As I understand it pickles and curry pastes were developed over many years
in hot climates in times that did not have access to refrigerators.

*Best before* and *use by* dates are put on products in shops, which would
make sense in terms of stock rotation; but as I can understand it, cannot be
related very meaningfully to pickles and curry pastes.

Also they say with a lot of products to keep in refrigerator, but I've heard
several times that this is often because the manufacturer simply believes
that people go to the fridge for a 'look see' and are more likely to use the
product if it is in there, rather than elsewhere in a kitchen cupboard.

My question is: I have several Chinese type pastes, i.e. 'black bean paste'.
It says: " refrigerate and use within four weeks".

Is this necessary would you say? Since I believe it has already been
'spoilt' under controlled conditions, and is now inert?