Why does my swab say it's expired? What if my test is expired?

Our manufacturer must include an expiration date upon production due to the nature of the components of the swab. This is a requirement per the manufacturer but does not mean that kits past their expiration date will result in a failed swab or degraded sample. Embark has completed an analysis that shows that samples collected with expired swabs successfully and consistently meet our extensive quality control standards. Therefore, we have not removed expired kits from our available inventory.

A dog will not receive incorrect results because of an expired swab. If a sample does not meet our quality standards and fails analysis (usually because the swab simply lacked DNA), regardless of whether or not the kit is expired, you will be contacted about receiving a replacement.  

What if my kit is expired?

If you have a kit with an expiration date that has passed, we encourage you to activate the kit and submit your sample as we have evidence to show that the sample is not impacted by the expired swab.

Assuming activation and sample collection were completed per our instructions, we would expect the sample to pass our rigorous quality control and therefore yield accurate results.

If you have questions or concerns about the expiration date on your swab, feel free to contact us. 

Please note, regardless of the expiration date, you can not activate a kit more than 24 months after you purchase it. You can find more information about our expiration policy here: Does my test expire?