Shelf Life Calculator

Whole calendar months are added to the manufacturing date, clamped to month-end (31 Jan + 1 month = 28 Feb). Packaged foods in India typically carry 3–12 months, medicines 24–36 months from manufacture — always cross-check the printed best-before date.

Expiry (use-by) dates on medicines, dairy and baby food are safety limits — do not use after them. Best-before dates on biscuits, grains and spices signal peak quality; the food is often safe briefly after if stored well and shows no spoilage signs.

No. Potency drops unpredictably after expiry and some degraded compounds can harm — critical for insulin, antibiotics, heart and seizure medication. The tiny saving is never worth the risk; dispose via pharmacy take-back, never the drain.

Usually yes. Once opened, oxygen and moisture enter — ground spices lose aroma in months, cooking oils oxidise, and reconstituted syrups often last only 7–14 days refrigerated. Follow the label's use-within guidance after opening.

Heat and humidity are the main spoilage drivers: keep items below 25°C in dark, dry cupboards; refrigerate what labels demand; never store medicines in bathrooms or above stoves. Monsoon dampness ruins powders and strips — use airtight containers with silica.

MFG is the manufacturing date, EXP the hard expiry, and BBE/BB the best-before date — usually in DD/MM/YYYY or MM/YYYY format. When only month-year is printed, treat expiry as the last day of that month.