**Unveiling the Mystery: Does Bottled Water Really Expire?**

Here we are, sipping on what we assume is the elixir of life — water. But hold up, you’ve seen the dates on those bottles, right? What’s up with water having an expiration date? It’s not like it’s going to turn into wine overnight, no matter how much I wish it would. The very notion seems as absurd as putting an expiration date on… well, on your love for pizza. But here’s the deal, there’s actually a method to this apparent madness.

Let’s dive into the absurdity, the practicality, and the legislative quirks behind why our bottled H2O comes with its own countdown. The story, as delightful and unexpected as it is, traces back to an old law in New Jersey that could’ve sent any sensible water bottling company into a administrative tizzy. Stick around, because this tale is juicier than a ripe watermelon. To LEARN MORE, make yourself comfortable, grab your tap water, and let’s unravel the bottle together.

Expiration dates on non-perishable consumer goods are a funny thing. Few people need an explanation as to why meat or dairy products have a sell-by date, but other things seem to demand a little more context. Child car seats, for example, have an expiration date because safety regulations change on a regular basis and because they can experience wear after years of daily use.

A date stamped on bottled water, however, seems to defy all laws of common sense. Shouldn’t H2O technically be good forever?

The answer is yes—but water quality isn’t the issue. A 1987 New Jersey state law required all food products sold there to display an expiration date of two years or less from the date of manufacture. Labeling, separating, and shipping batches of expiration-dated water to the Garden State seemed a little inefficient to bottled water producers, so most of them simply started giving every bottle a two-year expiration date, no matter where it was going.