Why does my water have an expiration date?

[xizor]

So I am sitting here drinking some bottled water, and I notice stamped on the bottle is the following:
BTLD 05/24/02
EXP 05/24/04

Does this mean the water expires in 2 years? What happens to the water when it expires? What would happen to me if I drank expired water?

[peasea]

Bottledwaterweb has this to say:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which regulates the quality and safety of bottled water, has neither set nor suggested any limitation to the shelf life of bottled water.You may notice that most bottled water containers sold at retail bear a two-year expiration date. This acts as a lot number and is for stock rotation purposes. It does not mean the product is substandard after that date.

Consumer Reports seems to agree:

Incidentally, the two-year expiration date stamped on the bottle has nothing to do with product safety. It’s a lot number that lets store owners know when to rotate the stock of bottles on their shelves.

[VOW]

Sometimes the PLASTIC bottle is what expires! I’ve heard of people who have bought large containers of water and stored it for emergencies, only to find a puddle a year or so later.
~VOW

[xizor]

I’m don’t question the cites above, but I do wonder why they need a bottled AND an expiration date for a lot number.

[nth]

yeah why can’t they use what coke uses… some mumble jumbo number?

[UncleBill]

The bottled on date can help in product recalls and run traceability needs. Say somebody had benzene in their water from a given week, for instance. Having a bottled date printed helps calm the mass hysteria and recover a shattered corporate image.