system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
What statistical methods are used in order to come to a conclusion on the expected expiration date of a food/drink product?
gpt
Here's something from the New Zealand government about calculating shelf life.  Although it doesn't go into the exact statistical methods, it's still good info:

>PREDICTIVE MODELLING

>Predictive models are mathematical equations which use information from a database to predict bacterial growth under defined conditions. Predictive models can be used to calculate the shelf life of a food. Information on the changes that occur in the product when it deteriorates, the properties of the product and packaging is required for the calculations. Most predictive models are specific to particular types of organisms.

>Some examples of predictive modelling systems are the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Pathogen Modelling Program (available to download from the internet), Growth Predictor and FORECAST (a paid service by Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association (CCFRA)).

>Models are useful as a first step in the evaluation of a product’s shelf life. However, information from modelling programmes needs to be verified by challenge testing or a shelf life trial.