2003? Better be safe than sorry. 2023? You'll be fine. If it smells good and tastes good, it's usually still good.

I know covid messed a lot of us up, but I've got some troubling news for you regarding the passage of time...

I read that as "water flavored powder", and was going to say that sounds terrible.

From the title my stupid brain thought you were looking for flavour powder that made the water taste like it was expired/old (maybe for Halloween or as a joke or something) xD

Is it a "best by" date or a real "expires on" date?

Powders like this only go bad after being exposed to moisture. If properly sealed they will last decades.

Open it up without shaking it up or jostling it too much. Is it still powdery all the way through? If so, it's probably safe.

If you open it up and the mix has any clumps or inconsistent coloring, toss it in the trash because it's likely been exposed to moisture, which invites a ton of potential problems.

Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, but I have made some questionable decisions with old tubs of G Fuel mix and came out alive, so I'm not just making things up but I'm also not somebody you should trust your health with. Be responsible.

Sugar free, but are they artificially sweetened?

Edit: nvm, I should have just explained rather than asking and not waste your time, my apologies.

Reason I asked is that while nothing in those flavor packets spoils in a way that will harm you, nor break down into something that could, they may well taste unpleasant.

Artificial sweeteners in particular kinda get "stale", unless stored completely air free. They lose sweetness, and if the other chemicals are mixed with the sweetness in mind, it might not be enjoyable.

But there's no actual expiration date on any of the brands or their components that I've ever seen. Best by dates aren't the same thing as expiration dates (which you probably already knew, but figured I'd mention it anyway).

Worst case, it tastes like crap, unless the package has been damaged enough for moisture to get in. If the packet is intact, you're good to go. Otherwise trash it