Energy drink expiration date

Posted on July 8, 2014 | Last updated February 22, 2025

Checking the Expiry Dates of Energy Drinks in Japan and Overseas

I've personally been curious about the expiry dates of energy drinks. The reason is that, domestically and internationally, I sometimes purchase dozens to hundreds of energy drinks, and it's not uncommon for one or two years to pass without me noticing. While I don't think there are many issues with energy drinks in Japan, the real concern is with energy drinks from the U.S.

Author information Author: Energy Drink-kun

In 2001, while living in the United States, I encountered energy drinks through the dance scene and was deeply impressed. After returning to Japan, I found that energy drinks were considered novelty beverages, so I established a comprehensive website in 2013 to share the true appeal of energy drinks. As an energy drink enthusiast, I began drinking them seriously again, collecting over 7,000 varieties of energy drinks from various countries. I am also active as a critic and expert, receiving media interviews.

Expiration Dates of Common Energy Drinks

As I mentioned in How to Buy Energy Drinks at a Low Price, the expiration date for energy drinks, which are considered soft drinks, is typically about one year from the date of manufacture. That's why you often see discounted energy drinks appearing about a year after they were first sold.

The expiration date is not the same as the "use by" date, so it doesn't mean that the drink becomes undrinkable once it passes that date. Most people know that it's simply the period during which the drink is at its best.

Additionally, this might not be entirely true, but in Japan, due to strict regulations, the expiration dates are usually set shorter. For example, in the U.S., milk can have an expiration date of one month, while in Japan, the shorter expiration dates might surprise people. Differences in sterilization methods and preservatives aside, Japan tends to set shorter expiration dates, but that doesn't mean the product will necessarily have degraded after a year.

How to Read the Expiration Date on Japanese Energy Drinks

In Japan, expiration dates are mostly printed on the back of cans.
Expiration Date of Energy Drink
On the left is a Red Bull, with an expiration date of December 9, 2014.
On the right is Explosion, with an expiration date of September 10, 2014.
It's pretty easy to understand ( ´∀｀)b Good!

How to Read the Expiration Date on American Energy Drinks

In the U.S., the expiration date is also generally printed on the back of the can.

The format differs from Japan, as it is written as "Month/Day/Year." Meanwhile, products from Europe tend to follow the "Day/Month/Year" format.
Some products may only list the "Month/Year" without specifying the exact day.

Expiration Date of Energy Drink
On the left is NOS, with an expiration date of September 1, 2014.
On the right is Starbucks Doubleshot Energy, with an expiration date of November 18, 2013.
This is also easy to understand.

Interestingly, Monster Energy in the U.S. does not display the expiration date. Instead, the manufacture date is printed as a code on the back of the can, so you'll need to interpret it yourself.

And a bonus:
Valentino Rossi's "The Doctor" energy drink is from the UK, and as expected, it also has an expiration date on the back of the can.
Expiration Date of Energy Drink
It shows May 2016, giving it a two-year shelf life. If this is indicated, the barcode might represent the manufacturing date.

For famous energy drinks like Rockstar and Monster, however, the expiration date remains unclear.

Do You Have to Judge Everything Yourself?

If you're unsure about the expiration date, the best option is to use your judgment and avoid drinking it if it seems questionable. Drinking something that's obviously gone bad is a bit beyond my understanding (；´∀｀).

In overseas markets, this is common not just for energy drinks, but for any items where stock is left unsold. If you notice the expiration date is missing, it's best to make your own judgment on whether to try it or not.