Deceiving to sell: A few years ago, buying groceries meant walking into a store, picking up a product, turning it around, and reading the label.
We checked the manufacturing date. We checked the expiry date. Sometimes we checked the ingredients. Many of us even compared two packets and chose the fresher one. Today, shopping has changed.
Millions of Indians buy groceries through e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms because it is fast, convenient, and saves time.
But convenience should never come at the cost of information. As a gastroenterologist, I encourage people to make informed food choices every day. I ask them to read nutrition labels, understand ingredients, reduce ultra-processed foods, and choose healthier options whenever possible. But there is one basic piece of information that is often missing when people shop online—the manufacturing date, expiry date, or best-before date.
Without this information, how can someone make an informed decision?
Many people think expiry dates are only about food poisoning. That is not true. Different dates tell us different things. An expiry date tells us when a product should no longer be consumed because it may no longer be safe.
A best-before date usually refers to quality. The food may still be safe after this date, but its taste, texture, aroma, or nutritional value may not be the same.
The manufacturing date tells us how old the product is. Even when two products have the same expiry date, many consumers naturally prefer the fresher one. This is normal. It is how people make food choices. Imagine ordering a tub of yogurt online. Wouldn't you like to know whether it was packed two days ago or two months ago?
Imagine buying whole wheat bread. Wouldn't you prefer choosing the fresher loaf yourself instead of leaving that decision to chance? These are not unreasonable expectations.
They are basic pieces of information that help consumers make decisions. As doctors, we often advise people with diabetes, kidney disease, digestive disorders, or weakened immunity to pay closer attention to the food they eat. For these individuals, freshness can matter even more.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
