there should be a date somewhere on the container that is the expiration date. Usually food lasts for a few years.

 

Some of the nutrients (vitamin C and other water-soluble elements) can evaporate within a year. But, as Viv suggests, this is still nutritious food. I keep mine in the freezer and feed it until it's gone.

This is a really good question to ask the folks at NLS. They're known to be very cordial and helpful. Why don't you ask them -- and then report back here?

 

Hi guys - thanks for your replies. That is good to know the food is probably still fine. I'll shoot NLS an email and see what they say, and get back to you when that happens!

 

I got this response:

Technically as soon as you open anything, it starts to lose nutrients. So yes, your food will have lost some, but not all the nutrients. As long as the lid was well replaced after opening it should still be ok to feed, but it will not be as good for your fish as a new pot would be.

So, I guess I'm okay for now, though I would like to replace when it hits the one-year mark, I think... back to the drawing board on why my boy is still having tail issues, I guess!

 

I think that's a good response by NLS. And a good reaction by you. Thanks for querying them. When it comes down to it, food is cheap.

I like that Omega One Betta Buffet is an a really small bottle. That's responsible marketing.

 

Heat & O2 reduce nutritional value. Refrigerate or freeze the larger quantity, keep a smaller quantity out for daily feeding. I'll get in 5 pounds of a variety of dry products at a time, when it's busy I'll turn them around in 6 weeks or less. With a busy run of events I'll move 20 pounds of a few different products in a month. Keeping them sealed in my nice cool basement works well.

Summer comes, sales slow, I'm always stuck sitting on 5-10 pounds of dry food. Into the spare worm fridge it goes, everyone is outside, bbq & such is a priority, nobody really wants to be stuck inside with multiple tank fishrooms. I'm one of those nobody's.

Here's a good vid on storage, packing & such of dry food;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRFNgH29-ds