Does Soda Go Bad?

Soda is a popular carbonated soft drink that many people enjoy. However, you may wonder - does soda go bad? The answer is yes, soda does expire and go flat after a period of time. However, there are many factors that affect soda's shelf life and freshness.

How Long Does Soda Last?

An unopened soda can or bottle can last 6-9 months past its printed expiration date, if stored properly in a cool, dark place. Once opened, the soda will go flat within a few days.

A 2-liter or 20 oz plastic soda bottle will last about 5-6 months past its printed date unopened. After opening, it will start going flat within 1-2 days.

Fountain soda from fast food restaurants or gas stations will go flat within one day.

What Causes Soda to Go Bad?

There are a few key factors that cause soda to expire and go flat:

Exposure to air - When a soda container is opened, carbon dioxide gas escapes, causing the soda to lose its carbonation.
Time - Over many months, even unopened sodas will slowly lose carbonation and go flat.
Heat - Exposure to high temperatures speeds up the release of carbon dioxide from soda.
Sunlight - Prolonged sunlight exposure can cause the compounds in soda to degrade.

Signs Your Soda is Going Bad

Here are some signs that indicate your soda is past its prime and going bad:

Flat taste with little carbonation
Off smells - While fresh soda has a bright, sharp scent, bad soda may smell stale, moldy, or skunky.
Change in color - Clear sodas may darken over time as compounds degrade.
Expired date on the can or bottle

Factors That Affect Soda Shelf Life

Several key factors impact how long soda stays fresh and retains its carbonation:

1. Ingredients

Ingredients like carbonated water, sugar, citric acid, and sodium benzoate help soda stay fresher longer. Diet sodas without sugar tend to expire faster.

2. Container Material

Plastic soda bottles allow carbonation to escape faster than aluminum cans. However, even cans lose their fizz over time.

3. Storage Temperature

Warmer temperatures speed up the release of carbon dioxide from soda. Store soda in a cool, dry place around 40F to maximize freshness.

4. Exposure to Air

Once a soda container is opened and exposed to oxygen, the soda will start going flat within hours to days.

How to Tell If Soda Is Still Good?

Follow these tips to evaluate if an unopened or opened soda is still good to drink:

Check the "Best By" or expiration date on the can or bottle.
Make sure the container isnt bloated, rusted, or damaged.
Give it a sniff test - toss if the aroma seems off.
Check the color - significant darkening may be a sign it's gone bad.
Taste a small sip - it should still taste crisp and properly carbonated.

Is Flat Soda Bad For You?

Flat soda lacks its signature carbonation, but is generally still safe to drink if it has not expired. However, flat soda is not particularly healthy:

Less satisfying - The lack of bubbles makes flat soda less palatable.
May cause indigestion - The lack of carbonation can lead to gas and upset stomach when drinking flat sodas.
Contains more sugar - Without carbonation, you may drink flat soda faster, consuming more sugar in one sitting.

Can You Make Flat Soda Fizzy Again?

While you can't fully re-carbonate soda once it has gone flat, you can add some fizz back by:

Adding a pinch of baking soda and fresh lemon juice - the acid-base reaction produces carbon dioxide bubbles.
Dropping in carbonation tablets or seltzer drops.
Mixing the flat soda with a freshly opened one.
Adding a few mentos candies - this creates a rapid, short-lived fizzy reaction.

How Long Does Soda Last After Opening?

Once opened, here is how long various sodas will retain decent carbonation:

Plastic soda bottle - 1-2 days
Liter glass soda bottle - 2-3 days
Can - 3-4 days
20 oz PET soda bottle - 5-7 days

To help your opened sodas last longer:

Recap the bottle or can tightly.
Store opened sodas in the fridge.
Pour into a cup with ice to minimize contact with air.
Consider buying smaller cans or bottles.

Does Soda Ever Explode?

Rarely, bottles of soda that contain yeast and sugar can undergo fermentation, producing CO2 gas and pressure that can lead to explosions. Warning signs include:

Bulging or distorted bottoms
Fizzing upon opening
Gelatinous texture
White floaty strands or bubbles

To prevent build up of pressure, carefully open over a sink. Discard any soda that seems overcarbonated.

Does Canned Soda Go Bad?

Yes, canned soda eventually goes bad once the sealed can is opened. An opened canned soda will taste flat within 3-5 days. An unopened canned soda will slowly lose its carbonation over 6-12 months but remain drinkable.

Signs that a canned soda has gone bad include a bulging or dented can, stale or skunky aroma, and a flat taste with no bubbles. Always discard cans that are past their expiration date or seem defective.

Does Bottled Soda Go Bad?

Like canned soda, bottled soda has a shelf life and can go bad over time. For plastic soda bottles, once opened they will start going flat within 1-2 days. Unopened, they can last up to 6 months past their printed expiration date.

For glass soda bottles, opened theyll go flat in 2-4 days. Unopened they can sometimes last up to a year before losing carbonation. Discard any bottled sodas that smell or taste off.

Does Diet Soda Go Bad?

Yes, diet sodas containing artificial sweeteners and no sugar do go bad eventually. Due to the lack of sugar, diet sodas tend to have a shorter shelf life than regular sodas.

Once opened, a diet soda will taste flat and stale within 3-5 days. Unopened diet sodas are good for 3-4 months past their printed expiration date when stored in cool, dark conditions.

Does Soda Go Bad After Best By Date?

Sodas can remain drinkable and retain carbonation for a period after their Best By date, especially if unopened. Here are some soda shelf life guidelines after the Best By date:

Unopened cans - Up to 9 months
Unopened bottles - Up to 6 months
Opened cans and bottles - 1-7 days

While not harmful immediately after the Best By date, soda quality does decline over time. Always inspect soda packaging and give opened containers a sniff test.

How to Store Soda Properly

To maximize soda freshness and shelf life:

Store unopened cans and bottles in a cool, dark pantry around 40F.
Keep them away from direct heat and light sources like stoves and windows.
Once opened, refrigerate cans and reseal bottles.
Keep the soda chilled on ice when drinking to slow carbonation loss.
Buy smaller cans and bottles to finish sooner after opening.

Can Soda Be Frozen?

You can freeze soda for long-term storage but be aware that it can negatively impact the taste and carbonation:

Freezing concentrates the syrupy flavor, making it taste overly sweet after thawing.
The freezing and thawing process causes carbonation loss, leaving the soda somewhat flat.
Watered down ice crystals will form - shake the container before opening to redistribute.
Let thawed frozen sodas sit for 15-30 mins before opening to allow carbonation to recover.

Does Soda Expire?

Yes, soda does expire eventually, primarily due to a loss of carbonation over time. For best quality, drink sodas within these timelines:

Unopened cans or bottles - Within 6-9 months of printed expiration date
Opened cans - Within 3-5 days
Opened bottles - Within 1-7 days depending on size

While still safe to consume after the expiration date, opened and unopened sodas will gradually go flat and lose their fizz.

Conclusion

Soda does have an expiration date and can go bad over time. Exposure to heat, air, and sunlight degrades the quality and carbonation. Properly stored, unopened canned and bottled soda stays fizzy for 6-9 months past its printed date. Once opened, drink within 3-7 days before the soda goes flat. Check soda cans and bottles and perform a sniff test to catch bad soda before drinking.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.