A regular packet of chips, noodles or biscuits can appear to be perfectly ordinary on the grocery shelf, but the date printed on it deserves to get more than a glance, especially after the recent news headline. In Navi Mumbai, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discovered an alleged racket that involved tampering with manufacturing and expiry dates on packaged food. Authorities seized products worth about Rs 75 lakh and reportedly discovered chemicals and printing tools being used to remove or replace the date information.
The case is a reminder that an expiry date is not just another random printed piece of information on the packet. FSSAI's labelling rules require packaged foods to carry necessary title and date information, which includes batch or lot details and other relevant manufacturing, packing, expiry or best-before details. So, before putting that packet into your shopping basket, here are five things that you should check:
The Date Looks Scraped, Smudged, Or Printed Unevenly
Give a thorough look over the manufacturing and expiry information before purchasing the product. If the printed area looks scratched, unusually thick or smudged as compared with the rest of the packaging, pause and look keenly. Even a slightly uneven ink appearance alone does not establish fraud, but obvious marks around the date deserve a little more attention.
In the recent investigation, officials reportedly found original dates being obliterated and replacement dates being printed. If the date appears altered, do not depend on the newer-looking number just because it gives the product a longer shelf life.
(Image credit: Freepik)
A Sticker Covers The Original Date
Pay close attention when a sticker is placed directly over the manufacturing or expiry date. Look near the edges of the sticker to see if the older printing is visible underneath or anywhere around it. Check if the date is printed in the same style and is complete as the rest of the manufacturer's information.
If a sticker appears to have been placed precisely over an earlier date, do not treat the newer date as automatically trustworthy. It is safer to pick another pack where the manufacturing and expiry details are clearly visible and easy to read without any smudges or scratches.
The Shelf Life Looks Unusually Long
Read the manufacturing date, expiry or best-before date and stated shelf life together rather than checking only the final date. If the duration between manufacturing and expiry seems unusually lengthy, compare it with another pack of the same product and brand kept on the shelf. Identical products can have various dates as they belong to different batches, but the mentioned shelf life should generally follow the labelling pattern of the manufacturer.
An unexplained distinction between otherwise similar packs should be something to question. If you are not sure, ask the retailer to clarify the date instead of assuming the longer shelf life is right.
The Batch Number Is Missing Or Altered
The batch or lot number helps in identifying when and where a certain food batch was made, making it necessary for product traceability. Before buying any packaged food, locate this number and make sure it is clearly printed and visible. Watch for numbers that appear to be scratched, are partially erased, covered with another sticker, or simply printed over older markings.
Also, check if the batch code appears to be consistent with the rest of the packaging. If a product has significant identification details missing or is visibly modified, choose another pack rather.
Different Parts Of The Label Do Not Match
Look at the whole package rather than just focusing on the expiry date alone. The brand name, product information, list of ingredients, nutritional panel and other printed details should have a consistent appearance pattern. Pay a little more attention if one section suddenly uses a separate font, ink shade, printing quality or alignment.
A date or product detail that appears to be noticeably newer than the other information around it deserves extra attention. Compare it with another pack of the same product if available. Differences can sometimes come from the printing batches, but a visibly edited section is a good reason to get another pack.
(Image credit: Freepik)
The Seal Or Packaging Looks Tampered With
The physical state of the packet can offer an essential clue before you even reach for the label. Look for the seal, edges and areas around the printed information for indications of opening or reworking. Look for broken stamps, unusual glue marks if any, peeled-and-reapplied labels, extra layers of packaging or printing that appears to have been added after the packet was prepared.
Also, it is better to avoid packs that are badly damaged, swollen or appear to be leaking, dirty or visibly old. If the packaging no longer looks appropriately sealed or intact, there is little reason to take the chance.