What is the shelf life of custom research diets?
There is no definitive point where one is able to predict when a specific diet will spoil or become deficient in one or more nutrients. Custom research diets are perishable and should be refrigerated at 4°C (40°F) or lower (see Fullerton, et.al. J Nutr. 112:567-573, 1982). As a general guideline, diets can be stored this way for up to six months. It’s likely that many diets can be preserved even longer by freezing, perhaps up to a year; however, use of diets beyond the recommended use date will be subject to the protocols of your institution. Custom research diets vary significantly in their formulation. There may be certain features of a diet that merit a shorter shelf-life. To learn more about storage and use recommendations, and to help you asess if your diet has features that may warrant a shorter shelf-life we have put together a guide.
