High standard serial number dates code#
High standard serial number dates series#

If a food has developed such spoilage characteristics, it should not be eaten. Spoiled foods will develop an off odor, flavor or texture due to naturally occurring spoilage bacteria. With an exception of infant formula (described below), if the date passes during home storage, a product should still be safe and wholesome if handled properly until the time spoilage is evident ( Chill: Refrigerate Promptly). Are Foods Safe to Eat After the Date Passes? Foods not exhibiting signs of spoilage should be wholesome and may be sold, purchased, donated and consumed beyond the labeled 'Best if Used By' date. Research shows that this phrase conveys to consumers that the product will be of best quality if used by the calendar date shown. To reduce consumer confusion and wasted food, FSIS recommends that food manufacturers and retailers that apply product dating use a вЂњBest if Used ByвЂќ date. USDA estimates that 30 percent of the food supply is lost or wasted at the retail and consumer levels.В One source of food waste arises from consumers or retailers throwing away wholesome food because of confusion about the meaning of dates displayed on the label. What Date-Labeling Phrase Does FSIS Recommend?

A вЂњFreeze-ByвЂќВ date indicates when a product should be frozen to maintain peak quality.

It is not a safety date except for when used on infant formula as described below.

A вЂњUse-By'В date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality.

A 'Sell-By'В date tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management.

A 'Best if Used By/Before'В date indicates when a product will be of best flavor or quality.

As a result, there are a wide variety of phrases used on labels to describe quality dates.

There are no uniform or universally accepted descriptions used on food labels for open dating in the United States.

High standard serial number dates series#

'Closed or coded dates' are a series of letters and/or numbers and typically appear on shelf-stable products such as cans and boxes of food. Open dating is found on most foods including meat, poultry, egg and dairy products. Consumers must evaluate the quality of the product prior to its consumption to determine if the product shows signs of spoilage. The quality of perishable products may deteriorate after the date passes however, such products should still be safe if handled properly. These products will typically maintain product quality for a longer period of time because of how the products are formulated or packaged. Manufacturers and retailers will consider these factors when determining the date for which the product will be of best quality.ДЇor example, sausage formulated with certain ingredients used to preserve the quality of the product or fresh beef packaged in a modified atmosphere packaging system that helps ensure that the product will stay fresh for as long as possible. How Do Manufacturers Determine Quality Dates?ДЇactors including the length of time and the temperature at which a food is held during distribution and offered for sale, the characteristics of the food, and the type of packaging will affect how long a product will be of optimum quality. Except for infant formula, dates are not an indicator of the productвЂ™s safety and are not required by Federal law. Manufacturers provide dating to help consumers and retailers decide when food is of best quality. Additionally, immediately adjacent to the date must be a phrase explaining the meaning of that date such as 'Best if Used By.' Are Dates for Food Safety or Food Quality? In the case of shelf-stable and frozen products, the year must also be displayed. Does Federal Law Require Food Product Dating?Д®xcept for infant formula, product dating is not required by Federal regulations.ДЇor meat, poultry, and egg products under the jurisdiction of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), dates may be voluntarily applied provided they are labeled in a manner that is truthful and not misleading and in compliance with FSIS regulations.В To comply, a calendar date must express both the month and day of the month.

High standard serial number dates code#

вЂњClosed DatingвЂќ is a code that consists of a series of letters and/or numbers applied by manufacturers to identify the date and time of production. The calendar date provides consumers with information on the estimated period of time for which the product will be of best quality and to help the store determine how long to display the product for sale. 'Open Dating' is a calendar date applied to a food product by the manufacturer or retailer. Two types of product dating may be shown on a product label. Are dates required on these food products? Does it mean the product will be unsafe to use after that date? Here is some background information answering these and other questions about product dating.

'Best if Used By' is a type of date you might find on a meat, poultry, or egg product label.