Crisps, also known as potato chips in some parts of the world, are a popular snack among people of all ages. They come in different flavours, shapes and sizes, and are often sold in convenient one-pound packets.
However, many consumers have noticed an interesting phenomenon when it comes to the best before dates of crisps – they always seem to expire on a Saturday. This has led to much speculation and confusion among consumers, who are left wondering why this is the case. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind this strange occurrence and shed some light on the science behind best before dates.
What Is A Best Before Date?
Firstly, it is important to understand what best before dates mean. Best before dates are not the same as expiry dates, which indicate when a product is no longer safe to consume. Best before dates are simply an indication of when a product is at its best quality, and after this date, the product may start to deteriorate in taste or texture. This means that crisps that have passed their best before date are not necessarily unsafe to eat, but they may not taste as good as they would have if they were consumed before the date.
Why Do Crisps Always Expire On A Saturday?
Now, let’s dive into the reason why crisps always seem to expire on a Saturday. The answer lies in the way that best before dates are calculated. Best before dates are determined by manufacturers based on a number of factors, such as the ingredients used, the packaging, and the storage conditions. Manufacturers conduct tests to determine how long a product will maintain its quality under various conditions, and this information is used to determine the best before date.
In the case of crisps, the best before date is often calculated based on the amount of time that the crisps will stay fresh in the packaging. Crisps are susceptible to moisture, which can cause them to go stale, and exposure to light, which can cause them to become rancid. To prevent this from happening, crisps are typically packaged in airtight bags with a special lining that helps to keep out moisture and light.
The reason why crisps always seem to expire on a Saturday has to do with the way that best before dates are calculated. Best before dates are often calculated based on a standard number of days from the date of production, and this number of days is rounded up to the nearest whole number. For example, if the best before date is calculated to be 90 days from the date of production, it may be rounded up to 100 days to give consumers a bit of extra time to consume the product.
However, if the best before date falls on a day that the manufacturer is not open for business, such as a Sunday or a public holiday, the manufacturer may choose to shift the date to the nearest available day. In the case of crisps, this often means that the best before date is shifted to the nearest Saturday, which is a day that most manufacturers are open for business.
It is also worth noting that the choice of Saturday as the nearest available day may have to do with consumer behaviour. Saturdays are typically busy shopping days, and consumers may be more likely to purchase snacks like crisps on this day. By setting the best before date to a Saturday, manufacturers may be able to increase the chances that consumers will purchase the product before it expires.
In conclusion, the reason why crisps always seem to expire on a Saturday has to do with the way that best before dates are calculated. Best before dates are often calculated based on a standard number of days from the date of production, and if the best before date falls on a day that the manufacturer is not open for business, the date may be shifted to the nearest available day. In the case of crisps, this often means that the best before date is shifted to the nearest Saturday!
