What happens to soda that has been expired for fifteen years?

Answer 1

Aspartame in diet sodas will naturally break down over time, especially if stored in higher temperatures, and in both diet and regular sodas the carbon dioxide will produce further carbonic acid (incidentally making itself flat), but aside from a change in flavour, the beverage is likely to be completely safe to drink -- and will probably still taste good.

It would take a very, very long time for the flavour to be affected enough to be completely unacceptable -- and even then it would still be safe. Even if all of the remaining carbon dioxide has broken down into sour acid (which would take years in an unopened can), it's still far more dilute and less acidic than your stomach acid, assuming you can handle the terrible flavour.

Soda is usually consumed well before this becomes a problem, of course.

One caution should be made: any sodas that contain real fruit juice, like orange soda, grape soda, etc., should be viewed as potentially unsafe after their expiration. They can mould or ferment rapidly once the container is opened, in the case of aluminum cans, and glass or plastic bottles which have less perfect seals should be viewed as unsafe even before opening. Of course, in all cases, this fermentation would be minimal, primarily affecting flavour and safety: it would not produce any meaningful amount of alcohol (so don't bother trying it at home ;-)).

nothing will happen it will only get flat .

i did it but with one which is 7 months expired

6/17/2010 CORRECTION by Nightlisa:

I actually opened a Diet Coke yesterday which was almost 2 years expired, and the carbonation was the opposite of flat, it was super fizzy!

I submitted this question to the Coca Cola company via their website, because it tasted as if the sweeteners had faded away. In summary, while it may not taste so great, it is SAFE to drink. So if you find the taste palatable, drink away!

Below I have included the response from Coca-Cola.

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From: cocacolasupport@na.ko.com

Reply to: coca-cola.support@na.ko.com

Date: Thu, Jun 17, 2010 at 5:51 AM

Subject RE: Coca-Cola Web Form

Thank you for contacting The Coca-Cola Company. We appreciate your interest in our brands.

The date on the packaging is the "Optimum Taste Date." This is the date by which we recommend you consume the beverage in order to enjoy the optimum taste. The complete date code is located on the bottom of cans and on the neck of bottles. Since there is nothing in our sparkling soft drink brands that should spoil, we expect that our soft drink brands are safe to consume beyond the date.

We hope this information is helpful. Should you have additional questions or comments, please feel free to contact us again.

Robin

Industry and Consumer Affairs

The Coca-Cola Company

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So i drank a soda just awhile ago that expired on 1-3-11. Its 1-29-11 and my stomach feels weird/and hurting now. Its been like MONTHS since ive had... i just found it in my room. So i learned a GOOD lesson. never to drink soda that has been ALREADY EXPIRED.

- NOPE. It has to be something else you ate. Already been mentioned in post above that expired soda does NOT make you sick.

I just drank Bottle of coke expired July 2010 and it is Feb 2015. Only difference is it was totally flat, and flavor was disappering. otherwise it was good.

Answer 2

you drink it