Expired food

[ROSIEonFIRE]

Hey all. A little over a year ago I went on a crab food shopping spree and bought a bunch of premium freeze dried meat dog treats (salmon, bison, Turkey liver, etc). The problem is, I really have only used a tiny bit from each bag and I realized today that they are way past their sell by date! They seem fine to me. I'd hate to throw them out and waste all that money. What do y'all think?

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[Maddamay32]

I've always read that freeze dried food/dehydrated foods last year's. Even decades..... There's always experation dates on these commercial products, but that's probably just to save themselves any backlash or legal problems. Someone else might have more scientific reasons as to why it's unsafe to use, but in both processes all moisture is removed so I don't see how the food would "go bad" in as little as a year or two.

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[VickieG]

I have to agree, I wouldn't throw them out just because of a date. Even with human foods and medicines, the dates are meant to denote perhaps a decline in appearance, quality or texture rather than a complete degradation or lack of safety of the material. I think sometimes they're dictated by industry standards and regulations more than anything else.

But freeze dried food is supposed to remove water to extend the shelf life nearly indefinitely while retaining the bulk of the nutrients.

I would smell them and look at them and use your best judgment. Obviously, if it's moldy, has insect activity or smells rancid, toss it.

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[wodesorel]

Minerals and vitamins oxidize when exposed to air, so the longer they've been sitting open the less nutritional value they will contain.

Oils and fats also oxidize and go rancid, fairly quickly. That probably wouldn't harm hermits, but again, nutritionally not the best.

Humidity and moisture will also start breaking down freeze-dried food. I don't think I've had anything last open in my house more than a few days before it got soft and/or soggy honestly.

For humans and furry pets, bacterial and fungal growth is a huge concern and cannot be seen just by looking at the product. Many are tasteless as well. For hermits, it's probably not a risk given they are already scavengers and eat decaying things.

[ROSIEonFIRE]

Thanks for ur thoughts all! The frustrating thing is that when I got these, I didnt have a dog at that time. Now I do, and if I hadn't spent all this money on these treats already I could buy them as needed for my dog and just use some for my crabs. I could still do that but I hate to think of all that money going to waste!

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[CrabbyLover77]

Thanks for ur thoughts all! The frustrating thing is that when I got these, I didnt have a dog at that time. Now I do, and if I hadn't spent all this money on these treats already I could buy them as needed for my dog and just use some for my crabs. I could still do that but I hate to think of all that money going to waste!

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It's a shame you don't live near me in PA! I volunteer for a wild bird rescue, and we use wet dog food and dog kibble to feed to vultures, crows, and gulls. They would have went crazy for your food. Birds like vultures are scavengers and are used to having food that's not 100% fresh.

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[scuttlecrusty22]

It's a shame you don't live near me in PA! I volunteer for a wild bird rescue, and we use wet dog food and dog kibble to feed to vultures, crows, and gulls. They would have went crazy for your food. Birds like vultures are scavengers and are used to having food that's not 100% fresh.

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That sounds like tons of fun!!!

[CrabbyLover77]

That sounds like tons of fun!!!

It is! I absolutely love it. Over the years I've worked my way up to bird care assistant. So I can give oral medications, tube feed, give subq fluids, etc. Nothing is more rewarding than watching a bird be released back into the wild.

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[ROSIEonFIRE]

It is! I absolutely love it. Over the years I've worked my way up to bird care assistant. So I can give oral medications, tube feed, give subq fluids, etc. Nothing is more rewarding than watching a bird be released back into the wild.

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If u like birds u should check out the game wingspan, it's based on real birds

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[CrabbyLover77]

If u like birds u should check out the game wingspan, it's based on real birds

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I LOVE birds. I will definitely check out the game. Thanks so much!

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[scuttlecrusty22]

It is! I absolutely love it. Over the years I've worked my way up to bird care assistant. So I can give oral medications, tube feed, give subq fluids, etc. Nothing is more rewarding than watching a bird be released back into the wild.

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On behalf of the birdies Thank you!!!

[CrabbyLover77]

On behalf of the birdies Thank you!!!

Tweet tweet, uh I mean thank you!!!

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