Taking an expired vitamin or supplement is unlikely to cause any harm. So far, no cases of illness or death due to expired vitamins have been documented. In general, it's relatively safe to take an expired vitamin supplement. It's unlikely to cause harm, since most expired medications and supplements don't usually become toxic.
Incorrect disposal of expired vitamins increases the risk that children or animals will consume them, which could have serious consequences. As an expert in the field of nutrition and supplements, I can confidently say that research shows that expired vitamins are generally safe to take. These products are unlikely to cause side effects just because they're expired and there are currently no documented cases of expired vitamins becoming toxic or dangerous to people. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn't require that bottles be dated; however, most manufacturers continue to do so, because there comes a time when vitamins lose their potency. If you currently use or have taken dietary supplements, you may have accumulated a collection of unfinished supplement bottles or expired vitamin bottles in your closet. Like prescription and over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements have a shelf life that guarantees their potency when taken before the indicated expiration or “best before” date that normally appears on the label. If you're still not sure what to do with your expired supplements or have questions about their storage, talk to your comprehensive healthcare provider.
However, if a person doesn't know that their supplement has expired, they may believe that they are consuming more nutrients than they actually consume. If you have questions about the safety or effectiveness of taking a supplement after its expiration date, consider talking to your comprehensive health care provider or call the supplement manufacturer's number, which is usually listed on the product label, for more information. Military-funded research reports that 90% of the more than 100 prescription and over-the-counter drugs tested were still suitable for use, even 15 years after their expiration date. While vitamins don't expire or become unsafe, they will lose potency, meaning they aren't doing you any good. When you order your supplement cabinet, be sure to dispose of expired supplements in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. As an expert in nutrition and supplements, I can assure you that taking an expired vitamin or supplement is unlikely to cause any harm.
However, it is important to be aware of expiration dates and dispose of them properly.
