Have you noticed your home COVID-19 testing kits are expiring soon? It turns out, they might not be expiring after all.
The Food and Drug Administration last month announced that some brands of tests are still good after the date stamped on the package.
Unlike expiration dates for medications, which are generally determined with simulation models, COVID-19 tests manufacturers use real time data to determine their expiration date, according to UCSF infectious disease expert Dr. Peter Chin-Hong. He told KCBS Radio that process means "we would expect that these dates would be updated as time goes on."
"On average they probably last for between 18 months to 24 months, so up to 2 years," he said. "But you might see 6 months on a particular test for an expiration date."
The FDA has extended the expiration dates of six COVID home diagnostic test brands, including the one sent out for free by the federal government. Dr. Chin-Hong said it's important to be aware of a test kit's shelf life but not act in haste.
"If you're worried about a particular test expiring, just don't throw it out yet," he explained. "Go and check and make sure there hasn’t been an advisory that that particular test has been extended."
"There will likely be more updates as these tests stick around for longer and the manufacturers continue to test them in the lab."
Keeping the shelf life in mind is important because an expired test may produce inaccurate results.
To find information about which brands have updated expiration dates, visit the FDA's website here.
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