Food Product Code Dating Reference
What is code dating?
• Use of a calendar date or code on a product's package.
• Helps the store determine how long to display the product for sale.
• Helps the purchaser know the time limit to purchase or use the product at its best quality.
• Not a safety date!
What types of code dates are used for foods?
• "Open Dating" - calendar date as opposed to a code.
• "Sell-By" date - tells store how long to display the product for sale.
• "Best if Used By (or Before)" date - recommends when product flavor/quality is best.
• "Use-By" date - last date recommended for product use while at peak quality.
• "Closed or coded dates" - packing numbers for use by manufacturer.
What code dating is required by federal law?
• Federal regulations require "use-by" dates on infant formula and baby food varieties under FDA
inspection – this is for quality and nutrient retention.
• Not generally required by Federal regulations. Additional dating of foods is required by some
states.
• No uniform or universally accepted system used for food dating in U.S.
What types of foods are dated?
• “Open dating” is primarily on perishable foods such as meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products.
• "Closed" or "coded" dating appears on shelf-stable products such as cans and boxed food.
What is the safety of food after expiration dates?
• Dates usually refer to best quality and are not safety dates.
• Products with a "use-by" date, follow that date.
• Products with a "sell-by" date or no date - cook or freeze the product according to the Food
Product Shelf Life Guidelines”.
What do can codes mean?
• Appear as a series of letters and/or numbers (might refer to date/time of manufacture).
• Used for interstate tracking purposes.
• Enable manufacturers to rotate their stock and locate their products in the event of a recall.
• Not meant for consumer to interpret as "use-by" date.
What are the dates on egg cartons?
• Use either "Sell-By" or "Expiration" (EXP) date that is not federally required, but may be
• State required, as defined by the egg laws in the State where the eggs are marketed.
• Some State egg laws do not allow use of a "sell-by" date.
• Example:
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What is Julian code dating?
• 4-digit code number used by manufacturers to show the date product was manufactured or
packed.
• Consists of: # day of the year since first day of current year and last digit of the current year.
• Example 1: Julian code 6007 means the product was manufactured or packed on January 7, 2006.
Î “6” = year (2006)
Î “007 = day #7 of the 365 days possible in the year 2006.
• Example 2: Julian code 0195 means the product was manufactured or packed on July 13, 2000.
Î “0” = year (2000)
Î “195” = day #195 of the 365 days possible in the year 2000.
How are Distributor Labels Interpreted?
SYSCO
GFS
Item Description
Delivery Date
Item Code
Customer
Information
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Who do I call if I have more code dating questions?
• Call your distributor or manufacturer directly.
* References
USDA Guidelines: Food Product Dating
Julian Calendar: http://landweb.nascom.nasa.gov/browse/calendar.html
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