BlowOut Clearance Section: Expired & Short Dated Supplements
Did you know we have a full Blowouts clearance section?
Lowcostvitamin.com check expiration dates in our warehouse on a monthly basis, and we are constantly updating our clearance section with great deals on expired and near expiring items. You can find cheap bodybuilding supplements for sale including short dated and expired protein, pre-workouts, creatine, post-workouts, muscle builders, fat burners, energy supplements and vitamins all at huge discounts.
Why do items end up in the clearance section?
Well supplements are sometimes a lot like fashion for some items, as things can be trendy. For instance, a pre workout that was hot 6 months ago, may not be as popular now. As a result we end up with excess inventory. This is where you can walk away with a great deal. We sell these items for less, to make room for new items, and in most cases we’d rather sell them to you for a discount than throw them out.
How long past the expiration date are supplements safe and potent?
Supplements have an expiration date assigned at the time of manufacturing. This is done by reputable manufacturers (all supplements we carry have an expiration date), as it is not required by the FDA.1 The evidence demonstrating the exact expiration date needed is lacking. What we mean by that is the date is somewhat arbitrary, and is a conservative estimate. In other words, it’s not an exact date based on the potency of a given ingredient being compromised. Rather it’s just that a date is placed on the item, and manufacturers assign a date that is long before the shelf life is compromised. It benefits manufactures to be conservative with this date for a couple of reasons. First it more or less guarantees 100% potency, and it encourages more sales.
The factors that will determine the shelf life of a supplement are, 1) the ingredients/type of supplement 2) where they are stored 3) the initial quality.
1) Items, such as ready to drinks and bars have a much shorter shelf life than vitamins and other dry powders. When stored properly and the initial quality standard are met, one can expect the following:
1. Vitamins/minerals, amino acids, and most herbs in a capsule or tablet form remain maximally potent for roughly 2 years after the expiration date.
2. Fish oil and EFA capsules are typically stable and potent for up to 6 months after the expiration/sell by date (we recommend refrigerating them after opening).
3. Protein powders are good for at least 1 year after expiration. Storing these in a cool and dry place will extend the shelf life greatly (in many cases beyond 1 year after expiration).
4. Preworkout and other amino acid powders – Like protein powders, they are good for at least 1 year after expiration. Sometimes these powders can harden up and clump if they are stored in warm, moist place or open for extended time. In other cases this may happen due to a particular ingredient. When preworkout powders harden or clump up, they may take more time to dissolve. Try warn liquids versus cold.
5. Fat burners – these fall under the same recommendation as herbal supplements, remain maximally potent for roughly 2 years after expiration.
2) Ensuring supplements are stored in a cool, dry place away from unnecessary light will extend the shelf life. We maintain a temperature controlled warehouse. We keep supplements away from unnecessary light, heat, and moisture. We have no control over temperature during shipping.
3) One of the main factors in determining the long term quality and consequent shelf life of a supplement is the initial quality. Supplements are made by reputable manufacturers in a sterile environment. They are tested at the time of manufacturing with a microbial limit, non-essential materials, heavy metals, and pro oxidant residue test.
Reference
1.U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Guidance for Industry: Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packaging, Labeling, or Holding Operations for Dietary Supplements; Small Entity Compliance Guide. FDA.
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/DietarySupplements/ucm238182.htm. Published December 2010. Updated December 30, 2014. Accessed July 21, 2015.