1. Understand the Date Lingo
Before you can spot a fake date, it's vital to understand what the dates mean. In India, regulations require food to have a 'Best Before' or a 'Use By'/'Expiry' date. There's a critical difference. A 'Best Before' date is about quality. The food is likely
safe to eat after this date, but the taste, texture, or nutritional value might decline. Think biscuits that aren't as crisp or spices that are less aromatic. A 'Use By' or 'Expiry' date, however, is a hard safety deadline. This applies to highly perishable items like milk, bread, and fresh juices. Consuming a product after its 'Use By' date is a health risk, even if it looks and smells fine, as it could contain harmful bacteria. Selling products past their 'Use By' date is illegal.
2. Inspect the Packaging Integrity
A compromised package is a major red flag. Before even looking at the date, examine the container itself. Avoid packages that are swollen, leaking, rusted, or have dents, especially on the seams. Check for signs of tampering like broken seals, loose caps, or punctures. Some products have multiple layers of protection, like an outer plastic wrap and an inner foil seal. Ensure both are intact. Unscrupulous vendors sometimes try to re-glue or re-wrap packaging, so look for unusual glue marks or tears. A surprisingly common tactic is to place a new sticker directly over the original printed date. Always be suspicious of these stickers. Try to see if the original date is visible underneath or if the sticker looks out of place compared to the rest of the branding. When in doubt, leave it on the shelf.
3. Scrutinise the Print and Label
Fraudsters often use chemical solvents to erase original dates and then reprint new ones with handheld machines. These fake prints are rarely perfect. Look closely at the date and batch number area. Signs of tampering can include smudged, blurry, or unevenly printed text. Feel the area with your finger; a manipulated date might easily smudge or leave ink residue. Also, compare the font, ink colour, and print quality of the date with the rest of the information on the package, like the ingredients list or manufacturer's address. Any inconsistency is a warning sign. For instance, if the date looks much newer or is printed in a slightly different shade of black than the other text, it may have been altered. If another packet of the same product is nearby, compare the two.
4. Verify the FSSAI Licence Number
Every legitimate pre-packaged food product sold in India must display a 14-digit licence number issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). This number is a crucial mark of authenticity and traceability. It's usually printed near the MRP and manufacturer details. The absence of an FSSAI number is a clear violation and suggests the product may not be compliant with safety standards. You can use this number to verify the food business operator on the FSSAI's own portal (FoSCoS). While this won't confirm the expiry date of a specific packet, it helps establish the legitimacy of the manufacturer or packer, adding a layer of trust. A fake product is much more likely to have a fake or missing FSSAI number.
5. Trust Your Senses Above All
Ultimately, the most reliable tools you have are your own eyes, nose, and hands. A printed date means nothing if the product itself is clearly off. Never purchase or consume food that has an unusual odour, a strange colour, or a slimy or mouldy texture. For liquid products, if the container spurts or foams when opened, discard it immediately. With packaged items like chips or biscuits, if they have lost their crunch and taste stale, their quality is compromised, even if the 'Best Before' date hasn't passed. For dairy products like curd or milk, a sour smell or curdled appearance is a definitive sign of spoilage, regardless of the 'Use By' date. Remember, the date is a guideline; the condition of the food is the final word.
