As a food safety expert, I can tell you that consuming expired soda is generally not recommended. While the soda may not be immediately harmful, the taste, quality, and safety can be compromised over time. Here's a breakdown of what can happen:


1. Taste and Quality: Over time, carbonation can be lost, and the flavor can change, making the soda less enjoyable to drink.


2. Safety: While the risk of harmful bacteria is low in most bottled or canned sodas due to the acidic environment, there's still a chance of contamination, especially if the container has been opened or damaged.


3. Expiration Dates: The expiration date on a soda is more about quality and taste rather than safety. However, once a product is past its prime, it's best to err on the side of caution.


4. Packaging: If the packaging is damaged, it can allow bacteria or other contaminants to enter, which can be unsafe.


5. Storage Conditions: Soda that has been stored in a hot environment or exposed to direct sunlight can spoil faster.

In conclusion, while it might not be safe to drink expired soda in the strictest sense of the word, it's more about the decline in quality and potential, though low, for contamination. It's always best to consume products within their recommended use-by dates.

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According to the New York Times, expired soda is safe to drink. An article about expired Coca Cola stated that even soda old enough to grow mold poses very little health risk. Most soda companies do not actually label their sodas with expiration dates. Rather, they label soda boxes and cans with best by dates.read more >>