Swanson Values / Quality Control & Testing / Manufacture Dates vs Expiration Dates

Manufacture Dates and Expiration Dates

The date on your supplement is not an expiration date!

Due to the rules within FDA's current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) regulations, we changed the manner in which we date items for Swanson® brand labels.

As of July, 2010, dietary supplement products (products labeled with supplement facts as opposed to nutrition facts) have displayed a "manufacture date" rather than a "expiration" or "best by" date. This date represents the day on which the product was manufactured.

There has been no change to the products themselves.

All Swanson products are produced by GMP-compliant manufacturers that meet specific standards for quality and potency. We still require that our manufacturers develop and formulate products that maintain their quality for the expected timeframe.

In most cases, products are considered stable at full potency for two years from the manufacture date. Liquid supplements and probiotics are generally stable for one year past the manufacture date.

Please note: This applies only to Swanson brand supplements and does not include food items or topical or cosmetic products (creams, lotions, shampoo, etc.).

a - In compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) regulations, the manufacture date printed on the label represents the date the product was produced.