Bottled water expiration??

[EX121]

So we found a bunch of 20oz bottled water stuck in the back of the Search & Rescue building. It had an expiration date of Dec '09, it hasn't frozen , was stored in the dark. I think it's probably ok to drink. Others say no.
Comments ?

[runtothehills]

Hmm?, I don't think I'd drink it out of the bottle. Maybe, If thats all I had in a SHTF scenario. But then, I would still boil or filter it. That's just me. Some guys might chug it! Get the craps in the morning and be ok. You never know what bottled water companies do, some say spring water, ect, ect. But, I'd rather drink some treated water with chlorine that has been sitting around for awhile, than spring water that has been sitting around. Normally bottled water expires after 2 years, and you said Dec. 09, just alittle ify for me. You will get a bunch of different answers, but this is mine.:cool:

[Triple-sod]

It’s something I’ve wondered myself, I found this;

http://www.eatoutmagazine.co.uk/online_article/Why-does-bottled-water-have-a-best-before-date/10931

Best before dates are used because:

• Food labelling laws require the batches to be traceable. Therefore, the law requires every bottle to display a batch number. Best before dates can make up part of this number.

• A best before date reduces the chances of incorrect storage.

• A best before date lessens the chances of labels and packaging becoming torn and therefore the chances of the water not being sellable for aesthetic reasons.

• A best before date will aid stock rotation.

and this;

http://stilltasty.com/questions/index/26/page:1

From a safety perspective, you have nothing to worry about.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, unopened commercially bottled water will keep safe indefinitely, as long as the bottles remain properly sealed and aren’t damaged.

After long-term storage, the bottled water’s appearance, smell or taste may change somewhat, but the water will still be safe to consume, says the FDA.

And while bottled water manufacturers are permitted to put expiration dates on their labels, these dates are meant to be indicators of quality, not safety.

So looks like your pretty safe.

[runtothehills]

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, unopened commercially bottled water will keep safe indefinitely, as long as the bottles remain properly sealed and aren’t damaged.

That's the funniest thing I heard all year!

[protus]

drink it.

youll be fine

[Knobster]

I have a couple bottles of water in the trunk of my car for emergencies and just happened to need water a few weeks ago. (All right, not a true emergency but I was damn thirsty and about an hour from home!) Commercially bottled water, well over a year old, sat through extreme weather changes in a dark trunk. Chugged it, woke up the next morning feelin' fine.

[Klayton]

I am assuming it is in a clear plastic bottle?
If so hold it up in a well lit room with a white backdrop, look for floaties.
None? Now do the same thing with a black backdrop, still no floaties?
You are probably safe, you could always put it through a simple filter to be safe.
Not scientific, but if there are no floaties after that period of time, and it is still sealed, I am thinking you are pretty safe.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

https://www.survivalandpreparednessforum.com/showthread.php?1050-Water-Dispenser-Bottles&highlight=water+bottles

Read what Christian For Isreal posted

[EX121]

Thanks All, We'll use it.

[2682nscovell]

So we found a bunch of 20oz bottled water stuck in the back of the Search & Rescue building. It had an expiration date of Dec '09, it hasn't frozen , was stored in the dark. I think it's probably ok to drink. Others say no.
Comments ?

Just boil the water for 10 minutes before you drink it if you're a little weary about it.

I doubt drinking it would be in any way harmful. Especially if it's been out of sun light. I personally would boil it, killing any bacteria that could have infected it.

[EX121]

Speaking of boiling water, I used to stick by the rule of 10 minutes, but I have read recently that 1 minute of a hard boil is just as effective. I'll do a search and see if I can find a source.
Anyone else read this?

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Always heard that once it's to a boil, I mean a real boil, not the bubbles in the bottom it was good

[EX121]

Matt that what the consenus of opinion is out there in internet land, that once it reaches a roiling the pot boil it's good. Except at high altitude due to the fact that it boils at a lower temprature.

[Klayton]

How about bring to a rolling boil, sing Happy Birthday as your SHTF timer, then turn off the heat and let cool. =)

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Matt that what the consenus of opinion is out there in internet land, that once it reaches a roiling the pot boil it's good. Except at high altitude due to the fact that it boils at a lower temprature.

From what everyone says the buggies can't live thru the boil temps and everything else is wasted fuel. i dunno, I usually let mine go a little bit cause i'm paranoid i guess, kinda like me treatin the water i just filtered, I know is probably wasted but them runs aint no joke and you will be down min. 3 days