Verfallsangabe

Verfallsangabe, also known as expiration date or best-before date, is a designated period indicating the timeframe within which a product, especially perishable goods such as food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals, is expected to retain its specified quality, safety, and efficacy when stored under recommended conditions. This date aims to inform consumers about the optimal consumption period and help prevent the use of products that may pose health risks or have degraded in quality.

In many countries, the inclusion of a Verfallsangabe on product packaging is mandatory for food items, in accordance with national or international regulations. The date is typically printed as a day, month, and year, with variations depending on local standards. There are generally two types of dating: the "Mindesthaltbarkeitsdatum" (minimum durability date), indicating until when a product maintains its intended quality, and the "Verbrauchsdatum" (use-by date), which is crucial for highly perishable items like fresh meat or fish, signaling that the product should not be consumed after this date for safety reasons.

The significance of Verfallsangabe lies in consumer protection, ensuring that products are consumed within their safe and effective period. Manufacturers set these dates based on stability testing, microbial growth potential, and other factors affecting product integrity. It is essential for consumers to heed these dates and store products properly to maximize safety and quality.

In summary, the Verfallsangabe serves as a key indicator for the safe and optimal use of products, safeguarding public health and maintaining consumer trust in product labeling.