Diet Pop/Soda -- Does it Expire Quicker?

[RobInBigKC]

Does anyone know if diet pop (or soda if you're east of Kansas City) "expires" faster than non-diet pop?

I've heard diet pop will freeze at a higher temperature than regular pop (never done an experiment to confirm -- maybe a good science fair project for some one?) but I haven't heard anything about it expiring more quickly.

Anyways, I now have a Coca-Cola vending machine (which I got at the right price -- free ) in my game room that will hold 48 cases of 12-ounce cans so I am looking to buy pop in bulk. When I check the expiration dates for some of the less popular flavors I'll have in it, I've been noticing that almost always the diet Coca-Cola products (and Diet Dr. Pepper) I'm looking at on the store shelves "expire" in about 2 - 4 months but the regular Coca-Cola products (and store brand Orange and Grape for the kids) "expire" in about 7 - 9 months.

Is this just poor timing of diet pop shopping on my part or do the ingredients in Diet Coke, Pibb Zero, Diet Barq's, Sprite Zero, Diet Dr. Pepper, etc. make that pop "expire" faster than the flavors with corn syrup / sugar in them?

-- Rob

 

[Diabolicdesire]

I don't know if they expire quicker but you definately do not want to drink one that out of date...........Yuck !!!........I accidently opened one not knowing it had expired and it was awful

 

[Kruuzin]

The diet soda does expire faster. What happens is the sweetener that's used losses it's "sweetness" therefore not long after the expiration dates the soda is not sweet making it taste really bad.

 

[KristiA]

It must. Grabbed a Diet Coke out of my parents' fridge in the garage the other day and first drink I took was disgusting. I never knew pop really expired- guess it does. I think the exp. date on it was 7/06.

 

[BonnieA]

Also, never store your diet soda's for an extended period in a heated room, or someplace unairconditioned in the summer. High heat will cause the sweetener (aspertame) to break down faster. Not sure if it would do the same to one sweetened with splenda since splenda generally holds up in the heat.