Protein expiration date...

[the_baron]

OK, now I realize this probably a stupid question, but I will ask it anyway. How close to the expiration or use by date should you be when using protein? After my PWO shake this morning, I looked at the container and it says use by 9/2006. I have been using this same stuff for the last month. Should I chuck the rest of what I have and get a new supply? Or is it still OK to use?

[Lost Dog]

A year or so back, I read something by a reputable nutrition guy (don't know who) who said that the taste or ability to blend without clumping might degrade, but to go for it.

He also said that it degrades far worse for those who crack them open and then take months to use it than those who let it sit, unopened, for a year past the expiration date.

If it were me, which it has been, I'd use it up. It's dry, so it's not going to spoil in the traditional sense. At least not that quickly.

If you have many unopened jugs past expiration, please don't destroy the environment by merely throwing them into the trash. PM me and I'll shoot you my address... er, the address of a reputable protein recycler.

[cdkrug]

Dry whey powder stored in a cool dry place seems to have the shelf life of Twinkies, in my experience.

On the other hand, MRE mixes in sealed envelopes have gone bad in the same time frame.

YMMV, not valid in Vermont and all that good stuff.