Understanding labels – minimum durability date and expiration date

Laura Schneider ✓

Diets Premium Medical Expert • 24.09.2026

✓

Scientifically reviewed by a clinical dietitian: This article has been peer-reviewed for adherence to IŻŻ, WHO, and PTGiP clinical nutritional standards.

CLINICAL KNOWLEDGE MAGAZINE Health Conditions	min read 5 min
Diets Premium Medical Expert Laura Schneider	Scientifically reviewed by a clinical dietitian 24.09.2026

Understanding labels – minimum durability date and expiration date

Smart Voice

•

Listen to the article content live

0:00 / 0:00

Key Takeaways

Many Poles believe they are making healthy choices when purchasing dairy products labeled as light or high in protein. However, in pursuit of a healthy lifestyle, we often unconsciously select items containing additives, empty calories, or simple sugars, influenced by misleading marketing claims. These ingredients directly contribute to overweight, obesity, and numerous diet-related illnesses. It is essential to master the skill of reading labels, analyzing product compositions, and making informed decisions about our well-being.

Meal Plan

Want to apply these guidelines in your daily diet?

Our smart diet generator creates a tailored meal plan in 3 minutes based on the recommendations in this article.

Start Diet Generator →

How do you read labels?

The most important element in reading the labels is the composition of some milk syrup and some fructose or some sweet yogurt. The first is that all of these names simply mean sugar or some of its substitutes. However, it is worth remembering that 1 tablespoon of sugar or yogurt is the most easily available, so it is easier to add sugar to the fats and the fruit at the very end.

Date of minimum duration

This is the date by which the product is guaranteed to retain its properties and not deteriorate. It is mainly applicable to dry articles, i.e. pasta, casserole or rice. After this time the product does not have to be deteriorated or is not clearly harmful to the organism. This means that it is a date on which the manufacturer guarantees the freshness of the product and subsequently accepts no responsibility for any deterioration in quality compared to the fresh product.

Date of use

It is a term that means that when stored under the right conditions, the product retains its properties and microbiological durability. It usually refers to dairy products, meat and meat products. A raw material such as this should not spoil and change its colour or flavour until the day described above. After that, the article should not be consumed because it can be hazardous to health, and in some cases even to life at all. Reading the label is extremely important for maintaining health.