COVID-19 test expiration dates are likely longer than what's printed on box

PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — When you open the fridge to look for a snack, you probably check for an expiration date.

You may also be surprised to know beauty products have a "best by," but did you know COVID-19 tests also have a shelf life?

Many of the tests sent out by the Biden administration are expiring, according to what's printed on the box, but it's likely even if your test is "expired" it still works.

In order to get these COVID-19 tests onto shelves quickly, product makers had to strike a deal with the Food and Drug Administration, and that likely included an expiration date.

"The special arrangement they made with the FDA, for at least some of these brands, is that they would put what’s considered a tentative expiration date or actually some of them have no expiration date,"Dr. Ann Loeffler, the deputy health officer for Multnomah County, Oregon, said.

Loeffler said the companies continued to test the efficacy of their products in a lab and as time passes, they're able to extend the shelf life.

"It would be ideal to know that a test could be sitting on your shelf for a year, two years, three years and still be effective, but if the companies had waited that long to test their kits, you know, they wouldn’t have been able to get them to market in time," she said.

The FDAdoes not recommend using expired tests, but it notes, "the expiration dates for at-home COVID-19 diagnostic tests may be extended as additional stability data is collected."

You can see if your test has an expiration extension here.