Shopping for labels

In today’s age of sky rocketing inflation, food products have become quite expensive and so, even getting a few rupees off makes our wallet and our mind not-so-guilty, when it comes to shopping.
Supermarkets often have a sizable stock of food products with attractive discounts and offers, which are closer to their expiration or best before dates. These include a variety ready-to-eat meals, jams, sauces, mayonnaise, cereals, biscuits, noodles, pastas, to even spices, and much more. But is it safe to consume such food products? At the end of the day, you certainly don’t want to be penny wise pound foolish. 

Lure of discounts & attractive offers
Megha Sharma (name changed), a 28-year-old media professional often shops at supermarkets for food supplies. “More than being a foodie, its the unending soaring inflation because of which the ‘buy-one-get-one-free’ or even ‘buy-two-get-one-free’ offers or slashing off some rupees from the MRP of food products, makes them irresistible to purchase, even if they’re closer to expiration or best before dates,” she says. But does she consume food products past their expiration or best before dates? “It depends on what the product is and how much it costs. If it contains preservatives and costs more, then I will still consume them say, for a month beyond its expiration or best before date,” Megha confesses.

Most dangerous to consume animal products
Consultant nutritionist Niti Desai says that animal products are most dangerous to consume when they’re closer to their expiration or best before date. “The reason being, one can visually detect if vegetables are spoilt or wilted. But in the case of animal products like meat, fish, milk, curds and cheese, there’s a high chance of spoilage as they are a live medium for microorganisms to grow. Also, it’s not easy for one to detect deterioration,” she warns.  There runs a risk of health issues like an upset stomach, nausea, loose motions, food poisoning, intolerance too.

Safe to consume but conditions apply
Before you to begin buy such food products in bulk without blinking an eye lid, there are some things you need to keep in mind. “Firstly, read the label and check the expiry date. Food can remain safe for consumption while they are closer to their best before date, provided they are stored and handled carefully. Watch out for signs such as dented or out of shape cans, and oil separating from dressings. Once the it has been opened, ensure that you use it or store it as mentioned on the packaging. For eg. Vegetables to be frozen, cereals stored in an air-tight dry containers, etc,” explains dietician Zainab Syed, Aviva Multi Speciality Hospital.

Canned foods can be consumed post expiry
It may not sound enticing, but canned foods can be safe for consumption post their expiry date. “Canned foods can be safe for consumption, though there is a steady loss of nutrients. But remember to watch out for rusted lids and puffed cans. Canned foods can be good for consumption provided they are stored in a cool dry place and can be safe from six months to a year,” clarifies Syed.

Processed food products safer to consume
Now that animal products have been ruled out, there’s no need to get dejected as there’s the category of processed food products that are safer to consume closer to expiration or best before dates. Processed foods such as pastas, noodles, cold drinks and biscuits are least likely to be spoiled close to their expiration date, as they are not live foods for bacteria to grow into, says Desai. But keep in mind that such products are also loaded with preservatives and additives.

Honey doesn’t get spoiled
Honey being a very sugary product with a very low water content inhibits the growth of organisms including bacteria and fungus. Therefore, it can stay for a long time if stored in sealed containers in a cool dry place. With the passage of time, it will darken and there will be changes in its flavour and aroma. Commercially produced honey has practically indefinite shelf life, over time it may crystallise but that does not mean it has been spoilt, informs Desai.

Syed shares the following guidelines:
Always use baby food before its expiry date.

Check the food label as to Used By, Best By, Best Before dates that are mostly used for mayonnaise, butter and sauces. Also, check for change in colour.

Check for Sell By date on perishables like meat, fish and poultry. 

While buying meat if there’s is no label, watch out for green or brown discolouration or sticky texture for fish, and check if the gills are pale, eyes sunken and stale smell.

For milk, check for sour smell and taste; for vegetables, check if they’re wilted and if there’s any loss of colour.

What do they mean?
Best before date: This refers to quality, not safety and is referred for best flavour and/or quality

Use by date: This is recommended for peak quality.

Sell by date: This is like a guide for retailers, so they can accordingly pull off the products off the shelves.