Yes, MCT oil does go bad eventually. MCT oil should have a best-by or use-by date on the label of the bottle. This is not an expiration date, but rather an indication for how long the product should retain the best quality. If you keep the MCT oil closed in a cupboard, it should still be consumable after that date.
However, at some point it will go bad, and no longer be fit for you to use.
In this guide we talk you through how to know if you MCT oil is “off” or bad, or just not fit for purpose.
If you want to know what we recommend as the best MCT oil, or our personal experience with our current #1 (Performance Lab MCT) click those links I’ve just sneaked in.
How to Tell if MCT Oil Bad?
MCT Oil is bad if it gives off a rancid odor, this also applies if it has any changes in color or has any contaminants inside it. If it doesn’t have these, but has a terrible taste – it may still be an MCT oil which has gone bad.
With all this said, it’s unlikely that your MCT will go bad – but those are the signs to look out for. MCT oil deteriorates in quality very slowly. Which is why many say that MCT oil is still safe to take potentially months after it has passed it’s ‘best before’ date.
The main reason an MCT oil will go bad prematurely, is either because it has been stored with the cap left off, or in a constantly hot place – or a combination of the two.
Storing your MCT oil in a cool, dry place with the cap on is a great way to keep it from degrading.
If you have some MCT oil that is past it’s best before label, give it a quick sniff and your senses should let you know if it’s worth using or not. Failing that, checking it for contaminants, or discoloration will be a pretty big give away too.
Related article: MCT Oil Before Bed
Does MCT Oil Need to Be Refrigerated?
MCT Oil does not need to be refrigerated, all it needs is a cool, dry place to be stored in.
If you have been refrigerating your MCT oil, don’t worry – this will not affect the product, but it is a good place to guarantee that it stays in a cool condition which can help prevent premature degradation.
Does MCT Oil Solidify in the Fridge?
Pure MCT oil does not solidify in the fridge. This is not to be confused with coconut oil – which will solidify upon refrigeration. MCT oil will maintain it’s liquid form if you put it the fridge.
The only reason that your MCT oil would turn white and solidify in the fridge is if your refrigerator is set at sub-freezing temperatures – which is a highly unlikely case.
Another reason that it may solidify in the fridge is if it isn’t pure MCT oil – if this is the case, there may be some coconut oil contents in your batch.
Related article: Coconut Oil in Coffee
Does MCT Powder Go Bad?
MCT powder typically has a shelf life of 1 year after purchase. However, this may vary depending on the conditions that it is kept in. Storing MCT powder in a cool, dry place like a cupboard or refrigerator.
It’s similar rules to how you would store MCT oil, mainly because they’re the same thing. MCT powder is essentially just MCT oil sprayed and bonded to a carrier powder.
The difference is that MCT powder may go clumpy when left out in the air as opposed to the effects that it has on MCT oil.
Related Posts:
- What can I use instead of MCT Oil?
- What does MCT oil taste like?
- How much MCT Oil in Coffee?
- What is MCT Oil Made From?
- Why does MCT Oil cause Diarrhea?
- What does MCT Oil do to your body?
- How much MCT oil should I take daily?
- What are the side effects of MCT Oil?
- Does MCT Oil Go Bad?
- MCT Oil Before Bed
- Performance Lab MCT Review
Hi, I’m Pablo Garduno. I am a biohacking enthusiast, and Head Writer of SanDiegoHealth.org. I write the majority of the content on this site, and appreciate you taking the time to read my work.