Do Celsius drinks expire?

When it comes to canned and bottled beverages like Celsius fitness drinks, one common question consumers have is whether or not they ever expire. With some drinks, it’s pretty obvious when they’ve gone bad, as they’ll change color, get cloudy, or develop an off taste or smell. But what about a canned energy drink like Celsius? Do they have an expiration date, and if so, what happens when they expire?

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Do Celsius Drinks Have an Expiration Date?

Yes, Celsius energy drinks do have a printed expiration date. Like any food or beverage product, Celsius cannot stay fresh forever. The expiration date is printed on the bottom of each can or bottle, and it typically reads something like: “Best By XX/XX/XXXX” or “Expires On XX/XX/XXXX.”

The expiration date tells you the last day that the manufacturer will guarantee the best quality and freshness of that Celsius can or bottle. The date is determined through shelf life testing under proper storage conditions.

How Long Do Unopened Celsius Drinks Last?

An unopened can or bottle of Celsius will typically last 9-12 months from the production date before reaching the “Best By” expiration date. However, they may still be safe to consume for a period after that date, especially if stored properly.

Here are some general guidelines for Celsius shelf life:

Unopened shelf life: 9-12 months from production date

“Best By” date: Guaranteed peak quality if stored properly
3-6 months after “Best By” date: Potentially still safe if stored properly

The shelf life can vary slightly depending on the specific ingredients, packaging, and storage conditions. But you can expect an unopened Celsius to retain optimum quality for about one year when stored as recommended.

How to Store Celsius Drinks to Maximize Shelf Life

To get the longest lasting freshness and flavor from Celsius energy drinks, proper storage is key. Here are some tips for maximizing shelf life:

Store cans and bottles at temperatures between 60-80°F.
Avoid direct sunlight exposure which can degrade nutrients.

Store drinks upright and avoid laying cans on their side.
Keep Celsius sealed in the original packaging until ready to drink.
Do not allow drinks to freeze, which can compromise can integrity.

Avoid storing in very hot conditions like a garage or trunk.

Following these simple storage recommendations will help maintain quality and allow unopened Celsius drinks to last for the entire 9-12 month shelf life duration before reaching the expiration date.

What Happens When Celsius Drinks Expire?

So what happens when a canned Celsius drink passes the expiration date printed on the bottom? Generally, three main changes can occur to degraded drinks:

Loss of carbonation – The CO2 bubbles that provide the fizzy sensation may dissipate over time, resulting in a flat taste.
Decline in flavor – The flavors that make up the unique taste profile can degrade, making the drink taste dull or off.
Nutrient degradation – Vitamins, amino acids, and other nutrients can break down with age.

In addition, separation or precipitates may be visible in an old expired drink. Overall, an expired Celsius simply won’t taste as fresh, effervescent, or flavorful as it did when originally produced.

Are Expired Celsius Drinks Safe to Drink?

Okay, so Celsius won’t taste great after the expiration date due to flavor and carbonation breakdown. But are they safe to actually drink? That depends.

If stored properly away from heat and sunlight, Celsius may still be safe for consumption for a period after the expiration date, up to 3-6 months. However, taste quality is likely to decline. If you notice any odd odors, colors, separation, or mushiness, it’s best to toss it out.

On the other hand, improperly stored Celsius can become unsafe to drink more quickly as heat and light degrade the ingredients. If stored in very hot conditions or allowed to freeze, bacteria growth becomes more likely as well.

So to be on the safe side, it’s generally recommended to discard Celsius drinks once they reach 3-6 months past the printed “Best By” date. But if you’ve stored them continuously sealed in a climate controlled environment, they may retain safety slightly longer.

How to Tell if Celsius is Bad or Expired

If you’re not sure how long that Celsius can in the back of the pantry has been sitting there, here are some signs that it’s expired and is best discarded:

Flat taste and lack of carbonation bubbles
Off or stale flavors
Changes in color or cloudy appearance

Separation, floating particles, or slime
Rusted or busted seams on cans
Bulging or leaking bottles

Trust your senses – if it smells or tastes funny, looks weird, or the can is damaged, Celsius is giving you signs it’s past its prime and should not be consumed.

Do Other Shelf Stable Drinks Expire?

Beverages like Celsius that are formulated to be shelf stable without refrigeration will eventually reach an expiration date due to the breakdown of ingredients over time. Other canned or bottled drinks that have recommended shelf lives include:

Other energy drinks (Monster, Red Bull, Rockstar, etc.)

Soft drinks (Coca-cola, Sprite, Dr. Pepper, etc.)
Iced tea and juice drinks
Plant-based protein shakes (Orgain, Premier Protein, etc.)

Bottled water (although has a very long shelf life)
Nutrition shakes (Ensure, Boost, etc.)
Coffee and tea drinks (Starbucks, Arizona, etc.)

So Celsius is not unique when it comes to having an expiration timeline. The key is following storage guidelines and consuming shelf-stable beverages before significant quality deterioration occurs.

Can Expired Celsius Make You Sick?

Drinking Celsius too long after the expiration date can come with health risks. Here are some potential issues:

Foodborne illness – Bacteria like mold and salmonella can grow in expired drinks and cause food poisoning symptoms.

Toxicity – Certain vitamins and ingredients can become toxic when they degrade over time.
Intestinal distress – Spoiled Celsius can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
Allergic reactions – Oxidation can modify proteins and create allergenic compounds.

Severe reactions are more likely in those with compromised immune systems, underlying conditions, older age, or known allergies. But spoiled Celsius drinks can make anyone sick.

How to Safely Dispose of Expired Celsius

Once opened or past its prime, Celsius should not be consumed. But you’ll need to properly dispose of the expired cans and bottles as well. Here are some safe methods:

Place in trash – Ensure lids are secured so liquid won’t leak out.

Check for recycling options – Some facilities accept canned/bottled drinks.
Pour out liquid – Drain cans/bottles then recycle empty containers if possible.
Discard at hazardous waste collection – Check with your local municipality.

Be sure to check if your community has any beverage container redemption programs – you may be able to get back the deposit value even on expired drinks. Just make sure to clearly label expired Celsius cans and bottles so no one consumes them accidentally.

Can You Return or Get a Refund on Expired Celsius?

If you discover you purchased Celsius drinks that are already expired or nearing the expiration date, you may wonder if you can get your money back. Policies can vary by retailer, but here are some general guidelines for returns or refunds on expired Celsius purchases:

Unopened cans/bottles within 30 days of purchase – Most retailers will accept a return and provide a full refund or exchange.

Expired products outside return window – Retailer may provide a courtesy refund but are not required to.
Damaged or opened cans/bottles – Typically cannot be returned or refunded due to tampering concerns.
Online purchases – Online return policies apply (typically more generous).

If you think you may have purchased expired Celsius drinks, check back with the retailer as soon as possible. Bring your receipt and any intact cans or bottles. For the best experience, know the store’s return and refund policies ahead of time.

How to Report Issues with Expired Celsius Products

If you discover you’ve purchased expired Celsius drinks from a retailer’s shelves, or have concerns about spoilage issues, it’s important to report the problem. Here are some ways to file complaints regarding expired products:

Inform the retailer where the expired Celsius was purchased. They can notify the vendor/distributor.

Call Celsius customer service at 1-866-297-3703 to file a complaint directly.
Report issues to the FDA at 1-888-723-3366 or online at the FDA consumer complaint portal.
For foodborne illness, contact your local health department.

Your report about expired goods can help prevent future issues and may lead to an investigation. Be prepared to provide purchase location details, product codes, expiration dates, and any symptoms if sickness occurred. Keep any expired cans or bottles to share as samples if requested by consumer affairs representatives.

Can Expired Celsius be Exchanged for New Product?

Whether or not you can exchange expired Celsius drinks for newer products depends on where and when you purchased them. Here are some scenarios:

At the original retailer – If within 30 days of purchase, you can request an even exchange for new cans/bottles at customer service.

Outside the return window – Retailers are not obligated to allow exchanges if over 30 days.
Damaged cans or opened bottles – Typically cannot exchange opened/tampered cans for health and safety reasons.
Direct from Celsius – Must be unopened and within 14 days. Purchaser pays return postage.

Third-party sellers – Must comply with seller’s return and exchange policies.

When requesting an exchange, keep your receipt and be ready to provide purchase date, location details, and the reason – expired merchandise. Many customer service reps can make exceptions on expired goods if you have a valid receipt and return within 30 days.

Purchasing Celsius Drinks with the Freshest Dates

To avoid buying expired or short-dated Celsius products, check cans and bottles closely before purchasing. Follow these tips when selecting Celsius to get the longest viable shelf life:

Inspect bottom of cans/bottles for furthest out ‘Best By’ date.
Avoid cans with rusty spots or bottles with cloudiness.
Select Celsius at back of cooler rather than front which turns over faster.

Ask retailer to bring new stock from storage if shelves are low.
Buy from stores with high volume to ensure freshness.

Checking expiration dates before purchase and speaking up about concerns can help you avoid wasting money on Celsius drinks that go bad soon after buying. Seek cans and bottles with dates 8-12 months out for optimum shelf life.

Extending the Shelf Life of Celsius

Once you have your Celsius drinks home, you can take steps to extend the time before expiration. Here are some tips to maximize freshness:

Store unopened cans and bottles in a cool, dry pantry away from heat and sunlight.
Seal opened cans tightly and refrigerate to prolong freshness.

Freeze unused Celsius up to 3 months – thaw before drinking.
Wrap cans in foil to protect from light exposure.
Don’t purchase more than you can consume within 6-9 months.

With proper storage conditions and avoiding freezing, Celsius can maintain quality and freshness right up until the printed expiration date and potentially a short time beyond.

How Long Does Celsius Last Once Opened?

Unlike the shelf life for sealed cans and bottles, once opened, Celsius will not last nearly as long. Here is how long Celsius will stay drinkable after opening:

Room temperature – 1-2 days

Refrigerated – 5-7 days
Frozen – 1-2 months (loses carbonation)

To maximize freshness of opened Celsius energy drinks:

Reseal can/bottle tightly and refrigerate promptly after opening
Check for changes in smell, taste, and texture
Use opened cans within one week

Don’t freeze opened cans more than once

Ultimately, consume opened Celsius drinks within a week and discard any that smell or taste off. Don’t rely on freezing to make cans last months after opening.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do unopened Celsius last at room temperature?

Properly stored unopened at room temperature, Celsius will maintain best quality for 9-12 months from the production date before reaching the printed expiration date.

Can you drink Celsius after expiration date?

It’s not recommended to consume Celsius after the expiration date, as taste, carbonation, and nutrient quality declines. At 3-6 months past the date, safety also becomes questionable.

Do caffeinated drinks like Celsius go bad?

Yes, the ingredients in caffeinated beverages like Celsius will gradually degrade, resulting in diminished flavor and loss of carbonation bubbles over time. Expiration dates account for this process.

What happens if you drink expired Celsius?

Drinking expired Celsius can result in gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, diarrhea, allergic reactions, toxicity from degraded compounds, and increased risk of bacterial infections if extensively spoiled.

Can Celsius drinks be returned if expired?

Unopened expired Celsius products may be able to be returned or exchanged within 30 days at most retailers. Always check individual return policies for details and keep your receipt.

The Bottom Line

Checking expiration dates is an important step before purchasing and consuming Celsius energy drinks. Like any beverage, Celsius contains ingredients that degrade in quality and safety over time. Store cans and bottles properly away from heat, light, and freezing conditions to maximize the 9-12 month shelf life.

Avoid drinking Celsius more than 3-6 months past the printed “Best By” date, and absolutely discard any cans or bottles that appear bulging, leaking, smell odd, or taste off. Seek exchanges for expired products when possible, and report issues to retailers, Celsius brand representatives, or consumer affairs to prevent future spoiled inventory problems.

By following expiration dates, proper storage guidelines, and relying on your senses, you can enjoy the signature flavor and energizing benefits of Celsius drinks while avoiding possible health risks from consuming spoiled beverages.