For most people, vitamins and minerals come from a healthy, well-balanced diet. If you're one of those people who requires vitamin supplementation due to health conditions or insufficient dietary intake, pay close attention to the manufacturer’s label. The expiration date printed on the label is an important piece of information to never overlook.
Expiration Date
Based on information provided by Harvard Medical School, the U.S. government passed a law requiring pharmaceutical manufacturers to supply an expiration date on the packaging of any medication or vitamin supplement. This law, passed in 1979, guarantees that you will get the maximum benefits from the drug you are taking. The U.S. government warns consumers, that ingesting the drug after the printed expiration date is not proven safe or effective.
Potency
The biggest consideration when it comes to expiration dates on your vitamin supplements is potency. Creighton University School of Medicine explains that the expiration date stamped on the supplements label guaranteed 100 percent potency. After the expiration date, the supplements may be less effective. While taking a vitamin after the expiration date may not harm you, as time goes on it is a possibility that the vitamins will not be working to their full potential.
Storage
In regards to potency, the expiration date on your vitamins can prove useless without adequate storage. Vitamins and other medications require a cool environment away from dampness and humidity. North Dakota State University Extension Service explains that drugs stored in a warm, humid location such as the bathroom medicine cabinet, are more likely to lose their potency than those stored under cooler conditions. If you are unable to locate a cool location within your home, store the vitamins in your refrigerator.
Disposal
If you come across an expired bottle of vitamins in your medicine chest, avoid flushing the contents down the toilet or carelessly tossing the bottle into the trash. The Environmental Protection Agency, recommends a specific method for medication and vitamin disposal. These guidelines suggest concealing any personal information printed on the bottle along with the prescription number. Cover the number with ink from a permanent marker. Fill an empty plastic container with coffee grounds, cat litter or some other undesirable material, open the bottle and drop the vitamins in. Seal the plastic container, which can then go out with the regular trash.
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