topic Re: Why? Bottles of Water have Use by/Sell by Dates? in Community Chat

Why? Bottles of Water have Use by/Sell by Dates?

JoyFilled Warrior — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 06:06:16 GMT

*scratching my head*

Why? Do Bottles of simply only Water have a Use by, or Sell by Date?

Re: Why? Bottles of Water have Use by/Sell by Dates?

TheMemphisVette — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 06:26:18 GMT

yes

Re: Why? Bottles of Water have Use by/Sell by Dates?

haddon9 — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 10:40:49 GMT

Maybe the longer they sit the more likely that the micro plastics break down and get into the water?

Re: Why? Bottles of Water have Use by/Sell by Dates?

We rescue cats — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 11:44:24 GMT

The company will say it is the suggested use by date so that the qality is not compromised. I think it is sell more, many folks may throw it away believing it had 'expired'. I think it is a sales ploy.

Re: Why? Bottles of Water have Use by/Sell by Dates?

JoyFilled Warrior — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 11:51:38 GMT

@haddon9 Ohhh . hmm So maybe just plain water can break down microplastics, perhaps? The longer in plastic bottles, the more leeching happens? hmm! I'd better pay more attention to these dates! And/Or pour out this bottled water into glass containers, the sooner the better. Thanks @haddon9

Re: Why? Bottles of Water have Use by/Sell by Dates?

Carolina925 — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 11:55:35 GMT

I noticed that in the past few years with my hurricane supplies. I'm guessing, as others have said, that it's because of the plastic leaching into the water.

Re: Why? Bottles of Water have Use by/Sell by Dates?

CalminHeart — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 12:03:36 GMT

Plastic water bottles have expiration dates because of the potential for plastic leaching into the water over time. This affects taste and quality of water.

The water itself doesn't "expire" in the sense of going bad, but the bottle can degrade and release chemicals into the water.

Re: Why? Bottles of Water have Use by/Sell by Dates?

CalminHeart — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 12:05:35 GMT

A litre of bottled water contains about 240,000 particles of plastic. That is what you're drinking. Science.

Re: Why? Bottles of Water have Use by/Sell by Dates?

Estellee — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 12:21:08 GMT

@JoyFilled Warrior That's a good question, I'll start watching out more. Usually I use what I have pretty quickly before I buy more.

Re: Why? Bottles of Water have Use by/Sell by Dates?

Shanus — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 12:44:34 GMT

I use bottled water for my clothing steamer, but not for drinking. My frig. has filtered water and I fill one of those "on the go" huge thermos cups to keep track that i drink enough...8-10 glasses a day.

Re: Why? Bottles of Water have Use by/Sell by Dates?

Still Raining — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 13:04:10 GMT

They date it because the plastic in the bottle degenerates. Short lived plastic.

Re: Why? Bottles of Water have Use by/Sell by Dates?

MorningLover — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 13:33:35 GMT

Expiration dates can also be used by retailers to help with stock rotation, ensuring that older bottles are sold first, minimizing the chance of them being stored for too long and potentially degrading.

Re: Why? Bottles of Water have Use by/Sell by Dates?

World Traveler — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 13:39:43 GMT

They definitely should have "use by" dates. The water tastes terrible when they haven't been used after sitting in a car, garage, pantry, etc, unopened. I definitely notice the difference and have frequently had to throw them away because I purchased a case of them and didn't finish them in a timely manner. The plastic seems to absorb whatever is around them, like being set next to cleaners or the fumes from the car, etc.

Now I have an appliance that filters the water and just fill a bottle when I need one for on-the-go times.

Re: Why? Bottles of Water have Use by/Sell by Dates?

Stray — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 13:40:19 GMT

Bacteria growth

Re: Why? Bottles of Water have Use by/Sell by Dates?

RedTop — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 15:08:02 GMT

All of the responses are spot on, but to me it just makes sense that any product we buy and use, has an expiration date. I don't think anything should be on a store shelf forever.

Re: Why? Bottles of Water have Use by/Sell by Dates?

Kachina624 — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 15:16:46 GMT

@JoyFilled Warrior. All you have to do is ask Google

Bottled water typically has an expiration date not because the water itself spoils, but because the plastic bottle may degrade over time, potentially leaching chemicals into the water and affecting its taste or smell. The expiration date is more of a "best by" date, indicating when the manufacturer recommends the water for optimal quality and taste

Re: Why? Bottles of Water have Use by/Sell by Dates?

SilleeMee — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 15:17:45 GMT

@RedTop wrote:
All of the responses are spot on, but to me it just makes sense that any product we buy and use, has an expiration date. I don't think anything should be on a store shelf forever.

TWINKIES might last forever...LOL!

Re: Why? Bottles of Water have Use by/Sell by Dates?

cindyNC — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 15:46:55 GMT

@SilleeMee Your post made me laugh. I had a neighbor who liked Peeps, but only when they were old. Found some on a trip once that had to have been on the shelf for a few years. Yuck.

Re: Why? Bottles of Water have Use by/Sell by Dates?

SportyShorty07 — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 16:28:54 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
@RedTop wrote:
All of the responses are spot on, but to me it just makes sense that any product we buy and use, has an expiration date. I don't think anything should be on a store shelf forever.

TWINKIES might last forever...LOL!

@SilleeMee hahaha SilleeMee! So true 🤣! I love a good twinkie once in a while lol

Re: Why? Bottles of Water have Use by/Sell by Dates?

JoyFilled Warrior — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 19:21:12 GMT

Thank you for your responses! Go figure!

Gosh, I took a second look. The Sell by/Use by dates on these bottles of water are dated 3 years out! I wonder how fast/slow leeching microplastics take.