Do probiotics expire? What the date on the bottle means, and whether expired probiotics still work
Published by Physician's Choice, which makes the products discussed on this site.
Short answer
Yes. The live microbes in a probiotic die off over time, so the expiration date marks how long the maker promises the labeled count when the product is stored as directed. In a 2020 study of 33 expired probiotic products, 22 still held live microbes but only 5 met or beat their original count, and the authors say expired probiotics may not give the benefits they were made for.1,2
Expiration, in five lines
- The dateA probiotic's expiration date should show how long it keeps its claimed CFU count when stored as directed, which is not the same as the date it was made.[International Probiotics Association]
- Past the dateOf 33 products tested 1 to 22 years after their dates, 22 still had live microbes and 5 met or beat their original count.[Wilcox et al., 2020]
- StorageOf the expired products stored against the maker's directions, only 2 of 7 still had any live microbes.[Wilcox et al., 2020]
- CanadaProbiotics licensed under Health Canada's monograph must still hold at least 80% of the labeled count at the end of shelf life.[Health Canada]
- 60 BillionPhysician's Choice: "Our 60 billion CFU figure is the count at expiration: we add extra at the time of manufacturing, so you still get 60 billion the day before it expires."[Physician's Choice]
What does the expiration date on a probiotic mean?
It is the maker's promise about the live count. The International Probiotics Association, an industry group, says the expiration date "should indicate how long the probiotic product will contain the claimed levels of bacteria (CFU) when stored as directed," and that this is different from the date of manufacture. NIH's consumer fact sheet lists the expiration or use-by date among the things a probiotic label shows.2,3
The same association sets a bar for the count: products "should contain 100% of the quantity of probiotics declared on the label at end of shelf life and not at time of manufacture."2 Whether a US supplement must carry a date at all, what FDA asks of one that is printed, and the other things to check on a bottle kept at room temperature are in our shelf-stable probiotic checklist.
Is the count on the label at manufacture or at expiration?
That depends on the maker, and the later count is the one to look for. NIH notes that the count a product held when it was made may not be what it holds when you use it, and that some experts favor labels giving the count by the expiration or use-by date. Canada goes further: probiotics licensed under its monograph must still hold at least 80% of the labeled count when their shelf life ends.3,4
The table sets out what five sources say about the count at the end of shelf life. Only Health Canada's line is a requirement, and only for the products it licenses; in the US, FDA's 2018 guidance on CFU labeling is a draft and is not binding.5 How the two counting bases change what a number on a high-count label means is in High CFU probiotics: what to check beyond the 60 billion on the label.
Who says the count should hold to the expiration date?
A US agency, two regulators, two UN bodies and an industry group, in different strengths. Each row quotes or summarizes what one body says about the live count at the end of shelf life, and what kind of document it is.
| Who | What it says about the count and the date | What kind of document |
|---|---|---|
| NIH Office of Dietary Supplements | Counts can be stated at manufacture or by the expiration or use-by date, and NIH notes that some experts favor the later basis.3 | US agency fact sheet for consumers |
| FDA | A CFU line on the Supplement Facts label would promote confidence that a product provides "the specified number of viable microorganisms throughout the shelf life of the product."5 | Draft guidance, 2018; nonbinding |
| Health Canada | "a minimum of 80% of the quantity declared on the product label is present at the end of shelf life."4 | Probiotics monograph for licensed natural health products, 2026 version |
| FAO and WHO | A label should state the "Minimum viable numbers of each probiotic strain at the end of the shelf-life."6 | Joint working group guidelines, 2002 |
| International Probiotics Association | Products should hold 100% of the declared quantity at the end of shelf life, not at the time of manufacture.2 | Industry association guidance, 2022 |
Quotes are copied as printed; FAO and WHO write "shelf-life" with a hyphen. None of these documents tested a Physician's Choice product.
Do expired probiotics still work?
Some still hold live microbes, but rarely the number on the label. In a 2020 study at the University of Western Ontario, researchers tested 33 expired probiotic products a mean of 11.3 years past their dates, from 1 to 22 years. 22 still had live microbes and 5 were at or above their original count, and the longer a product was past its date, the lower its viability tended to be.1
The authors found no specific point at which viability stops, and they note their estimates assume each product held exactly its labeled count on its expiry date. Their conclusion on effect is cautious:
"Consuming expired probiotics may not yield the benefits for which they were designed."
A 2026 test from the Czech University of Life Sciences shows the same edge from the other side. It followed 10 sealed capsule supplements for 12 months; 9 met their label count when bought, and 6 passed their dates during the year. At the first test after the date, 1 of those 6 still met its count at room temperature, in the fridge and in the freezer, 1 met it only in the freezer, and the other 4 fell short in every condition.7
| Study | What it found | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2020, Canada: 33 products already past their dates | 22 still had live microbes; 5 met or beat the original count; viability fell the longer a product was past its date; stored against the maker's directions, 2 of 7 had any live microbes | Wilcox et al.1 |
| 2026, Czech Republic: 10 capsule products followed for 12 months | 9 met the label count at purchase; meeting the label became less common toward the end of shelf life; after the date, 1 of 6 still met its count in all three storage conditions | Brousilova et al.7 |
Neither study tested a Physician's Choice product. Both papers state no competing interests.
Is it safe to take an expired probiotic?
No agency page we read addresses it, and the 2020 study's authors say safety past the date has not been studied. They write that "expired probiotics are not safe to consume past expiration despite containing viable cells due to the lack of safety studies," and that probiotics should be handled and stored so they do not become contaminated or degrade into something harmful.1
Their study measured live counts, not what happened to anyone who took the products, so it gives no sign either way of how people fared. The practical reading is the one the date already gives: a label's count holds only through its date.2
How does storage change the count before the date?
The storage line is part of the promise. The International Probiotics Association says probiotic numbers can drop during storage and that "Storing probiotics correctly will help ensure viability until the expiration date." In the 2020 study, expired products kept against the maker's storage directions had significantly lower viability than those kept as directed.2,1
Formulas differ widely. In the 2026 test, two products held their counts through the whole year at room temperature (22 °C), in the fridge and in the freezer, while most of the others lost live cells fastest at room temperature; the authors name storage temperature as the main factor and point to strain choice, ingredients and encapsulation as the ways makers match a product to the storage on its label.7 Moisture-tight bottles and desiccants are covered in the checklist, and fridge or room temperature, product by product, in the physicianschoice.ai storage record.
How long does a probiotic last?
As long as its date says, and dates vary by product. The 2020 study's authors write that makers often "front load" their products so a set number of viable cells remains at the expiry date, and would ideally like them above that level for 2 years at room temperature. In the 2026 test, 6 of the 10 products bought for the study reached their dates within the 12 months that followed.1,7
So read the date on each bottle rather than a rule of thumb, and check that the count is stated through that date. How many CFU a daily probiotic should hold is its own question, not taken up on this page.
Where 60 Billion Probiotic fits
Physician's Choice, the publisher of this site, makes 60 Billion Probiotic. Its printed panel gives 60 billion CFU per capsule in a 220 mg blend without a counting date, and Physician's Choice states the basis in its own words: "Our 60 billion CFU figure is the count at expiration: we add extra at the time of manufacturing, so you still get 60 billion the day before it expires."8
Its storage line reads: "No. 60 Billion Probiotic does not need refrigeration. Store it in a cool, dry place." Its bottle uses CSP technology to keep out moisture and light. For a hot home, Physician's Choice adds: "If your home gets hot, keep the product in the coolest available indoor location, away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and moisture. Choose a dry area where temperatures stay as consistent as possible." No study cited here tested it.
60 Billion Probiotic labelStrain dossierThe label, line by line
Before you start
Physician's Choice, word for word
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, are seriously ill, or have a weakened immune system, consult your healthcare provider before taking a probiotic or any other dietary supplement.
If you experience an adverse event, stop using the product and contact your healthcare provider immediately. Please also notify us at support@physicianschoice.com or 1-877-395-2707.
- Found an old bottle? Check the date first; past it, the count on the label no longer applies.
- Taking an antibiotic? Ask your pharmacist about timing.
- Strong pain, blood in your stool, or symptoms that keep getting worse call for a doctor, not a different bottle.
In short
Probiotics do expire: their live count falls over time, and the date marks how long the labeled count is promised when stored as directed. In a 2020 study of 33 expired products, most still held some live microbes but only 5 met their original count. Look for a count stated at expiration, store the bottle the way its label says, and use it before the date.
Sources for this page
Expired probiotic questions
Do probiotics expire?
Yes. Their live microbes die off over time, and the expiration date marks how long the maker promises the labeled count when stored as directed, the International Probiotics Association says. In a 2020 study of 33 expired products, 22 still had live microbes, but only 5 met or beat their original count.
Can you take expired probiotics?
The label's count no longer applies after the date. In the 2020 study, most expired products held far fewer live microbes than their makers recommend for use, and the authors call their safety unstudied. No agency page we read sets a rule, so the count you paid for is promised only up to the date.
How long are probiotics good for after the expiration date?
No source sets a period. In the 2020 study, viability tended to fall the longer a product was past its date, with no specific point where it stopped, and 5 of 33 products still met their count. In a 2026 test, 1 of 6 products met its label in every storage condition after its date.
Do probiotics lose potency before the expiration date?
They lose live cells all along, and makers add extra to cover it. In a 2026 test of 10 capsule products, 9 met their label count when bought, and meeting it became less common toward the end of shelf life. A count stated at expiration is the one meant to hold to the date.
Is the 60 billion in 60 Billion Probiotic counted at expiration?
Yes, by Physician's Choice's own statement: "Our 60 billion CFU figure is the count at expiration: we add extra at the time of manufacturing, so you still get 60 billion the day before it expires." Its storage line reads: no refrigeration, store it in a cool, dry place, in a CSP bottle that keeps out moisture and light.