Following the University of Georgia's victory in the College Football National Championship this month, viral videos circulated of die-hard Dawgs fans celebrating by drinking decades-old Coca Colas.
While the videos provided great entertainment value, many viewers cringed at the thought of drinking a soda that was bottled 41 years ago. University of Georgia Associate Professor Carla Schwan, who teaches in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, was among them.
Schwan agreed the videos are funny, but said she does not recommend drinking a Coke from that long ago.
"[The] USDA does say that it is safe to drink sodas after three months if it's a diet soda...and after nine months, if it's just a regular soda after an expiration date, it is safe to still drink it," said Schwan. "But a 41-year-old coke, I would say no."
The sugary sweet soda was released in limited edition glass bottles printed with the UGA logos after the Bulldogs claimed their last national championship win in 1980.
Schwan appeared on WDUN's Newsroom with Mitch Clarke last week. She added there is no research to confirm whether or not any negative side effects could result from the celebratory swigs.
While the soda may not physically harm the consumer, Schwan said the quality would certainly not be as good as when they were first bottled 40 years ago.
"When we open a soda, we are expecting that fizzle and that carbonation in your mouth," said Schwan. "And when you have a bottle that is sitting so long, you are going to have a flat kind of feel to your mouth and unpleasant taste probably."
Schwan went on to explain the difference in food safety and food quality, as well as provide tips for ensuring proper food temperature and storage.
The full interview is available by clicking the audio link above.
