How in the world does water expire?

Question

Why does water have an expiration date.

Answer 1

Water is known as the universal solvent. What that means is that it will absorb almost anything. So, even though it's been on earth for millions of years, once you put water in a bottle it's life is limited. Its actually better for you to drink tap water than bottle water because florescent lights, the kind of lights that illuminate every convenience store in the world, help grow bacteria. During the bottling process, there are various processes used to clean up the water including filtration and ozonation. If too much ozone was added, the plastic will leach into the bottles. If too little ozone was added, bacteria can start growing immediately.
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More information can be found at the following website:

http://www.nrdc.org/water/drinking/bw/bwinx.asp

Answer 2

Water is known as the universal solvent. What that means is that it will absorb almost anything. So, even though it's been on earth for millions of years, once you put water in a bottle it's life is limited. Its actually better for you to drink tap water than bottle water because florescent lights, the kind of lights that illuminate every convenience store in the world, help grow bacteria. During the bottling process, there are various processes used to clean up the water including filtration and ozonation. If too much ozone was added, the plastic will leach into the bottles. If too little ozone was added, bacteria can start growing immediately.

Answer 3

Because, out in the real world it is constantly being refreshed through the water cycle. Once you stuff it into a bottle, without the ability to oxygenate it will go stale, eventually.

There is also a requirement in Europe to have a best before date on everything that can be eaten. Cans/tins that used to last for ever now have a 2 or 3 year date on them.

Answer 4

There are two main types of sterilization that all food and drink manufacturers use. The first is the use of peracetic acid that gives an instant kill to most pathogens (bugs that make you ill). The second is the use of steam. Holding a steam temperature of above 120 degrees in the product line for 15 minutes will kill virtually all pathogens. However, some bacteria form spores which are virtually indestructible and can last for millions of years. The only way to make totally sterile drinks would be to irradiate them, which wouldn't make them radioactive, but would make them cost a great deal of money to produce. Thus, the manufacturer cannot guarantee that their product is free of pathogens and gives it a 'use by' to minimize their liability. Packaging deterioration is the other reason for the "Best By" Date.

Answer 5

Water does not expire but has got best before date stamp. So even if you drink after it does not remain best, its ok, but then there are chances that the water will have some kind of bacterias who would have entered the disinfected water.

Answer 6

It doesn't actually expire, but after a long period of time the water will start to taste stale. It is not bad for you, it will just taste funny. Some stores use the expiration date to monitor and rotate their inventory.

Answer 7

If the water has organic content it can go bad. The water may acquire the leached chemicals from the plastic over time that can effect the taste. The vendor protects its brand from poor consumer experience.

Answer 8

From the other answers I assume you mean bottled spring water but you don't actually say.
I live on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and that's made of water and that NEVER expires!

Answer 9

if it was pure h2o, it wouldnt expire, however the water contains chemicals, and micro-lifeforms, bacteria and dirt particles, no matter how clean it is. the water will go stale if not refreshed after a while.

Answer 10

I would imagine that it has to do with the integrity of the plastic bottle that it´s contained in affecting the water itself. Over time the plastic must break down and either allow outside particles to enter, or particles of plastic also could diminish the integrity of the water. My guess.