Ask: “I ordered the Hemmorhoid set a while ago and am just now getting around to using it. I kept the materials in a dark, cool place, but when I mixed them together they were both clear and the potassium iodide never changed color. It doesn’t seem to stain anything either, so I’m just wondering if it’s still any good. What do you think?”
According to the US government, potassium iodide does not expire. If the tablet is in tablet form, the components of the pressed tablet can change so that they no longer dissolve well. However, this has no effect on potassium iodide (KI):
“According to the FDA guidance on shelf life extension, years of studies have confirmed that none of the components of KI tablets, including the active ingredient, have any significant potential for chemical degradation or interaction with other ingredients or with components of the container closure system when stored according to the specified instructions. To date, the only changes observed during stability (shelf life) testing have been the failure of some batches of KI tablets to meet dissolution specifications. For some tablets tested In such cases, instructions may be given to crush the tablets and mix them with a juice or other liquid as recommended for pediatric emergency dosing.
The discoloration or color change caused by iodine only happens when it reacts with starch and turns blue.
Potassium iodide is a metal halide salt with an ionic bond between the potassium cation (K+) and the iodide anion (I-). It is colorless to white and appears as cubic crystals or powder or white granules.
Pure iodine in its elemental form is purple – that may be what you’re thinking of. Additionally, some manufacturers add dyes to their potassium iodide – we once sold a brand that was colored light brown by adding saffron extract.
Most minerals have existed in the earth, sea or rock state for thousands of years. In fact, as long as they are stored under stable, inert conditions, they do not expire or degrade. However, once a mineral or other dietary supplement is packaged for sale, it is required by law that it has a predetermined expiration date.
Jini Patel Thompson is an internationally recognized expert in natural healing for digestive diseases. She healed herself from widespread Crohn’s disease and has been medication and surgery free for over 25 years. Jini has appeared on numerous podcasts, TV and radio shows in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, giving people hope and vision on how to heal their colitis, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) using all-natural methods. Her books on natural healing of digestive diseases have been sold in over 80 countries worldwide. Jini is married and has three children, nine sheep, 11 horses, a cat and three dogs.
