Does Protein Powder Expire? When It Goes Bad & How to Tell

Protein powder is a great way to get more protein in your diet and increase your gains at the gym. But if you’ve had a container of protein powder for a while and the expiration date has come and passed, is it still okay to use it? Generally, protein powder is safe to use past the expiry date if it shows no signs of spoilage. In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about protein powder’s shelf life, including when it expires, if it’s safe to use, signs it’s gone bad, and storage tips—all with the help of professional chef JoAnna Minneci and the culinary experts at Marrow Private Chefs.

Can I use protein powder after it expires?

According to the culinary experts at Marrow Private Chefs, most foods, including protein powder, are safe to eat past the expiration date as long as they show no signs of spoilage. Protein powder typically has an expiration date of 6 to 12 months, but can be used several months past this date.

Section 1 of 7:

Can protein powder expire?

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Just like any other food product, protein powder degrades with time as it’s exposed to air, moisture, heat, and bacteria.^{[1]
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Research source} While protein powder is a low-moisture product with a long shelf life, it does eventually spoil and go bad.^{[2]
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Meet the wikiHow Experts

JoAnna Minneci is a professional chef with over 18 years of cooking and teaching experience.

Marrow Private Chefs is a collective of culinary experts with over 75 years of combined experience.

Section 2 of 7:

When does protein powder expire?

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Most products are best used by 6 to 12 months, but often last longer. Most protein powders list the product’s “sell-by” or “best-by” date, which indicates when the manufacturer expects the powder to drop in quality, not go bad.^{[3]
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Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA
Food safety information provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Go to source} For whey and plant-based protein powders, the sell-by date is usually after 6 to 12 months. However, if stored properly, protein powder might keep well past 1 year.^{[4]
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- According to the FDA and USDA, manufacturers are not required to list the date when their products expire or go bad. The sell-by or best-by date does not tell you anything about the product’s safety, but rather when it starts to lose flavor and quality.^{[5]
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  Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA
  Food safety information provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
  
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- Minneci says, “You don't go by the expiration date on the package unless it's baby formula.” She asserts that the dates “are all arbitrarily decided by the manufacturer,” and instead, it’s best to check for “color changes, smell changes, [and] consistency changes” to tell if a product is spoiled.^{[6]
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- Plant-based protein powders may last longer than whey-based protein powders, as they don’t contain milk or dairy. However, manufacturers of both types list similar sell-by dates of 6 to 12 months.

Section 3 of 7:

Is it safe to use expired protein powder?

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It’s okay to use past its expiration if there are no signs of spoilage. According to the culinary experts at Marrow Private Chefs, “many items are still perfectly edible well past their expiration date.” Just check your protein powder for signs it’s gone bad. If it still tastes, smells, and looks okay, it’s usually fine to use it a few weeks to months past the expiration date.^{[7]
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Marrow Private Chefs
Private Chefs

Expert Interview}
- Minneci agrees, saying, “If a food product is bad, you are most likely going to be able to tell from sight or smell.”^{[8]
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- Note: Expired protein may be okay to use, but it might not be as effective. Protein degrades with time and exposure to the elements, so old protein powder might lose some of its nutritional value and not be as good at building muscle as a fresh container.^{[9]
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- Remember, the protein powder’s expiration or sell-by date is just when it is expected to lose quality. It doesn’t mean it’s automatically gone bad.
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If the protein powder appears spoiled, it might make you sick. For the most part, using protein powder past the expiration date is unlikely to make you sick—it’s a dry product that doesn’t attract bacteria. However, if the powder was stored in hot, moist conditions and you notice signs of spoilage, it’s best not to use it. Using spoiled protein powder could lead to symptoms similar to food poisoning, like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.^{[10]
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- Due to the drop in quality and change in flavor or smell, using expired (but not spoiled) protein powder could cause some gastrointestinal distress (bloating, upset stomach).

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Signs Protein Powder Has Gone Bad

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Lack of flavor or unpleasant taste Loss of or change in flavor is usually a sign that protein powder is decreasing in quality and starting to go bad, so it’s probably time to throw it out. If you try it and it tastes sour, rotten, or bitter, definitely get rid of it, as this is a sign it’s spoiled.^{[11]
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- If your protein powder is past its expiration date, it’s okay to taste a little bit to see if it’s gone bad.
- If your protein powder is labeled as “flavorless” yet has an obvious taste when you test it, it may be expired.
- If the protein powder has gone bad, it’s best to throw it away instead of drinking it, as it could make you sick. We’ll explain why in the section below!
Along with taste, protein powder typically develops an off smell when it goes bad. If you open your container of protein powder and get a whiff of a mildewy, rotten, or sour odor, it’s likely spoiled, so it’s best to throw it away.^{[12]
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Change in color As protein powder goes bad, it usually changes color or appears discolored. Light powders often look yellow or brown, while dark powders may appear lighter or darker than their original color.^{[13]
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- If you aren’t sure what color your protein powder originally was, try running an image search and checking out pictures of your product.
If you notice hard chunks of powder in the container, or if the powder tends to clump together, that’s typically a sign that it’s gone bad. This is usually due to increased moisture in the container, which is often an indication that the powder is spoiled.^{[14]
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How to Properly Store Protein Powder

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Keep protein powder in a cool, dry, and dark area. To ensure your protein powder stays as fresh as long as possible, store it in a spot that stays around room temperature (70°F or 21°C) and at a low humidity (35%). Make sure to keep it away from moisture and bright, direct light—a pantry or cupboard in your kitchen makes an excellent storage spot.^{[15]
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- Avoid storing your protein powder near your refrigerator, sink, or stove to limit moisture and heat exposure.
- Aim to keep your protein powder at home. Storing your protein powder at the gym, in a bag, or in your car can expose it to temperature fluctuations and excess moisture, causing it to go bad.
- Heat and moisture can cause protein powder to degrade more quickly and cause bacteria to grow, which leads to spoilage.^{[16]
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Ensure the container of protein powder is sealed completely. Once you’ve made your protein shake (or other protein-infused dish), make sure to close the container or bag completely. This prevents air, moisture, and contaminants from getting into the powder, which helps prevent it from going bad as quickly.^{[17]
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- Most protein powders come in containers or bags that seal well and keep them protected from the elements. However, you can always transfer the powder to an air-tight storage container, if you prefer.

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Other Ways to Use Protein Powder

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Use protein powder in breakfast foods and desserts. Protein powder isn’t just a great addition to smoothies and drinks—you can add it to plenty of tasty dishes, too! If you’re having trouble using up your container of protein powder (which is maybe why it went past the expiration date…), try adding it to:
- Pancakes or waffles
- Oatmeal
- Overnight oats
- Yogurt
- Chia seed pudding
- Protein bars or balls
- Cookies
- Mug cakes

Section 7 of 7:

The Bottom Line

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It’s usually okay to use protein powder a few weeks or months past its expiration date, as this date just tells you when it starts to lose freshness and quality. The expired protein powder may lose some of its effectiveness and nutritional value, but it's unlikely to make you sick. However, if you notice an unpleasant smell, discoloration, and poor taste, the protein powder has likely gone bad, so it’s best to throw it away.