Close to expire, or expired ZuPreem FruitBlend, to use, or send back?

Order some ZuPreem FruitBlend for my Cockatiels and order 3 bags and didn't realize in listing was so close to expiring. Fail to look at last picture in listing. Being it was 3 bags and no mention of it expiring in a few days I ordered it. Otherwise would have just ordered it from different vendor, or just waited to go to pet store locally. As usually throw away if it expired. Does bring up a good question?

Question is? Is it good still? I do know as it ages it does have less vitamin content, I also do know that the pellets are coated with fats to help make them more palatable. If these fats are exposed to oxygen, they can go rancid? The reson why I ask this question as see pet stores sometime will have old stock around as well, or for someone who has bags sitting around and near expiring? If it just best to throw it away? I never seen one actually go rancid and wondering if others have?

This is the one that is mostly sugar, right?
...sugar does not expire...


yes, there is a diminished vitamin content, but that's okay if you feed a lot of other vitaminfilled foods, I would worry more about the oils going rancid (oxidizing)-- that does not only smell unappetizing, it is not really good for the consumer.

ChristaNL said:

This is the one that is mostly sugar, right?
...sugar does not expire...


yes, there is a diminished vitamin content, but that's okay if you feed a lot of other vitaminfilled foods, I would worry more about the oils going rancid (oxidizing)-- that does not only smell unappetizing, it is not really good for the consumer.

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That what I was thinking.
The fat and oils going rancid with the pellets it more of a issue and usually once bag is opened and oxidation occurs. Did once had a bag that was 3 months expired and still was good and that one was bought at a pet store a while ago.

Human packaged foods expiration dates are usually conservative and I wouldn't fret if a bit outdated. I've noticed perishables such as pre-cut/washed lettuce or fresh salsa seems to drop dead on schedule!

No idea if you have buffer with animal products. Might call Zupreem and weigh their response? Shame on the vendor for not disclosing. If you are an institutional user they'd be gone by expiration.

If you believe the food is safe, and plan to use beyond expiration, might try to get some sort of discount for next order?

Store it in a freezer! All my fid foods go there!

I was wondering about that, but you would really have to deepfreeze (as in shop-freeze, not the homefreezer).
(oke, in some parts of The States just placing them outside would be enough?

I'm a stickler for expiration dates. I'd send it back.

Tami2 said:

I'm a stickler for expiration dates. I'd send it back.

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Already have a claim open and they approved the return just waiting on return label and in the mean time just picked up fresh bag locally yesterday and ordered 3 other bags from vendor I use before that I know sends fresh stock, not worth the risk.

ParrotGenie said:

Tami2 said:

I'm a stickler for expiration dates. I'd send it back.

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Already have a claim open and they approved the return just waiting on return label and in the mean time just picked up fresh bag locally yesterday and ordered 3 other bags from vendor I use before that I know sends fresh stock, not worth the risk.

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Good for you! I'd do the same. :smile049:

ParrotGenie said:

Tami2 said:

I'm a stickler for expiration dates. I'd send it back.

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Already have a claim open and they approved the return just waiting on return label and in the mean time just picked up fresh bag locally yesterday and ordered 3 other bags from vendor I use before that I know sends fresh stock, not worth the risk.

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Good for you. My BCC got sick on Zupreem Naturals that was supposed to be good until the end of the month. I can't say for sure it was the food. But after that I don't risk it anymore.