Wheat bran is primarlily composed of undigestable (by humans) complex
carbohydrates. Carbs that cannot be digested by humans are generally
referred to as "fiber" in the diet. It shouldn't go bad. Given reasonably
proper storage (kept sealed air tight in a cool, dry environment) I would
think the shelf life would be quite long.
Wheat germ, OTOH, is easily subject to going rancid because of the oils
present.
That said, you may have a food allergy problem that makes you sensitive to
wheat bran fiber even if there is nothing wrong with the food.
Your question that bran went bad is a conjecture..
as bran is nothing but fibrous matter and have minimal or no fat
content that can be reason for spoilage.
In comparison wheat germ is more prone to spoilage because of the high
level of unsaturated fatty acids in it that is why its removed or
toasted to deactivate the enzymes that catalyzes the spoilage.
But wheat germ is added for nutritional purpose as well.
But bran is not removed, because if that is so then why did these
cereal manufacturers declare it contains bran if it was absent?
On the other hand....
I think your self consciousness is the main reason that you cannot get
to sleep easily.Nutritional freaks occasionally fall in this category
by being fastidious on foodstuff they eat that they worry if what they
eat will make them healthy.
I hope you are not in this category as you will need psychiatric help
then <g>.
Roy