Shelf life is a big deal when you're picking a supplement format, for manufacturers and consumers alike. What you put in it, how you make it, and what shape it takes all affect how long it stays good. That's why gummies, capsules, and tablets don't all age the same.
What Drives Shelf Life?
Shelf life comes down to stability: how well a product keeps its identity, strength, quality, and purity over time. The big factors are:
- Moisture Content: Water activity drives degradation; a little free moisture can wreck things.
- Ingredient Stability: Some vitamins and active compounds are sensitive to oxygen, light, or heat.
- Physical Format: How dense and sealed the delivery system is.
Water activity is the metric that matters. It measures the free water available to drive chemical reactions such as hydrolysis and microbial growth. Gummies carry far more of it than a dry tablet or a sealed capsule, which is the main reason their actives break down sooner.
Gummies vs. Capsules vs. Tablets
Gummy Supplements
Gummies are a different beast. The gelatin or pectin base holds more free water, so they're more vulnerable to heat and humidity. Well-made, properly packaged gummies typically carry a 12 to 24 month shelf life. Over time, you might see changes in texture, color, or flavor if storage conditions aren't ideal.
Capsules (Softgels and Two-Piece)
Capsules, especially softgels, give great protection against oxygen and moisture for liquid or oil-based ingredients. Two-piece hard capsules do the same for powders. Stored right, capsules hold their potency for 24 to 36 months. The sealed package does the work.
Tablets
Tablets are compressed powders. They have the lowest moisture of the three, and their dense pressed form protects the interior from air and light, so they often last 24 to 36 months or more.
How Shelf Life Dates Are Established
The FDA does not require an expiration date on dietary supplements. When a brand prints one, it is expected to back that date with stability data, and 21 CFR Part 111 requires the product to keep meeting its identity, purity, strength, and composition specifications for the full shelf life claimed.
Manufacturers build that evidence with real-time studies at labeled conditions and accelerated studies at about 40°C and 75% relative humidity, which compress years of aging into months. A six-month accelerated run commonly supports a tentative 24-month claim.
If you are choosing a manufacturer, ask what stability data backs the date on your label.
Making It Last
No matter the format, storage is key. To get the full shelf life: follow label instructions, keep the container closed, and use it by the best-by date.
At KorNutra, we design our processes to maximize stability and shelf life. Quality from our facility to yours.