Liquid chlorophyll is a popular supplement taken for its potential health benefits. But once you open a bottle of liquid chlorophyll, how long does it last before it goes bad? Here’s a look at how to tell if your liquid chlorophyll is still good to use or if it’s time to toss it.
What is Liquid Chlorophyll?
Liquid chlorophyll is made from chlorophyll extracted from plants. Chlorophyll is the green pigment found in plants that allows them to convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. In supplement form, liquid chlorophyll is dark green in color.
Chlorophyll supplements are taken for their potential health benefits. Some research suggests chlorophyll may help support detoxification, promote skin health, reduce body odor, and act as an antioxidant. However, more research is still needed on the potential effects of chlorophyll supplements in humans.
How is Liquid Chlorophyll Typically Packaged?
Liquid chlorophyll is generally packaged in opaque plastic or glass bottles to protect it from light exposure. Light can damage and degrade the chlorophyll compounds over time.
Bottles of liquid chlorophyll often contain somewhere between 1-4 ounces of the supplement. Some other packaging specifics to be aware of:
- May be packaged as a standalone liquid supplement
- Sometimes combined with other ingredients like mint or vitamins
- Droppers built into the bottle lid make it easy to take serving sizes
Does Liquid Chlorophyll Need to be Refrigerated?
Refrigeration can help extend the shelf life of liquid chlorophyll. However, it’s generally not required if the bottle is unopened. Unopened bottles of liquid chlorophyll can be stored at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from light.
Once opened, it’s best to store liquid chlorophyll in the refrigerator. The cool temperature helps slow degradation of the chlorophyll compounds.
How Long Does Liquid Chlorophyll Last When Unopened?
When properly stored, unopened liquid chlorophyll typically lasts:
- Room temperature – Up to 2 years past the expiry date when kept sealed in a cool, dry location away from heat and sunlight
- Refrigerator – Up to 3 years past the expiry date when continuously refrigerated
Be sure to check the expiration date on the bottle. Unopened bottles of liquid chlorophyll stay good for up to 2-3 years from the day it was manufactured.
Does Liquid Chlorophyll Expire?
Yes, liquid chlorophyll does eventually expire and go bad. The expiry date on the packaging indicates how long the manufacturer guarantees the product will remain stable and potent when properly stored.
However, liquid chlorophyll may start to degrade before its expiration date if it’s not stored properly. Exposure to sunlight, heat, and oxygen can cause the chlorophyll to break down more rapidly.
Signs that liquid chlorophyll may be expired, even if the expiry date hasn’t passed yet, include changes in color, smell, or texture.
How to Tell if Opened Liquid Chlorophyll Has Gone Bad
Once you open a bottle of liquid chlorophyll, it’s more vulnerable to degradation. Here are some signs that opened liquid chlorophyll has expired and should be discarded:
- Change in color – Fresh liquid chlorophyll should be a very deep, dark green. Fading to a lighter green, yellow, or brown indicates oxidation and expiration.
- Cloudy appearance – Liquid chlorophyll gradually becomes cloudy and opaque as it ages. Fresh chlorophyll is a transparent, deep green.
- Change in scent – Liquid chlorophyll is earthy but has little odor. A harsh, bitter, or rotten smell means it’s time to toss it.
- Mold – Tiny black or green dots of mold growing in the bottle is a sign it has spoiled.
- Texture changes – Liquid chlorophyll can thicken up or become clumpy as it expires.
How Long Does Liquid Chlorophyll Last After Opening?
The shelf life depends somewhat on how it’s stored after opening:
- Refrigerator – 3 to 6 months past the expiry date when continuously refrigerated.
- Room temperature – 2 to 3 months past the expiry date if stored in a cool, dry place away from light and heat.
To help extend the shelf life after opening, be sure to re-cap the bottle tightly after each use. And store away from direct light which can degrade the chlorophyll over time.
Also keep in mind that expiry dates are conservative estimates. The chlorophyll may start to naturally degrade before the date indicated on the package depending on storage conditions.
Does Liquid Chlorophyll Go Bad Once Mixed?
Liquid chlorophyll will start to degrade more rapidly once mixed into water or other beverages. It’s best to mix up only what you plan to consume immediately rather than making a large batch.
Drink mixes that contain chlorophyll along with other ingredients like vitamins or mint tend to have shorter shelf lives as well. Follow the expiry date and storage recommendations specifically for your product.
Can Expired Liquid Chlorophyll Make You Sick?
Consuming expired liquid chlorophyll is not likely to make you immediately sick or cause serious health issues. However, it’s still best to discard chlorophyll that is past its prime.
Over time, the amounts of beneficial chlorophyll compounds will diminish. So an expired product may not provide its full effectiveness. Oxidation can also lead to degradation byproducts you don’t want to be ingesting.
If a bottle of liquid chlorophyll shows any signs of spoilage like changes in color, smell, texture, or mold – err on the side of caution and throw it away. Don’t take the risk of any negative health consequences.
How to Properly Dispose of Liquid Chlorophyll
Check if your community has a hazardous waste disposal program that accepts supplements and medications. They may take your expired liquid chlorophyll to safely dispose of it.
If no hazardous waste program is available, you can dispose of spoiled liquid chlorophyll by:
- Mixing it with an unpalatable substance like dirt, cat litter, or coffee grounds in a sealable plastic bag.
- Sealing the plastic bag and placing it in your regular household trash.
- Removing any personal information from the empty bottle before recycling it.
This helps prevent accidental ingestion by kids, pets, or wildlife. Never pour liquid chlorophyll down the drain which can contaminate waterways.
Tips for Maximizing Shelf Life of Liquid Chlorophyll
Here are some tips for getting the longest shelf life out of your liquid chlorophyll:
- Purchase only what you expect to use within the expiration timeframe.
- Check dates and opt for the bottle with the furthest away expiry date.
- Store in a cool, dry place away from heat and sunlight until opened.
- Refrigerate after opening and keep tightly sealed between uses.
- Do not mix liquid chlorophyll into beverages in advance. Only mix what you will drink right away.
- Avoid exposure to air and excessive temperature fluctuations once opened.
- Use clean utensils to remove chlorophyll from the bottle each use.
- Write the date you opened it on the bottle with a marker.
Properly stored, unopened liquid chlorophyll lasts about 2-3 years on average. If refrigerated after opening, the shelf life is typically 3-6 months.
Watch for changes in color, thickness, and smell which signal it’s time to replace your bottle with a fresh supply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you freeze liquid chlorophyll?
Freezing is not recommended for liquid chlorophyll. The freezing process and temperature fluctuations during thawing can damage the chlorophyll compounds. It’s best to store in the refrigerator if wanting to prolong shelf life after opening.
Do you have to refrigerate liquid chlorophyll?
Refrigeration is not necessary for unopened bottles of liquid chlorophyll. However, it will extend the shelf life after opening. Keeping liquid chlorophyll in the fridge once opened helps slow degradation.
Does chlorophyll powder go bad?
Yes, chlorophyll powder will eventually expire as well. Dry chlorophyll powders typically last about 2 years from the manufacturing date. If clumping occurs or the color fades to yellowish or brown, the powder has oxidized and should be discarded.
Can old liquid chlorophyll make you sick?
Consuming expired liquid chlorophyll is unlikely to cause illness or have harmful effects. However, decomposed chlorophyll may not provide full potency. And oxidation can produce compounds you don’t want to ingest. So it’s still best to throw out liquid chlorophyll that is past its prime.
How do you get rid of old liquid chlorophyll?
To safely dispose of liquid chlorophyll, mix it with an unpalatable substance like dirt or coffee grounds. Then place the sealed mixture in your regular household trash. You can also check if your community has a hazardous waste disposal program that accepts old supplements.
The Bottom Line
When stored correctly, unopened liquid chlorophyll can last around 2-3 years past its printed expiration date. Once opened, shelf life is reduced to 3-6 months in the refrigerator. Signs liquid chlorophyll has expired include color changes, cloudiness, foul odors, mold, and texture changes.
While not considered hazardous, it’s still best to discard liquid chlorophyll that is past its expiry or showing signs of spoilage. To maximize shelf life, store bottles properly and limit light and air exposure after opening. With optimal storage conditions, liquid chlorophyll can maintain potency for many months after opening.
