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STANDARDIZATION ORGANIZATION FOR G.C.C (GSO)  
GSO 150/2007 
 
       
Expiration periods of food products  
 
ICS : 67.040.00  
         
Expiration periods of food products  
 
Date of GSO Board of Directors' Approval :19/5/1428h (5/6/2007) 
Issuing Status :Technical regulations GSO 150/2007 GSO STANDARD  
 
Foreword 
 
GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) is a regional Organization which consists of the 
National Standards Bodies of GCC member States. One of GSO main functions is to issue Gulf Standards /Technical regulations through specialized technical committees (TCs).  GSO through the technical program of committee TC No.:.(5) " Gulf  technical committee for 
standards of food and agriculture products " has updated the GSO Standard No. 150/1993  " Expiration Periods of food products : part 1 " & GSO Standard No. 1023/2000  " Expiration Periods of food products : part 2 " The Draft Standard has been prepared by ( Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) .  This standard has been approved as a Gulf Technical Regulation by GSO Board of Directors in its meeting No.(6),held on 19/5/1428h (5/6/2007G) . The approved standard will replace and supersede the GSO standards No. (150/1993 & 1023/2000).    GSO 150/2007 GSO STANDARD  
 
9Expiration periods Of Food Products  
1. SCOPE AND FIELD OF APPLICATION 
 This standard is concerned with expiration periods for food products. 
2. COMPLEMENTARY REFERENCES 
2.1 GSO 9/2007 “Labelling of Prepackaged Foods”. 
2.2 GSO food product Standards mentioned in this standard . 
2.3 GSO Food packaging Standards. 
3. DEFINITIONS  
3.1 Expiration period: A period during which the product retains its specific properties 
and remains permissible, acceptable and fit for human consumption under the set packaging, transportation and storage conditions. 
3.2 Foodstuff: Any substance whether processed, semi-processed or unprocessed, 
which is intended for direct human consumption or used in manufacturing, preparing or treating of food stuff.  It does not include perfumes, tobacco and tobacco products or any substances used only as drugs. 
3.3 Expiration date: The date designating the end of the expiration period under the set 
packaging, transportation and storage conditions. 
3.4 Production date: The date on which the food becomes an end product suitable for 
packaging. 
4. REQUIREMENTS  
4.1 Without prejudice to what is stated in GSO Standard (item 2.1) “Labelling of 
Prepackaged Foods” and to the Gulf standards for each food product, the production and expiration dates shall be declared on the label of the package /or the package in an uncoded manner as follows: 
– [Day-Month-Year] for food products having an expiration period less than 3 
months. 
– [Month-Year] for food products having an expiration period exceeding 3 months. 
 The use of any of the following statements for expressing the expiration date is 
permissible, it is mandatory to mention the production date: 
– Expiration date; 
– Use by:.............................................(date); 
– Fit for:.............................................from the date of production; 
– Use before: ......................................(date); 
– Sell by:.............................................(date),( for food products having an expiration 
period exceeding 3 months). 
4.2 in case of writing production and expiration dates in month and year only, the 
expiration period shall be calculated up to the end of the registered expiration month. GSO 150/2007 GSO STANDARD  
 
J4.3 Dates shall be engraved or in relief, printed or stamped by irremovable ink directly 
on all packages or on their original label by the producer only.  Adding stickers for production and expiration dates is not permissible.  There shall be not more than one date of production or of expiration on the same package.  Both dates shall not be subject to deletion, change or deceit. 
4.4 This GS standard include Mandatory Expiration periods and Indicative Expiration 
periods As follows :  
4.4.1 Mandatory Expiration periods of food products. 
4.4.1.1 Chilled food products : To be stored at a temperature from 0
0C–50C
Product  Type of 
Packaging  Expiration 
Period  Notes  
Meat and Meat Products  
Chilled meat packed 
under carbon dioxide atmosphere Suitable 
containers 
eliminating 
gases exchange 90 days from 
slaughtering 
date Temperature (-0.5 ± 1)
oC
Suitable 
containers 7days 
from 
slaughtering 
date Except brain and testis 
Expiration period which 
shall not exceed 5 days 
from slaughtering date. 
Packed under 
vacuum in 
suitable plastic 
containers 51 days from 
slaughtering 
date Temperature (-0.5 ± 1)oCEdible organs and 
viscera such as kidneys, heart, brain, tongue,  and poultry giblets .... etc. 
Packed under 
carbon dioxide 
atmosphere in 
suitable 
containers 90 days from 
slaughtering 
date Temperature (-0.5 ± 1)
oCGSO 150/2007 GSO STANDARD  
 
KProduct  Type of 
Packaging  Expiration 
Period  Notes  
Poultry meat (chicken 
-duck - goose - turkey 
-rabbits - pigeons       
-quails .... etc). Suitable plastic 
containers 7days from 
slaughtering  
Poultry chicken that 
has been treated with 
irradiation dose of 3 
kGy(kilogray) 
 Suitable plastic 
containers 12 days from 
slaughtering  
Beef and buffalo meat Suitable 
containers 21 days from 
slaughtering 
date  
Mutton and goat meat Suitable 
containers 14 days from 
slaughtering 
date  
Meat packed under 
vacuum Plastic 
containers 10 weeks from 
slaughtering 
date  
Milk and Milk Products 
Pasteurized cream Tightly sealed 
suitable plastic 
or carton 
containers 21 days  
Labnah heat treated 
after fermentation Tightly sealed 
plastic 
containers 4months In case of using 
aluminium cover it shall be isolated as to not contact the product 
Pasteurized milk and 
flavoured Pasteurized milk 
 Tightly sealed 
suitable 
containers, 
plastic or paper 5days  
Yoghurt and flavoured 
yoghurt Suitable tightly 
sealed 
containers 10 days  
Heat treated yoghurt 
after fermentation Suitable 
containers 6weeks  
Labnah Suitable 
containers 15 days  GSO 150/2007 GSO STANDARD  
 
NProduct  Type of 
Packaging  Expiration 
Period  Notes  
Laban and flavoured 
Laban Suitable tightly 
sealed 
containers 7days  
Butter Suitable 
containers 2months  
Other Different Products  
Pasteurized fruit 
juices, drinks and nectars Plastic or carton 
containers 30 days  
Margarine Packed in 
plastic foils 3months  
4.4.1.2 Baby foods Products stored in well-ventilated stores (Temperature shall not 
exceed 25 oC) :- 
Product  Type of 
Packaging  Expiration 
Period  Notes  
Sterilized liquid milk 
prepared  for infants Tightly sealed 
glass or plastic 
containers 9months  
Milky Dried Food for 
ildrenChSealed metal 
containers 
packed under 
and vacuum 
sterilized 
containers or 
packed under 
vacuum and 
sterilized in the 
packaging 
carton 18 months  
Cardboard 
containers lined 
with aluminum 
foil 12 months Baby foods in the 
form of powder or 
granules prepared 
cereals or from
vegetables or , legumes
....etc,fruit Cardboard 
containers lined 
with aluminum 
foil packed 
under vacuum 
. sterilization and18 months GSO 150/2007 GSO STANDARD  
 
OMetal containers 
packed under 
vacuum and 
or zation sterili
in the presence 
of inert gas and 
sealed 
Baby foods powder 
based on milk Tightly sealed 
metallic 
containers or 
packed under 
vacuum and 
sterilized 18 months  
Strained baby foods  Glass containers 
tightly sealed 
and sterilized 12 months  
Baby fruits juices Glass containers 
tightly sealed 
and sterilized 12 months  
Carton ontainers 
lined with 
aluminium foils 12 months  
Baby foods in powder 
or granules form prepared from cereals, legumes, fruits or 
vegetables etc….. Metallic 
containers 
packed under 
vacuum or in 
presence of an 
inert gas. 18 months  
4.4.1.3 Food products which need specific temperature for keeping: 
Product  Type of 
Packaging  Expiration 
Period  Notes  
1month At temperature from 
11oC to 15oC Fresh eggs 
(Table eggs) Suitable 
containers 
3months At temperature from 4oC
to 10oCGSO 150/2007 GSO STANDARD  
 
Q4.4.2 Indicative Expiration periods of food products.  
4.4.2.1 Frozen Food Products: To be stored at a temperature not exceeding –18oC
Product  Type of 
Packaging  Expiration 
Period  Notes  
Meat and Meat Products  
Beef, buffalo, mutton 
and goat meat and camels  Suitable 
containers 12 months 
from 
slaughtering 
date  
Minced meat, burger 
meat, sausages, liver Plastic 
containers 9months  
Chickens, rabbits, 
turkey duck , goose and Ostrich Plastic 
containers 12 months 
from 
slaughtering 
date  
Edible organs and 
offals: 
 kidneys, heart, 
tongue, tripe, poultry giblets .... etc. 6months 
brain, testis 
liver 
 Suitable 
containers 
4months 
9months  
Pigeons and quails Suitable 
containers 9months From slaughtering date. 
Kabbah and Kofftah Suitable 
containers 9months  
Eggs Suitable 
containers 9months  GSO 150/2007 GSO STANDARD  
 
RProduct  Type of 
Packaging  Expiration 
Period  Notes  
Egg whites and egg 
yolks Suitable 
containers 9months  
Fish and Shell-Fish Products  
Gutted and Ungutted 
smoked fish. Suitable plastic 
containers 9months  
Processed fish 
products such as fish fingers and fish fillets…. etc. Suitable 
containers 12 months  
Lean fish Plastic or carton 
containers 12 months Fish species with oil 
content in edible part less 
than 5% 
Fatty fish Plastic or carton 
containers 6months Fish species with oil 
content in edible part of 
5% or more. 
Shrimp and shellfish Plastic or carton 
containers 8months  
Milk and Milk Products 
Ice cream , Milk ices 
and water ices Suitable 
containers 12 months  
Frozen yoghurt Suitable 
containers 12 months  
Butter Suitable 
containers 12 months  
Margarine In foil plastic or 
carton 12 months  
Fruits, Vegetables and Their Products 
Fruits and Fruits Puree Suitable 
containers 18 months  
Fruit juices Suitable 
containers 18  months  
Fried potato chips Packed in 
plastic bags 18 months  
Leafy vegetables Suitable 
containers 12 months  GSO 150/2007 GSO STANDARD  
 
TProduct  Type of 
Packaging  Expiration 
Period  Notes  
Other vegetables Suitable 
containers 18 months  
Concentrated fruit 
juices Suitable 
containers 24 months  
Product  Type of 
Packaging  Expiration 
Period  Notes  
Fungi such as 
mushroom Suitable 
containers 12 months  
Cereals, Pulses and Nuts and Their Products 
Dough Suitable 
containers 12 months  
Cake Suitable 
containers 12 months  
Fruit muffins such as 
apple muffins Suitable 
containers 18 months  
Muffins with cream Suitable 
containers 6months  
4.4.2.2  Chilled food products : To be stored at a temperature from 00C–50C
Product  Type of 
Packaging  Expiration 
Period  Notes  
Meat and Meat Products  
Cured or cooked 
processed meat 
packed in natural or synthetic wraps such as luncheon, salami, mortadella, frankfurters …. etc. Suitable 
containers 6months  
Dry salted fish Plastic, carton 
or aluminium 
foil containers 12 months  
Milk and Milk Products 
Processed cheese Other non-
metallic 
containers 18 months  GSO 150/2007 GSO STANDARD  
 
U 
Product  Type of 
Packaging  Expiration 
Period  Notes  
Hard cheese Suitable 
containers 12 months  
4.4.2.3 Food products to be stored at suitable temperature in well-ventilated stores(Not 
exceed 250C) 
 
Product  Type of 
Packaging  Expiration 
Period  Notes  
Meat and Meat Products  
Canned meat Sterilized 
metallic 
containers 24 months  
Spicy salted meat such 
as basterma, salami. Without 
wrapping such 
as basterma, and 
in suitable 
containers for 
other products 6months If basterma is sliced, it 
shall be packed in 
suitable containers and 
kept refrigerated at 0 oC
to 5 oC. 
Canned meat with 
vegetable Hermetically-
sealed metal 
cans 18 months  
Whole egg powder, 
egg white powder and egg yolk powder Suitable tightly-
sealed moisture 
proof  
containers 12 months  
Canned fish Sterilized 
metallic 
containers 24 months  
FISH, SHELL FISH 
AND THEIR PRODUCTS  
Canned shellfish Hermetically 
sealed metal 
cans 18 months  
Dried fish and 
shellfish Suitable plastic 
containers 12 months  
Salted fish in brine 
solution Suitable 
containers 12 months  GSO 150/2007 GSO STANDARD  
 
 
Milk and Milk Products 
Metallic 
containers      
packed under 
inert gas or 
under vacuum 18 months  
Skimmed dried milk 
Moisture-tight 
containers 12 months  
Metallic 
containers 
packed under 
inert gas or 
under vacuum 18 months  
Full cream dried milk 
Moisture-tight 
sealed plastic or 
carton 
containers 12 months  
Sterilized milk Non-metallic 
containers 6months  
Evaporated milk Metallic 
containers 12 months  
Metallic 
containers 12 months  
Sweetened condensed 
milk Tightly sealed 
carton 
containers lined 
with aluminium 
foil   6months Packed under aseptic 
conditions 
Metallic 
containers 12 months  Flavoured sterilized 
milk 
Other containers 6months  
Whipping cream 
powder Suitable tightly-
sealed moisture 
proof containers 18 months  
Cheeses packed in 
brine solution such as Aldumiaty, Alakkawy, Alnabolsy .... etc. Suitable tightly 
metallic or 
plastic sealed 
moisture proof 
containers 12 months  GSO 150/2007 GSO STANDARD  
 
9 
Product  Type of 
Packaging  Expiration 
Period  Notes  
Canned butter Hermetically 
sealed metal 
cans 15 months  
Naural Ghee Tightly-sealed 
suitable 
containers 12 months It is not permissible to  
package in PVC 
containers 
Processed cheese Metallic 
containers 18 months  
Ice cream powder Suitable tightly 
sealed, moisture 
proof containers 18 months  
Hermetically 
sealed metal 
cans 18 months  
Cream Tightly sealed 
carton 
containers 
linned with 
aluminium foil 6months Packed under aspetic 
conditions. 
UHT Milk Tightly sealed 
carton, coated 
containers lined 
with aluminium 
foil   4months  
Fruits, Vegetables and Their Products 
Metallic 
containers 18 months  Canned vegetables 
and canned fruits Glass containers 24 months  
Dried fruit juices Suitable 
containers 18 months  
Metallic or 
glass containers 24 months  
Jam, Jellies and 
Marmalades Tightly sealed 
plastic or 
aluminium foil 
containers 12 months  GSO 150/2007 GSO STANDARD  
 
J 
Product  Type of 
Packaging  Expiration 
Period  Notes  
Plastic bags 6 months  
Fried potato chips and 
corn puffs Aluminium 
foils bags or 
nitrogen 
atmosphere in 
carton lined 
with tin foils 
containers or 
in metallic 
containers 9months  
Dried fruits such as 
figs, raisins, prunes, 
apricots, etc Carton or plastic 
containers 12 months  
Hot sauces all types Glass containers 24 months  
Tightly sealed 
glass 
containers 18 months  
Metallic 
containers 
lined with 
plastic 12 months  
Pickles 
Plastic 
containers or 
plastic bags in 
well sealed 
tinplate cans 12 months  
Metallic 
containers 12 months  
Spiced tomato sauce 
Glass containers 18 months  GSO 150/2007 GSO STANDARD  
 
KProduct  Type of 
Packaging  Expiration 
Period  Notes  
Metallic 
containers 12 months  
Glass containers 18 months  Tomato sauce (tomato 
paste) and tomato puree (pulp) and 
ketchup Carton 
containers 
linned with 
aluminium foil 12 months Packed under aseptic 
conditions 
Hot sauce (chilli 
sauce) Suitable 
containers 24 months  
Tightly-sealed 
glass containers 18 months  Table olive preserved 
in brine solution or by sterilization and heat 
treated Tightly-sealed 
metal or plastic 
containers 12 months  
Mustard salad Tightly-sealed 
metal, glass or 
plastic 
containers 12 months  
Hermetically 
sealed metal 
containers 18 months  
Fungi such as 
mushroom Tightly sealed 
glass containers 24 months  
Dried apricot past 
(Kamaruldin) Wrapped in 
plastic or 
cellophane 12 months  
Metal cans or 
carton 
containers 
linned with 
aluminium foil, 
packed under 
vacuum or in 
the presence of 
an inert gas such 
as nitrogen 9months  Fried fruit chips such 
as apples, pears, peach with different flavours 
 
Plastic bags 6 months  GSO 150/2007 GSO STANDARD  
 
NProduct  Type of 
Packaging  Expiration 
Period  Notes  
Canned fruit pulp and 
canned concentrated fruit and vegetable   juices Tightly sealed 
metal or plastic 
containers 15 months The statement “For 
manufacturing purposes, 
not for direct 
consumption” shall be 
declared on the label 
Vegetable  fats, Oils and Their Products 
Vegetable oil and 
hydrogenated vegetable oils and their derivatives such as palm olean and styrene Plastic 
containers 12 months It is not permissible to  
package in PVC 
containers 
VEGETABLE 
GHEE  Metallic 
containers 18 months  
Margarine Metallic 
containers 12 months  
Cereals, Pulses and Nuts and Their Products 
Ground roasted coffee Packed in 
metallic or 
aluminium foils 
containers under 
vacuum or in 
the presence of 
an inert gas 18 months  
Instant coffee Metallic or glass 
containers or 
Aluminium foils 
or special paper 
containers  
24 months 
 Moisture content shall 
not exceed 4% by mass 
Carton 
containers or 
wrapped in 
special paper 
or cellophane 
or aluminium 
foils 9months  
Sweetened or salted 
biscuits 
Metallic cans 12 months  GSO 150/2007 GSO STANDARD  
 
O 
Product  Type of 
Packaging  Expiration 
Period  Notes  
Metallic 
containers 12 months  
Stuffed or covered 
biscuits Carton, plastic, 
cellophane or 
aluminium foil 
containers 9months  
Tightly-sealed 
metal cans 24 months  
Oat flakes 
Other containers 12 months  
Cake mixes Paper containers 
or aluminium 
foils 18 months  
Tightly-sealed 
glass containers 24 months  Canned pulses such as 
chick pea, chick pea with tehena and foul 
medames …. etc. Hermetically 
sealed metal 
containers 18 months  
Metal cans or 
aluminium foil 
bags, packed 
under vacuum 
or in nitrogen 
atmosphere 18 months  
Metal cans or 
aluminium foil 
bags 12 months  Shelled roasted nuts, 
salted or sweetened 
Plastic bags 6 months  
Metal cans or 
aluminium foil 
bags 18 months  Shelled roasted nuts 
coated with a layer of 
hard candy Plastic bags 12 months  GSO 150/2007 GSO STANDARD  
 
Q 
Product  Type of 
Packaging  Expiration 
Period  Notes  
Cloth bags 6 months  
Flour 
Packed in paper 
or plastic bags 12 months Temperature not 
exceeding 21oC in well-
ventilated stores far from 
moisture and 
contamination sources 
Pulses powder such as 
chick pea powder dried ground flafell 
(Taamia) Suitable 
moisture proof 
containers 12 months  
Peanut butter 
 Tightly-sealed 
glass or plastic 
containers 12 months  
Starch, all types Carton or plastic 
containers 24 months  
Breakfast cereals such 
as corn, wheat, rice 
flakes, etc. Carton 
containers or 
aluminium foils 12 months  
Packed in metal 
or aluminium 
foil containers 
under vacuum 
or in the 
presence of an 
inert gas such as 
nitrogen  18 months  
Ground roasted coffee 
with cardamun 
(Arabic coffee) 
Aluminium foils 
or special 
moisture proof 
paper containers12 months  
Macaroni Packed in 
cardboard 
containers or 
plastic bags 24 months  GSO 150/2007 GSO STANDARD  
 
R 
Product  Type of 
Packaging  Expiration 
Period  Notes  
Water and Beverages 
Hermetically 
seald metal cans 9months  
Malt beverage 
Tightly sealed 
glass containers 12 months  
Natural concentrated 
fruit drinks (squash) Suitable 
containers 24 months  
Artificial, 
concentrated fruit 
drinks Suitable 
containers 18 months  
Plastic or carton 
containers 
linned with 
aluminium foil 9months Packed under aseptic 
conditions Artificial drinks with 
natural or 
artificial flavours Tightly-sealed 
metal or glass 
containers 12 months  
-Metallic 
containers 9months  
Carbonated beverages 
-Glass 
containers 12 months  
Non-carbonated 
beverages Tightly-sealed 
plastic bottles 6months  
Rose water, flower 
water Tightly-sealed 
glass containers 12 months  
Carbonated natural 
mineral water Tightly-sealed 
glass containers 24 months  GSO 150/2007 GSO STANDARD  
 
TOther Different Products  
Product  Type of 
Packaging  Expiration 
Period  Notes  
Dried baker’s yeast Suitable vacuum 
packed (metal 
or carton linned 
with aluminium 
foil or plastic) 
containers 18 months  
Baking powder Suitable 
moisture proof 
containers 12 months  
Custard powder Suitable 
moisture proof 
containers 18 months  
Cream caramel 
powder Suitable 
moisture proof 
containers 18 months  
Muhallabia powder Suitable 
moisture proof 
containers 18 months  
Dumpling powder Suitable 
moisture proof 
containers 18 months  
Vanilla powder Suitable 
moisture proof, 
air-tight 
containers 24 months  
Food colours and 
flavours 
powder Suitable 
moisture proof 
containers 24 months  
Chewing gum Suitable 
moisture proof 
containers 18 months  
Coffee mate Suitable 
moisture proof 
containers 18 months  
Packaged in tea bags Textile bags  18 months GSO 150/2007 GSO STANDARD  
 
9USoy milk  Cardboard 
containers lined 
with aluminum 
foil 18 months 
Tightly-sealed 
metal or 
aluminium foil 
containers, 
packed under 
vacuum 18 months  Nutritive drinks 
powder such as that containing sugars, milk solids, flour, 
malt, cacao powder, 
calcium carbonate, 
bicarbonate, 
different flavours ….. 
etc. Other moisture 
proof containers 12 months  
Artificial beverage 
powder Suitable 
containers 18 months  
Product  Type of 
Packaging  Expiration 
Period  Notes  
Metallic, glass 
or aluminium 
foils 
containers 
packed under 
vacuum or in 
the presence 
of an inert gas 24 months  
Cocoa powder 
 Other 
containers 
such as paper 
or plastic 12 months  
Jelly powder Carton or plastic 
containers 18 months  
Plain hard candy Suitable 
containers 24 months  
Enriched fortified hard 
candy Suitable 
containers 12 months  
Soup powders Carton  plastic 
or aluminium 
foils containers 18 months  
Soup, partially 
dehydrated in cubic 
form, etc. Carton  plastic 
or aluminium 
foils containers 12 months  GSO 150/2007 GSO STANDARD  
 
9Brown sugar Carton or plastic 
bags 18 months  
Metallic or 
plastic 
containers 12 months  
Halawa Teheniah Wrapped in 
paper or  
aluminium foils 6months  
Tehena Suitable 
containers 9months  
Mayonnaise salad Glass or 
metallic 
containers 12 months  
Product  Type of 
Packaging  Expiration 
Period  Notes  
All types of chocolate Packed in 
carton, 
aluminium foils 
or plastic 
containers 12 months  
4.5 Food products exempted from indication of expiration date: 
– Edible salt. 
– White sugar. 
_ Honey  
– Dry and dried legumes, uncooked and un-canned such as peas, kidney bean, chick 
peas, broad beans, Egyptian beans, lentils, etc; 
– Dried vegetables; medical plants and herbs, anise, camomile, clove, saffron, 
fenugreek, etc; 
– Spices and condiments. 
– Tea. 
– Rice. 
– Vinegar.  
 Fresh fruits and vegetables, including potatoes which have not been peeled, cut or 
similarly treated. GSO 150/2007 GSO STANDARD  
 
99ANNEX 
 
Manufacturers producing food products shall specify the actual expiry 
period for their product, as regards the optional expiry period mentioned 
in this standard. 
Any kind of the food packages conforming to Gulf standards may be used, 
provided that they are free from any damage (cut, destroyed). 
Products that are not included among mandatory expiry period lists may 
be listed within the optional expiry period, unless they are perishables in 
which case their expiry period shall be specified by consultation with GS depending on scientific bases for determining the expiry periods and obtaining GS’s consent.  
The expiry period for processed or repackaged products from materials of 
limited expiry period without being subjected to any thermal procession 
shall not exceed the remaining expiry period of the materials from which they are prepared.