Going Bad

• If Coke bottles or cans are properly sealed, they will have a very long shelf life. One year past the original purchase, the flavor may be begin to degrade, but it is unlikely to be harmful even if this happens. In this case, a small sip is recommended to check for flavor degradation.
  
  

Storage

• The soft drink should be stored in a cool dry place. Coke in plastic or glass bottles should never be kept in direct sunlight for long periods, since sunlight will cause chemical reactions to occur in the drink that could be harmful.
  
  

Preservatives

• Until 2008, Coke was guaranteed to contain the preservative sodium benzoate, so it could be stored much longer than other sweet beverages. However, more recently the Coca-Cola company began to phase out this additive for some of its products, so if the drink must be stored for a long time, the label should be checked for preservatives.