Vinegars do not have a best-before date because they are virtually shelf-stable indefinitely. This is even anchored in the German food law ("Regulation on the trade of vinegar and vinegar essence", § 4a, 2.), because even after opening a bottle of vinegar, classic spoilage such as mold growth is not to be feared. However, it may happen that a light vinegar darkens over time. Cloudiness or sedimentation can also occur. These are natural processes, however, that do not negatively affect the quality of the vinegar.