What does an expiration date mean for fermented food products (Kimchi, Kombucha, Natto, etc.)?

Question

It doesn’t really spoil, does it? What’s the purpose of the expiration date?

In: 7

Answer 1

In Australia we have Best Before and Used By

BEST BEFORE means it’s pretty much guaranteed to be the same as when it was packed but you can eat it and sell it after that date

USED BY means it can’t be sold (heavy fines for sale of products past their used by dates) and shouldn’t be consumed after that date as it has the potential to have been spoiled.

Anything that has living organisms in it ( hasn’t been dehydrated or pasturised) has the potential to rot/spoil and cause illness, hence the USED BY dates