How to Identify Fake Products and Check Expiry Dates
Learn how to identify possible counterfeit products, recognize warning signs on packaging, and check manufacturing, packing, best-before and expiry information before purchasing packaged products.
Protect Yourself from Counterfeit Products
Go through these telltale signs that can help you identify an original product from a counterfeit, and make sure you are not taken for a ride.
Fake products may imitate the appearance of trusted brands, including their packaging, logos, barcodes and product information.
Checking multiple details before buying can help you identify suspicious products, although no single visual sign can guarantee authenticity.
8 Warning Signs of Counterfeit Products
Pay attention to these common signs when purchasing products in shops or online.
Unreal Discounts
Be careful when a popular branded product is sold at an unusually low price. Compare the offer with trusted retailers.
Flimsy Packaging
Look for torn seals, poor-quality packaging, unusual printing, weak materials or signs that a package has been opened.
Grammatical & Spelling Mistakes
Unexpected spelling mistakes, inconsistent instructions, or unusual grammar can be warning signs on counterfeit packaging.
Fake Websites
Check website addresses carefully. Fraudulent stores may imitate official websites with similar domain names or copied branding.
Poor Quality of Products
Unexpected differences in materials, finishing, color, smell or appearance may indicate a problem with product quality or authenticity.
Omissions & Mismatch
Look for missing or inconsistent batch numbers, manufacturer details, dates, product variants or other required label information.
Flawed Fonts and Logos
Compare the brand logo, typography and packaging design with the manufacturer's official product images.
No Contact Details
Check whether manufacturer, distributor or customer-support details are present where required. Missing or suspicious information deserves further verification.
Remember: A suspicious package does not automatically prove that a product is counterfeit. Verify concerns with the manufacturer or an authorized seller.
Can We Check an Expiry Date by Barcode?
Sometimes, but not from every barcode.
Most ordinary retail EAN and UPC barcodes contain a product identification number, not the manufacturing date, batch number or expiry date.
However, some advanced GS1 barcode formats can contain additional information, including batch or lot numbers and expiry dates.
For most packaged food products, the simplest way to check the expiry information is to read the details printed on the product label.
| Information | Where to Check |
|---|---|
| Barcode / Product Number | The printed EAN, UPC or other barcode identification number. |
| Packing Date | Product packaging or printed packing-date field. |
| Manufacturing Date | Manufacturing-date information on the package, where applicable. |
| Best Before | A printed date or period indicating the stated quality-life information. |
| Expiry / Use By | The printed expiry or use-by date on the label. |
| Batch / Lot Number | Batch or lot information printed by the manufacturer. |
Important: A barcode that scans successfully does not prove the product is genuine. Counterfeit products may copy real product barcode numbers.
How to Verify a Product's Expiry and Packaging Details
Before buying packaged food or other dated products, follow these checks.
- Find the packing or manufacturing date. Check the printed label for the date on which the item was made or packed, where applicable.
- Look for the Best Before or Expiry Date. Read the exact wording and date carefully. If the label says "Best Before X months from packing," use the stated packing date and duration.
- Check the current date. Make sure the date information is appropriate before purchasing or using the product.
- Check the batch or lot number. Look for missing, unclear, overwritten or inconsistent batch information.
- Inspect the printed label. Be cautious about stickers placed over original dates, damaged seals, altered numbers or other evidence of tampering.
- Contact the manufacturer if needed. If the batch or expiry information appears suspicious, contact the manufacturer using contact details from its verified website.
- Do not consume suspicious food. If the food appears expired, spoiled, relabelled or tampered with, do not taste it to check its safety.
What If a Product Label Has Been Replaced?
Sometimes a retailer may apply an additional label for a legitimate purpose, such as pricing or local-language information. A new sticker alone does not prove that a product is fake.
However, deliberately changing manufacturing or expiry information to sell expired products is a serious concern.
If you notice conflicting dates or suspected alteration, compare the label details and check the batch information with the manufacturer.
A batch number is not necessarily unique across all products or all time periods. The manufacturer is best placed to confirm the correct product, batch and date information.
Your health comes first. Never rely on taste or smell alone to determine whether packaged food is safe to consume.
Product Authenticity & Barcode FAQs
Click a question to learn more. Opening another question closes the previous explanation.
Does scanning a barcode prove that a product is original?
No. Scanning usually retrieves an identification number or encoded data. The same number may appear on copied or counterfeit packaging.
Authentication may require manufacturer verification, secure product identifiers or other checks.
What is the difference between Best Before and Expiry Date?
Best Before generally refers to the period for which the manufacturer expects the product to retain its stated quality under proper storage.
Expiry or Use By is a date after which the product should not be consumed or used according to its applicable safety requirements.
Always follow the instructions and dates printed on the product.
Can two products have the same barcode number?
Different units of the same retail product commonly have the same GTIN or retail barcode number.
Batch or serial information may be needed to distinguish production lots or individual items.
How do I confirm a suspicious batch or expiry date?
Check the manufacturer's official contact information and provide the product name, batch number, expiry date and relevant packaging details.
The manufacturer can advise whether these details match its records.
Useful Product Labelling Resources
Learn more about barcode standards and how to read food packaging labels.
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