Seeing through ‘expiry’ and ‘use by’ dates and those who determine them : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

 Seeing through ‘expiry’ and ‘use by’ dates

and those who determine them

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

The Sunday Pioneer (26-05-2024)

{Most ‘Shelf-Stable Foods’ that can be stored at room temperature in a sealed container, are safe indefinitely. These include processed and refrigerated, so that they can be safely stored at room or ambient temperature for a usefully long shelf life. In fact, canned goods will last for years, as long as the can itself is in good condition (no rust, dents, or swelling). Packaged foods (cereal, pasta, cookies) will be safe past the ‘Best Before Use Date’ although they may eventually become stale without flavor} – Editor Pioneer Note

Barring alcoholic Drinks like Whiskey, Brandy, Wine, except Beer, and Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, Coconuts etc. perhaps every consumable item these days has an ‘Expiry Date’ or a ‘Best Before Use Date’ stamped. These dates for Food Items, indicate longevity of finished product with its best quality. Using the product after this date, not only diminishes its effectiveness, but also risks the ingredients going bad. ‘A Use By Date’ or ‘Expiry Date’ often ranges from a couple of days as in the case of ‘Bread’ or ‘Milk’ to maximum of six months. Durable life is the period, starting on the day a food is packaged for retail sale, that it will retain its normal wholesomeness, palatability, and nutritional value. Characteristically, food items may be safe to eat for ten days after expiry, if refrigerated properly, according to some experts.

Most ‘Shelf-Stable Foods’ that can be stored at room temperature in a sealed container, are safe indefinitely. These include processed and refrigerated, so that they can be safely stored at room or ambient temperature for a usefully long shelf life. In fact, canned goods will last for years, as long as the can itself is in good condition (no rust, dents, or swelling). Packaged foods (cereal, pasta, cookies) will be safe past the ‘Best Before Use Date’ although they may eventually become stale without flavor.

The Canadian Food Information Council, a national, non-profit organization that works with the food, nutrition, health, and scientific communities, and with media to provide information on current food, food safety and nutrition issues, expressed the view that, ‘Durable Life Dating’ is critical to safe food handling by the consumer. However, the ‘Durable Life Date’ is valid only for unopened products. Once opened, the product should be consumed at once.

Foods susceptible to spoilage should not be consumed if the ‘Best Before Use Date’ is passed. Even if a food shows no signs of spoilage, it can harbor organisms capable of causing foodborne diseases known as ‘Pathogenic Microorganism.’ Foods that are not susceptible to spoilage may be consumed past their ‘Best Before Use Date’ though they have lost original flavor and nutritional value. Consumers need to use their senses (sight, smell) and common sense to decide whether it is appropriate to eat it or not.

The ‘Drug Expiration Date’ is the last day before which the finished product remains stable, retaining its strength, quality, and purity, subject to storage stipulations. Medicines after the ‘Expiry Date’ may not be either safe or effective which makes it obligatory for users, to check it before taking.’ This, experts say, avoids the risk due to changes in chemical composition or bacterial growth or a decrease in strength or in worst-case scenarios, kidney, or liver failure.  A Canadian Intestinal Research Organization, cautioned about the expiry of medicines and the price to be paid if warnings are ignored. These include pain, increased lethargy, inadequate nutrient absorption, diarrhea, fever, disorientation, and fatigue.

The paradox is that, only manufacturers and retailers determine the ‘Durable Life of Foods’ they sell. The ‘Dating Information’ they provide just indicates ‘Quality but not Food Safety.’ Often quantity too does not match. The ‘Durable Life Date’ on the label, expressed as the ‘Best Before Use Date,’ and instructions for proper storage, are the choice of manufacturer, and said to be established based on trials under specified storage conditions.

Whether tests are done to determine a threshold of drug failure or loss of food quality is unknown or less known. Samples of the food are supposed to be monitored in a Lab in similar packaging and environmental conditions of retail outlets and home. Whether the ‘Specified Authority’ (Existence of which is an unclear one!) for approval, which is supposed to ‘Verify Scientifically’ the proposed ‘Expiry Date’ supported by authentic studies provided by manufacturer, let alone follow-up vigilance, does its job sincerely or not is a Million, Million-Dolor Question. Notwithstanding this, consumer education and awareness on this aspect is by and large absent.   

Fascinatingly, there is no 'Expiry Date’ for any ‘Hard Liquor.’ The reason could be that, ‘Alcohol is a Preservative,’ and most liquors like Whiskey, Rum, Brandy, Gin, and Vodka are generally 40 percent alcohol (or 80 proof), and do not have a high enough sugar content in them to kickstart oxidation. This is good enough to preserve it indefinitely. Their high-alcohol levels keep bacteria from growing in the unopened bottles and if stored properly, they will be good for years to come. Liquor lasts the longest, whereas wine and beer are less shelf-stable.

In contrast to these modern-era ‘Dreadful Stipulations’ whether really relevant or not, in ‘Good Old Days’ and not too long ago, in India, when life was exceedingly better than now, with no hard and fast restrictions on food items consumption, Chutneys (Mango, Tamarind, Amla, Lemon etc.) and Pickles, predominantly of Mangoes, made by ‘Grandmothers and Mothers’ were in perfect condition for eating for months and more than a year. In fact, ‘Tamarind Chutney’ was turning tastier year after year for about two years. Doctors who preferred then, to ‘Feed the Fever and Starve the Stomach’ when someone fell ill, was advised ‘Soft Rice’ mixed with ‘Aged Tamarind Chutney’ for restoring taste and for easy digestion.

Chutneys and Pickles were preserved then in ‘Ceramic Jars’ by tying the opening with cloth and storing them in a corner not easily accessible to children. The jar would be opened to take out small quantities for immediate use, and the cloth over the opening was tied again. While making the pickles, care was taken to keep water away. Measurements made by Grandmothers and Mothers of Salt, Oil, Spices, and other Ingredients for effective longevity of Pickles, as well as required Mango Pieces, cut and kept ready before hand, was all done approximately but exactly. The oil then used was that of ‘Ground Nut’ freshly made unlike the present ‘Expiry Date Oil.’ All these obviously prevented spoilage.  

In fact, in those ‘Good Old Days’ consumer would just walk into a Provisions Shop, normally the Front Room of Shop Owner’s House, and purchase items of his or her requirement, that were not prepacked with ‘Expiry Dates’ but were fresh and were weighed in front of the customer, then packed in an old newspaper classically, before giving to the consumer at a ‘Fair Price.’ Both Quantity and Quality wise, the present-day products are no match to them. The concept of ‘Expiry Date’ was ridiculous!!!  

            Marshall Allen, an American journalist, investigating the cost and quality of health care, in an article in Jul 25, 2017, 'Are Expiration Dates on Medicines Just a Myth' cited an instance and expressed his view that if some drugs remain effective well beyond the date on their labels, why has not there been a push to extend their expiration dates? He noticed a box of prescription drugs, 30 to 40 years past their expiration dates, possibly toxic, probably worthless, which were forgotten in a back closet of a retail pharmacy!!!

            Californian Professor of Clinical Pharmacy, Dr Lee Cantrell, Commenting on this, said that the cache was an opportunity to answer an enduring question about the actual shelf life of drugs. When referred for the opinion of Roy Gerona, another Californian Researcher, who saw people recover from sickness by taking expired drugs with no apparent ill effects, meaning, 'Expiration Date' was a misnomer, his prompt response was 'This was very cool.’ The dates on drug and food labels are simply to guarantee their effectiveness, and do not necessarily mean they are ‘Ineffective Immediately after they Expire.’  

The Significance or Insignificance of Expiry Dates, as well as the potential Mischief of Manufacturers need to be better handled by the authorities concerned, presuming they are properly manned and fully equipped.

(The Writer served as CPRO to former CM of Telangana)