DOES CBD OIL EXPIRE?
Despite your best efforts, your bottle of CBD oil may pass its expiration date. And it becomes even harder to know if it has already gone bad when it's inside those gel capsules. Apart from a distinct change in the color or smell of the CBD oil, it's hard to tell if they've expired, except to go by the “best before" or "expiration date" on the bottle, which alludes to the shelf life of CBD.
Read on as we explore if:
- CBD oil expires
- Taking CBD oil past its expiration date isn't advised
Does CBD oil expire?
It most certainly does. From food to supplements to even the moisturizer you put on your face, everything eventually reaches its limit, including CBD.
However, just because something has an expiration or “best by” date doesn’t mean that it actually spoils and becomes unusable at that point. CBD is no exception to this rule.
Most CBD products contain a “best by” or expiration date of one to two years. This is because, at this point, the CBD product might become a little less active. The composition of CBD may change slightly over time, which could alter its original formulation. CBD oil's quality may change over time, and its carrier oil can eventually spoil, which may affect the overall product. This can happen with the organic hemp seed oil and olive oil used in Bluebird Botanicals CBD oils blends after several years.
Bluebird Botanicals’ CBD oils will last up to 500 days from when they are blended if stored in a cool, dark place. Alternatively, our CBD oil shelf life will last up to two years if stored in the refrigerator.
For some CBD, when it's chilled, be sure to restore the oil to room temperature and shake to return its consistency. This was especially important to remember when we used organic olive oil in our Complete or Complete Concentrated Soft Gels, as the olive oil would harden in the refrigerator. Since we've switched to organic MCT oil, the problem hasn't persisted.
Also, rest assured that you will most likely use your CBD before it reaches its expiration date. Bluebird Botanicals’ 1 oz bottles of CBD oil are designed to last 30 days with daily use, so even if you’re an infrequent user, you’ll still likely finish your product well before the expiration date of 500 days.
To see when your batch was made, please reference our batch database and cross-reference the batch number located on your bottle.
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What happens if you take expired CBD oils?
Expired CBD oil is unlikely to cause side effects, but is also unlikely to be effective. Over time, the composition of cannabinoids in CBD oil may change, potentially affecting the original formulation. That means expired CBD oil may not provide the same experience as when it was freshly formulated.
Moreover, expired CBD oils can be contaminated with harmful microorganisms, especially if it hasn't been stored properly. If you take contaminated CBD products, you might experience nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, or stomach cramps.
So, it is best not to consume expired CBD oil.
To avoid potential risks, discard expired or contaminated CBD oils. If you're unsure if your CBD extract is still good, it's best to exercise caution and discard it.
Here are storage tips to extend CBD oil's shelf life:
- Use an airtight, glass container or keep it tightly capped in its original container.
- Store CBD oil in your medicine cabinet, pantry, or in any dark, cool place.
- When storing CBD oil in your refrigerator, wrap it with aluminum foil to protect it from light whenever someone opens the door.
- Avoid storing CBD oil near windows or devices that emit heat, like the oven, toaster, stove, rice cooker, and microwave oven.
If CBD oil is past its expiration date, its quality may be affected. If you have concerns after consuming it, consult a healthcare professional.
However, you should seek urgent medical care if you experience negative symptoms and effects after consuming expired CBD oil.
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Check out our collection of CBD products - CBD oils, CBD soft gels, CBD gummies, and CBD topicals.
