Date Marking and Shelf-Life Calculator
Know the exact date-marking wording and precision a product needs before packaging goes to print, not after a recall.
What it does
Calculates legally compliant date marking formats, date precision, freezing date rules, and mandatory storage conditions under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011.
Ask it like this
youWhat date-marking format and precision does a yoghurt with a 14-day shelf life need, produced today?
You never name the capability. Your assistant selects shelf_life_dating itself.
Input
| Field | Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| product_category | string | yes | checked against Annex X point 1(d) exemptions, e.g. fresh fruit, wine, vinegar |
| microbiological_hazard | boolean | yes | true if highly perishable; sets use-by versus best-before |
| shelf_life_duration | integer | yes | numeric shelf life value |
| shelf_life_unit | 'Days' | 'Months' | 'Years' | yes | unit for shelf_life_duration |
| production_date | string | yes | date the shelf life is calculated from |
| date_of_first_freezing | string | optional | for frozen meat, meat preparations and unprocessed fishery products |
| has_special_storage | boolean | optional | flags storage_instructions as mandatory |
| storage_instructions | string | optional | required storage conditions to print on pack |
| post_opening_limit | string | optional | use-after-opening period, where applicable |
Output
| Field | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| is_exempt | boolean | true for Annex X point 1(d) exemptions, e.g. wine, vinegar, sugar |
| legal_date_type | 'BEST_BEFORE' | 'BEST_BEFORE_END' | 'USE_BY' | 'EXEMPT' | per Article 24 |
| mandatory_prefix | string | e.g. "use by ..." or "Best before end ..." |
| required_precision | string | day, month or year granularity required for the shelf life given |
| calculated_expiry_date | string | production_date plus shelf_life_duration |
| formatted_expiry_string | string | on-pack date string at the required precision |
| formatted_freezing_string | string | set when date_of_first_freezing is given |
| portion_printing_warning | boolean | true when a use-by date must also be printed on individual portions of a multi-pack |
| disclaimer | string | states what the regulation specifies, not a compliance verdict |
Sources
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex X and Article 24
Who published this
Every capability is authored by one named publisher. You see who stands behind an answer, and you can take the conversation further with them directly.
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How uncertainty is handled
This capability reports a confidence score with every answer. Below 80, results are flagged with review_required and the uncertain items are written to a review queue instead of being guessed.