How is the Expiration Date Calculated for Food Products?

Learn how expiration dates are determined through safety tests and product stability analysis.

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Expiration dates are usually calculated based on safety and quality tests performed on products under specific conditions. This involves testing for factors like microbial growth, degradation of active ingredients, and sensory changes in foods. Companies conduct stability tests to determine the point at which a product no longer meets safety or quality standards, thus setting the expiration or best-before date accordingly.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What factors influence the expiration date of food? Expiration dates are influenced by microbial growth, ingredient degradation, and sensory changes.
  2. What is a stability test? A stability test evaluates how a product maintains its quality and safety over time under various conditions.
  3. How can consumers understand expiration dates? Consumers can understand expiration dates by learning about the difference between 'use by' and 'best before' labels.

Watch More

For more insights into food safety and quality, check out our videos on how to store food properly and understanding food labels.

  1. How Are Expiration Dates Calculated for Food and Medications? Discover the factors influencing expiration date calculations for food products and medications in this informative video.
  2. Understanding Expiration Dates: What Do They Mean? Learn what expiration dates signify and how they affect product quality and safety.
  3. How to Determine if Dates Are Expired: A Quick Guide Learn how to check if dates are expired by inspecting labels, texture, color, and smell.