# Are expiration dates on alcohol-based hand sanitizers mandatory? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 27, 2015, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-expiration-dates-on-alcohol-based-hand-sanitizers-mandatory/713794 "2015-02-27T20:46:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2015, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-expiration-dates-on-alcohol-based-hand-sanitizers-mandatory/713794/1 "2015-02-27T20:46:27Z")
I noticed today that the expiration date on the bottle of hand sanitizer at my desk passed 3 years ago. So I wandered around the office and found a dozen others with expiration dates dating back to 2009. So I dumped them all. We had more in our supply room for **Dial** , and among all the brands I looked at today, their’s was the only brand _without_ an expiration date. I called the company and was told there was no requirement for one, though they “suggested” replacement every 2 years. And when I read them off the lot number at the bottom of a bottle, I was told they were made in January last year. We just got them a couple of wees ago, and they’re already half way to the end of their shelf life. Was the Dial rep lying to me about the need for an expiration date? ---
**Author:** ![DataX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@DataX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DataX)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2015, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-expiration-dates-on-alcohol-based-hand-sanitizers-mandatory/713794/2 "2015-02-27T20:55:49Z")
Unless you are in some sort of field where you are required by law to use hand sanitizers for something - I wouldn’t really worry about this. Most medication is safe past their expiration date. I would expect the same here - unless it looks like stuff has evaporated or something. Maybe smell a new one vs old one (if in scented) - does it smell just as alcoholy? Well I’d still use it if it was me. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2015, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-expiration-dates-on-alcohol-based-hand-sanitizers-mandatory/713794/3 "2015-02-27T21:00:18Z")
This isn’t a question about whether the product is safe to use. It’s a question of whether Dial is lying about whether an expiration date is required or not. All the other brands I looked at had one. ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2015, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-expiration-dates-on-alcohol-based-hand-sanitizers-mandatory/713794/4 "2015-02-27T21:09:08Z")
From [here](http://www.cleanlink.com/hs/article/Hand-Sanitizer-Facts--14693#): > [@](#): > > Most hand sanitizers have a 3-year shelf life. However, not all OTC FDA-regulated products, including hand sanitizers, require expiration dating on the package. As per the Code of Federal Regulations, no expiration date is required for products sold in the US upon successful completion of 3-month accelerated stability testing. If a sanitizer is analytically tested and maintains its active ingredient level beyond the industry standard of 3 years, it could still be considered effective. — Ronald Lewis, associate brand manager, Henkel Consumer Goods, Inc., Scottsdale, Ariz. - ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2015, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-expiration-dates-on-alcohol-based-hand-sanitizers-mandatory/713794/5 "2015-02-27T21:23:12Z")
Thank you, that explicitly answers my question. ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2015, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-expiration-dates-on-alcohol-based-hand-sanitizers-mandatory/713794/6 "2015-02-27T21:24:06Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Thank you, that explicitly answers my question. You’re welcome. It was my first google hit. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2015, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-expiration-dates-on-alcohol-based-hand-sanitizers-mandatory/713794/7 "2015-02-27T21:24:56Z")
Now you’re making me feel bad.😉 ---
**Author:** ![DataX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@DataX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DataX)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2015, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-expiration-dates-on-alcohol-based-hand-sanitizers-mandatory/713794/8 "2015-02-27T21:26:53Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > This isn’t a question about whether the product is safe to use. It’s a question of whether Dial is lying about whether an expiration date is required or not. All the other brands I looked at had one. :smack: For some reason I thought you thought YOU were going to get in trouble. On rereading I don’t know why I thought that. I’ve been recovering from some severe sickness where I wasn’t able to eat for two days so I’m gonna blame it on that.