[NadiaK]

At the beginning of the week I ordered a bag of Stella and Chewy freeze dried patties from an online store. When I received them I noticed that the date on the bag was best by 7/3/19. I called the company to voice my displeasure and they said they would immediately send out a new bag.

Would I still be able to use this food after the best buy date? I hate to just throw out a $30 bag of food. But on the other hand I certainly don't want to chance my dog getting ill.

 

[LeoRose]

As long as it hasn't been exposed to moisture, freeze-dried food keeps practically indefinitely. If it looks and smells okay, it's probably fine.

 

[Shell]

"Best by" is a mostly meaningless date in food for humans or pets. Its basically when the manufacturer says they will back its taste and quality until. For dry goods, like pasta or crackers for example, most are good for weeks or even months past a best-by date if stored in a dry, sealed container.

In foods, only human baby formula has a government mandated and tested "use by" date for safety.

Best-by, sell-by and use-by dates on regular food products (not medicine although much of that is just suggestion too) are merely estimates of the product lifespan for quality. Storage and packaging play a big role and foods with air exposure, foods with high fat and/or moisture, and similar will go off or go rancid or moldy more quickly than freeze dried, dehydrated or canned goods. Canned last basically forever if undamaged.


I'd feed it and I'd happily accept their offer of replacement too. Good sales practice is leave time before the best-by date so it isnt taking advantage or anything.

 

[NadiaK]

Thank you so much both of you for your advice.