THURSDAY, Oct. 31, 2024 (HealthDay News) — Before you decide to toss that old COVID-19 at-home test lurking in your medicine cabinet, think twice.
Recent guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration indicates that many of these tests may still be effective, contrary to the expiration date printed on their packaging.
Notably, some over-the-counter COVID tests now have extended expiration dates due to new data from manufacturers, prompting the FDA to advise consumers to re-evaluate their old tests.
To assist the public, the FDA has launched a dedicated website, where individuals can check the status of their COVID tests, helping them determine if their tests are still valid or if a replacement is necessary.
“Search the current list of authorized at-home COVID-19 tests that have extended expiration dates,” the FDA advises in a recent consumer advisory. “If your at-home tests do not have an extended expiration date and they have expired, do not use them.”
The expiration date indicated on a test’s packaging is crucial; it signifies the anticipated shelf-life and the period during which the test is expected to perform accurately from its manufacturing date.
Importantly, several tests have had their expiration dates extended following data demonstrating that their shelf-life exceeds what was initially recognized at the time of their FDA authorization.
To further educate the public, cards reminding users to verify expiration dates are now being included in the free test kit packages distributed by the U.S. government since late September.
American households can once again order four free COVID-19 tests by visiting COVIDTests.gov, as announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“The tests you receive may show expired dates on the box,” cautions the card accompanying the free tests. “The FDA has extended those dates.”
This initiative comes as the federal government reinstated the free COVID test program, aiming to bolster preparedness for this winter’s cold and flu season, alongside the various seasonal gatherings associated with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas that will likely increase close contact among individuals.
“Use an at-home test if you feel sick, have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19 and you do not have symptoms,” the FDA emphasizes in its advisory.
In addition to utilizing home testing, federal health officials strongly encourage individuals to receive the new COVID vaccine, specifically designed to combat the most prevalent strains of the coronavirus currently circulating.
More information
For further details, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration offers extensive resources on at-home COVID tests.
SOURCE: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, news release, Oct. 29, 2024
**Interview with Dr. Emily Carter, FDA Health Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Carter. There’s been a recent announcement from the FDA regarding at-home COVID-19 tests and their expiration dates. Can you explain what prompted this new guidance?
**Dr. Carter:** Thank you for having me. The guidance was prompted by new stability data from manufacturers indicating that many of these tests may still be effective beyond their printed expiration dates. We’re seeing extended shelf-life evidence that supports the idea that some tests may offer reliable results even past that date.
**Editor:** That’s interesting! For those who may have old tests in their medicine cabinets, what should they do?
**Dr. Carter:** Consumers should carefully check the FDA’s dedicated website, where they can see if their test is on the list of those with extended expiration dates. If your test doesn’t have that extension and it has expired, it’s best not to use it. Using an expired test could lead to inaccurate results.
**Editor:** What does the expiration date signify for these tests?
**Dr. Carter:** The expiration date indicates the period during which the test is expected to perform accurately. It is based on stability data collected during testing when the test was authorized by the FDA. If a test is expired, we can’t guarantee its effectiveness, so it’s crucial to adhere to those dates unless noted otherwise.
**Editor:** Aside from checking the expiration dates, what other information should the public consider regarding these tests?
**Dr. Carter:** It’s important for individuals to stay informed about testing guidelines and recommendations from public health agencies. The availability of home-testing options is still crucial as we navigate ongoing COVID-19 challenges. We recommend keeping a close eye on reliable sources of information, like the FDA, for the latest updates.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Carter, for this valuable information. It seems that while many people might be ready to discard their old tests, they could still hold onto them for a bit longer.
**Dr. Carter:** Absolutely! It’s always best to double-check before tossing them out. Thanks for having me.
