How do you read expiration dates on canned goods?

Answer 1

Canned goods don't generally have an expiration date. If they are open-coded, it is usually a 'best by' or 'best before'.

Canning manufacturers don't necessarily want the general public to be able to go through stock and pick out the youngest codes. That could make it hard to sell older, yet perfectly good product.

In the U.S., there must be some kind of production code on low acid canned food or acidified food, either on the ends of the can, on the jar or on the label. The code they use will vary with each company and they can redesign them at any time. The UPC bar code is not the production code. Contact the manufacturer or distributor (info on label) and ask them to tell you how old the product is from the code.

Here's one website that put together an interpretive list of can codes:

http://www.y2kkitchen.com/html/can_code_decoder.html

Answer 2

I take it you are referring to a shelf-stable, non-refrigerated product. Not all processors of canned salmon will necessarily place an open 'best by' date on the can. If you have concerns about the age of the canned food, contact the processor directly. When you give them the code that is embossed or printed on the end of the can, they should be able to tell you how old it is. Contact information should be on the label.

Answer 3

The expiration date on Geisha canned crab meat should be stamped on the bottom. The date may be printed year first, and may be written as a single block of numbers in the middle of other letters and numbers. Look for a block of text such as "140912" which would indicate that the contents expire in the year 2014, in September (09), on the 12th day (12). This may also be stamped on the label. On some batches you may find the code printed as month, day, year, instead, so the same expiration date may also be written as "091214."

Answer 4

if you can find it, it is usually on the top or bottom of the can. if not, look on the top or bottom of the wrapper. it will be black, usually with two lines. the first line may or may not say "best if used by..." or "recommended use by..." it will then list the date, listed month/day/year in the US, and day/month/year everywhere else.

Answer 5

Manufacturers differ on where they place expiration dates. You can find this information on most food manufacturer's websites.

Answer 6

The expiration date on canned vegetables is usually printed on the bottom of the can. It is sometimes written in very light print and, therefor, hard to read.

Answer 7

yes...........the dates are very long though

Answer 8

How do u read