Understanding How Expiry Dates Are Calculated

Learn how product expiry dates are determined to ensure safety and quality in food and medicine.

252 views

Expiry dates are typically calculated based on the product's shelf life determined by manufacturers through stability testing. For perishable goods, expiry dates are set based on how long the product maintains safety and quality standards under recommended storage conditions. Medicines and packaged foods generally have these tests performed to determine both 'Best Before' and 'Use By' dates, ensuring consumer safety and product efficacy.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What factors affect the expiry date of products? Factors include the type of product, storage conditions, and stability testing results conducted by manufacturers.
  2. What is the difference between 'Best Before' and 'Use By' dates? 'Best Before' indicates optimal quality before a certain date, while 'Use By' signifies safety after which the product should not be consumed.
  3. How can consumers ensure they are using products safely? Consumers should check expiry dates, store products according to recommendations, and discard items past their safety dates.
  4. Are all foods required to have expiry dates? Not all foods require expiry dates; however, perishable items and certain medicines typically do.