There is always that one packet of masala, a forgotten box of millets or a jar of something tucked away in an Indian fridge or kitchen cupboard long after its best-before date has passed. Throw it away, and your mother might just tell you that it is perfectly fine because it has been stored properly. And maybe she is right, not about food never spoiling in the fridge, but about the fact that a best-before date does not necessarily mean that the product has gone bad. It may simply mean that it is no longer at its best in terms of quality.
Different dates
Expiry dates and best-before dates are thus two entirely different things, although the terms are often used interchangeably. Understanding the difference can help households make better decisions about what to keep, what to consume and what to throw away.
A best-before date generally indicates how long a food product is expected to retain its intended quality, such as its taste, texture, aroma and freshness, when stored as instructed. After this date, the product may lose some of these qualities, but it does not automatically become unsafe to eat. For instance, biscuits may lose their crispness, while spices may lose their aroma over time. Whether they remain suitable for consumption also depends on how they have been stored and whether they show signs of spoilage.
An expiry date, however, indicates the end of the period during which a product is considered suitable for use or consumption under the specified conditions. Once this date has passed, the product should not be consumed. Unlike a best-before date, which primarily concerns quality, an expiry date signals a limit that consumers should follow for safety. It is important to note, however, that food labelling terminology can vary, and consumers should follow the specific instructions printed on the package rather than assuming that every date label has the same meaning.
Storage matters
But the date printed on the packet is only one part of the picture. How a product is stored, whether its packaging remains intact and whether it has been opened can all affect how long it lasts. Refrigeration can slow down the growth of certain micro-organisms and delay spoilage, but it cannot prevent all forms of deterioration. Dry products such as spices and millets may last longer when kept in airtight containers away from moisture, heat and direct sunlight. If moisture enters the packaging, even a product with a long shelf life can develop mould or spoil.
Avoiding waste
For households that tend to stock up on groceries, understanding these labels can also help reduce food waste. Instead of throwing away every product that has passed its best-before date, consumers can consider the type of food, its storage conditions and any signs of deterioration. However, this does not mean that every item past its date is safe to consume, and expiry dates and storage instructions should be taken seriously.
The next time someone points out that the masala packet at the back of the fridge is past its date, the answer may not be as straightforward as either of you thinks. The label matters, but so does the food itself and how it has been stored. Knowing what the date actually means can help us avoid both unnecessary waste and unsafe food choices.
