Food Expiry Date Calculator

Calculate the expiry date of any packaged food product. Enter the manufacturing or packing date and shelf life to know exactly when your food expires.

🍎 Food Expiry Date Calculator
Check the "Mfg. Date", "Packed On", or "Production Date" on the food packaging.
✅ Food Expiry Date
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🍎 Food Product

Food Shelf Life Guide: How Long Does Food Last?

Understanding food shelf life is essential for both food safety and reducing food waste. Consuming expired food can lead to foodborne illnesses, while discarding food that is still safe wastes money and resources. Our food expiry date calculator helps you make informed decisions about the food in your pantry, fridge, and freezer.

Shelf Life of Common Food Products

Food CategorySealed / UnopenedAfter Opening
Packaged biscuits & cookies6–12 months2–4 weeks
Rice & wheat flour1–2 years6–12 months
Canned vegetables/fruits2–5 years3–5 days (refrigerated)
Packaged milk (UHT)6–12 months5–7 days (refrigerated)
Cooking oil1–2 years6 months
Spices & masalas (ground)2–3 years6 months
Packaged snacks & chips3–9 months1–2 weeks
Jams & preserves1–2 years6 months (refrigerated)
HoneyIndefiniteIndefinite
Instant noodles1–2 yearsN/A (cook immediately)

Understanding Food Date Labels in India

Indian food packaging regulations under FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) require food manufacturers to clearly display:

Food Safety Tip: "Best Before" does not always mean the product is unsafe after that date — it may just have reduced quality. However, "Use By" dates are safety-critical and should always be respected.

Proper Food Storage to Maximise Shelf Life

Frequently Asked Questions

A "Best Before" date indicates when the product is at its peak quality — it may still be safe to eat after this date but may have reduced flavour, texture, or nutritional value. An "Expiry Date" or "Use By" date is a safety date — the product should not be consumed after this date as it could pose health risks.
Many packaged foods with a "Best Before" label can still be consumed shortly after the date if they have been stored properly and show no signs of spoilage (no unusual smell, colour change, or mould). However, always use your judgement and when in doubt, throw it out.
Simply enter the manufacturing or packing date in our food expiry date calculator and the shelf life shown on the product packaging. Click Calculate and you will instantly see the exact expiry date. For example, chips packed on 1 March 2024 with a 6-month shelf life expire on 1 September 2024.
Freezing significantly slows bacterial growth and can extend the safe life of many foods well beyond the printed date. However, frozen food can still suffer quality degradation over time (freezer burn). Most frozen foods are best consumed within 3–12 months, even if they remain technically safe for longer.

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