extended for a longer time, depending on many factors. So checking the condition of protein powder before moving on to consuming it would be more helpful that way.

How To Store Protein Powder?

As with any other edible item, protein powder has the tendency to attract moisture which would spoil the powder instantly. So preserving it in a sealed container would be the right thing to do.

Most of the time, protein powder comes in a sealed container. If it comes in a non-sealable package, then simply transfer the contents into a sealed container and try preserving it properly.

If there is any moisture attack or water in the protein powder, it will form clumps, develop molds and turn bad. 

Keep it away from any wet place and try to induce water or liquid into the powder only when preparing a protein shake.

How To Tell If Protein Powder Is Bad?

Protein powder within the span of the best-by date need not be validated for spoilage at all. If it is past the best-by date, check the powder’s condition.

Look

The protein powder must be discarded if it has developed any molds or formed clumps. Sometimes even if the powder is dry, it could form clumps. Make sure you disintegrate it and check the condition before moving on to decide whether to retain it or not.

Smell

If you take a sniff and come to realize there is something off about the powder, then it has to be tossed out immediately. If it smells sour or rancid, then just simply drain it out, as it won’t serve any purpose.

Flavor

If all else is fine and there is simply nothing to determine whether it has gone bad. Try tasting it by popping in a small amount. If the taste is awful, it cannot be used further.

You can also prepare the shake and try it out. If the flavor is lost, toss it out and never look back.

Can Expired Protein Powder Hurt You?

As per the FDA standards, expired protein powders do not hurt you. They can be used even after the best-by date if stored properly. However, the purpose of consuming the protein powder would have been defeated.

The protein supplements in the mix would break down with age rendering them useless. 

If the natural protein content in the protein powder deteriorates, then there is no purpose for consuming the protein powder in the first place. So just make sure you preserve it right and finish it before time lapses out.

Can You Freeze Protein Powder?

If you have protein powder at home and are thinking of not using it anytime soon, you can freeze it. This will automatically extend the protein powder’s shelf life, rendering it useful for a long time. This will also avoid any light or warmth exposure to the protein powder.

It can be frozen for up to 6 months without any problem. Doing so can also evidently keep it in fresh quality for some time.

How Do You Freeze Protein Powder?

Freezing protein powder is easy. You will just have to find an airtight container or a plastic bag that seals properly. Sealed containers can keep the powder away from moisture intrusion, which would basically help in extending the shelf life. 

If you are going to store it in a bag, press the air out of the bag and keep it vacuum filled for the powder to be stored in the sealed bag.

You should also make sure that the bag or the cover is neat enough for the contents to be stored effectively without any mix of older ingredients. 

Defrosting The Protein Powder

Defrosting the protein powder is quite easy. You will just have to remove it from the freezer and keep it at room temperature. Thai will defrost the powder, and it can be used within hours of thawing it.

Conclusion

Protein powders have become commonly used ingredients not just for athletes but also for laymen. It has significance in health, and consuming it on a daily basis bestows lots of health benefits.

However, you have to be aware of the durability of these protein powders and how well you preserve them. Following those guidelines might probably extend its shelf life, and you can use it for a longer time than intended.

This article will enlighten you on the prospects of storing protein powder and its natural durability. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)