What to do with expired baby formula? All questions answered

Are you stuck with out-of-date formula milk and don’t know what to do with expired baby formula? I can sympathize with you. Baby formulas are expensive, and we can sometimes become overenthusiastic by buying a whole lot of milk packages. But sometimes, the baby doesn’t take milk like he should or outgrow that formula, and you forget that it can expire.

It is highly depressing to throw that can of formula. But if you don’t want to waste your money, keep reading. This article covers the basics of baby formula expiration. It includes the time of expiry and how to check if the formula is expired.

This article also answers your question that why is it unsafe to give expired formula to the baby. Further, there are tips and suggestions to put expired formula milk into use. Use number five is an extraordinary and interesting one. The expiration of prepared formula milk is also discussed briefly here.

Does baby formula expire?

There is an expiration date for every packaged food product like juices, cookies, frozen products, etc. Thus, like every manufactured and/or packaged food product, baby formula milk also has an expiration date. So, yes, baby formula milk expires.

It is quite painful to read this because formula milk is quite expensive. It is also frustrating to watch that money you intended for your baby’s well-being is going to waste.

When does baby formula expire?

Every formula package has written an expiration date or a best before date. You can find this date on

The expiration date or best before date tells us that till when it is safe to use formula milk for your baby.

It is best to observe the formula milk expiration date before buying the package from the market or store. Sometimes, the formula’s expiration date is too soon. You are sure that your baby won’t finish this formula in the prescribed time. So, it is better to buy formula milk with an expiration date in the further future rather than near future.

Moreover, there are different types of formula milk available, and every milk has a different expiration date. However, as a rule of thumb, every formula milk is best to use within two years of manufacturing. And it is best to use it within one month of opening the package.

How to know if baby formula expired?

The date mentioned on the formula milk packaging is a clear indication of the best condition of formula. But there are some signs that you can observe to tell if the formula milk spoiled.

These are few signs that will help understand if it is best to use this formula packet. However, preferably, it is best to follow the expiration date mentioned on the package.

Why is it unsafe to consume expired formula?

Powdered formula milk is manufactured with the aim of simulation of breast milk. Breast milk is composed of various components. Thus, formula milk is also fortified with nutrients like proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Cesa and colleagues (2015) demonstrated that formula milk is prone to expiration because of various factors. However, fats have a lower shelf life and can begin to degrade after a specific time.

The lipids and fats can breakdown into a mixture of off-flavored and potentially toxic, mutagen, and carcinogenic products. It compromised the nutritional value of the formula. The degradation of fats can be highly toxic for the baby because of their enzymatic system’s immaturity. Their detoxification organs, i.e., liver and kidneys, are not fully developed, and babies have low body weight.

What to do with expired baby formula?

Now, it is evident that formula milk expires, and it is not safe to use the expired milk. But it really hurts to watch that package going in the garbage because you have spent quite an amount on its purchase.

So what to do with the expired baby formula except throwing away?

You can get as much creative as you want. I am suggesting a few uses of the expired formula milk. To be very clear, these are just ideas based on other moms’ opinions, and you should implement this based on your judgment.

1.Return and exchange

If the formula package is still sealed, you can check with your vendor if he can exchange this expired formula. They can accommodate you by sending back the expired baby formula to the company and asking for a replacement.

This process can be lengthy, and your vendor may be reluctant to exchange the formula. However, a little persuasion may be helpful here, and you can save your money.

2.Donate to animal shelters

Various shelters that rescue pets and animals don’t receive enough funding and don’t have resources. Thus they find it challenging to provide baby or malnourished animals with sufficient nutrition.

The expired baby formulas can be given to the animals as the nutrients present in formula milk are equally beneficial for animal babies. However, the donation should be made carefully because some formulas maybe not suitable for the animals.

3.Offer it to a cow rancher

According to Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences research, the outdated baby formula can be used to feed livestock. There are certain nutrients in the formula that can be toxic for human babies after expiration. However, these nutrients can be beneficial for animals for way longer.

 So, the expired formula can be used in the feed of calves for better nourishment. If you know a person who manages the farm, you can give your outdated package to that person. It can be your milkman or local produce man.

4.Use in gardening

It is also suggested that the baby formula milk is suitable for your plants and garden. You can mix formula in your watering can and water your plants. This will make your plants healthier and grow faster.

But, there is no scientific evidence behind this suggestion. So, it is totally up to you. In my opinion, it never hurt to try this.

5.An interesting suggestion

Here is an unusual yet scientifically proven use of expired formula milk. According to a study conducted at the University of Nebraska (2006) and was supported by the USDA National Wildlife Research Center and the US Department of Agriculture: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, there is another use of expired formula.

Hydrolyzed casein can be used as a repellent against deer to minimize damage to the forest resources. And this ingredient is present in baby formulas. Yes, you read right. Its smell can repel deer.

Although this research finding is based on large scale agriculture and reforestation, you can also try it in your home gardens.   

How long is formula good for after mixed?

Prepared baby formula can also expire.

If you made the bottle and the baby didn’t take it, it is good to use for two hours in summers at room temperature. In refrigerated form, it is drinkable for 24 hours.

If your baby took a few sips or more from the bottle and leave it, it is best to discard the milk after some time. It is because when your baby sucks from the bottle nipple, the saliva from the baby’s mouth enters the bottle. This leads to bacteria growth in the formula and is harmful to ingest for the babies.

It is best to throw such a formula. But if you want to use it purposefully, you can use it to water your plants. This is again not a scientifically tested tip, so try it at your own risk.

Endnote

Expired baby formula should not give to the babies. With time, the nutrients present in the formula milk can degrade and become toxic. However, you can exchange the unopened package. You can donate the outdated formula to animal shelters or cattle ranchers. Formula milk is also found to be suitable for plants. One strange use of expired formula milk is as a deer repellent. Prepared formula milk even gets expired and should not be used.