Mmmm...thanks?

[droogievesch]

So I was on Facebook talking about getting a tortoise. Somebody contacted me and told me they had some Mazuri tortoise food they no longer need, and said it was taking up space and I could have it if I wanted.

So I got it today and the bag says it expires in 2008. I did a quick search here on the forums and it seems that people say as long as it doesn't show signs of being bad that it's still safe. There are no bugs/mold/bad smells/etc. coming from it, but it's still 4 years past the "expiration" on the bag.

Do I just toss it and buy a new bag, or should I give it a go? It's almost a full bag (she said her tort. refused to eat it and she no longer has the tort). Like I said, the search I've done people have said the expiration date is more or less a liability factor for the company vs. an actual good/bad distinction. However, most people are discussing whether it's good for a year total...not 4 years past expiration.

 

[Edna]

If it was 6 months past expiration I'd say use it. 4 Years is a really long time. Pitch it.

 

[dmmj]

As long as it has not spoiled, it should be safe, the only thing I am concerned is how much nutritional value it has.

 

[wellington]

As long as it has not spoiled, it should be safe, the only thing I am concerned is how much nutritional value it has.

That's what I was thinking.

 

[Tom]

Not worth it. Just chuck it and get some new.

 

[droogievesch]

I am planting seeds within the next day or two (I do not have a tort yet) and will be buying a tort in a month or so. So by the time I do have a tort there will be plenty of plants for it to graze on. I'm kind of leaning towards, "I'll try it, but if it doesn't really care for it I'll just toss and try fresh". I haven't read or seen anything yet that is showing me it's unsafe. As for nutritional value, even with it being diminished it's probably still better than half of what some people feed their torts (lettuce diets).

 

[Kristina]

Just like with cat or dog food, the oils in Mazuri will start to go rancid and stale within days of being opened. If it has been opened for FOUR YEARS, personally I would not risk it. I have seen cats puke from cat food that was opened for less than two weeks. If it was resealed and stored frozen, I would say that it was okay, but not if the bag was left open to the air at all.

 

[Laurie]

When in doubt, throw it out Mazuri is not that expensive to buy. If you look in the for sale section, there are a few members that sell small quantities of it (2 lb bags). I would buy a new bag. I would think there are better nutritional options than a bag of 4 year old Mazuri. You can pick fresh weeds. Even some supermarket produce (collards,Kale, Turnip greens, chickory, mustard greens) would be better in my opinion. RT seed mix does not take long to sprout, if you are still a month away from getting your tort, I think you will have plenty for them to eat.

 

[Laura]

I hope you didnt pay too much for it.. it Just be stale,, but why chance it and make a sick tort or worse? :-/
Imight mention it to the person too.... Oh btw.. that food I got from you was really Old... maybe they will refund??

 

[droogievesch]

I hope you didnt pay too much for it.. it Just be stale,, but why chance it and make a sick tort or worse? :-/
Imight mention it to the person too.... Oh btw.. that food I got from you was really Old... maybe they will refund??

It was free. More like, "Oh thank God somebody else I know has a tortoise! Time to clean out my basement!" I'm not out anything throwing it out, and if she asks about it I can tell her that it was expired. I got some light fixtures (have to replace the bulbs) too. I just didn't want to throw something out if it WAS perfectly good. Looking around online I have seen people selling it as cheaply as 2.00/lb so even with shipping I'm not breaking the bank buying new.

 

[Jacqui]

It was nice of her to give it to you, even if you can't use it now. I would go with the new food and like you said, it's not going to break the bank to get a sample.