When it's necessary whether or not to throw a food product, it is very important to pay attention to the expiry date shown on the label: in fact, many researches have identified the wrong understanding of dates as one of the main causes of domestic food waste. To reduce the waste that, remember, concerns about a third of all the food produced annually in the world, it is essential to know well the difference between the expiration dates indicated.
The Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 regulates the indications relating to the labeling of food products,defining what the Minimum Conservation Term (TMC) and the expiry date are.
- TheTMC is the date up to which the food product retains its specific organoleptic properties, always if kept in suitable conditions along the entire supply chain. Its determination is the responsibility of the manufacturer or packager and is placed under their direct responsibility.
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The TMC must be indicated with the words "to be consumed preferably by ...", if the date indicates the day, month and year, or "to be consumed preferably by the end..." in other cases.
- Therefore the products labeled with the TMC can be safely consumed even if the date has been exceeded, since there are no health hazards but only a variation of their organoleptic characteristics (fragrance, taste, crunchiness, etc. ...).
For more information, see the infographic.
Source: re-elaboration of the Metropolitan City of Turin from Il Fatto Alimentare
| Food | Duration | Consumable up to | Organoleptic losses | Microbiological risk if consumed after TMC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grinded coffee | 12-24 months | Consumable within 1 year after TMC | Loss of aroma and flavor | Irrelevant |
| Extravirgin olive oil | 12-18 months | Consumable within 1 year after TMC | Loss of aroma and flavor | Irrelevant |
| Preserves, pickles and tomato sauce | 2-3 years | Consumables up to 1-2 months after TMC. | Irrelevant | Irrelevant |
| Pasta,rice | 24-30 months | Consumables up to 1-2 months after TMC | Irrelevant | Irrelevant |
| Biscuits, crackers | 6-8 months | Consumables up to 1 month after TMC | Not very relevant | Irrilevant |
| Fruit juices | 6-12 months | Consumables up to 6 months after the TMC date. | Loss of flavor | Irrilevant |
- The expiration day is used in the labels of highly perishable foodstuffs from the microbiological point of view and therefore, after a short period of expiry, could constitute an immediate health hazard.
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It must be indicated using the phrase "to consume by", followed by the date itself or by indicating the point of the pack where it appears.It is expressed with the indication of the day, of the month and possibly of the year and provides that the conservation conditions must also be indicated.
- The products labeled with the expiration date should not be consumed if it has been exceeded, as the food is considered a health risk.