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NFRC: Expiration Dates - are the dates stamped on cans the sell by date/ the use by date/ or the
- Thread starter miainmd
- Start date
Info about canned products from the Hormel website (I assume applies to non-Hormel canned food)
Canned Products
Can we serve a product beyond the "Best By" date shown on the container?
The "Best Buy" date on each product container is provided as a suggested period of time for the use of the product in order to allow for the maximum flavor and freshness to be received from each item. After the "Best By" date has lapsed there may be some decline in flavor and quality.
Products packaged in cans are safe to use indefinitely, as long as the can seal remains intact, unbroken and securely attached to a can that has been well maintained. It is suggested that all canned products be stored in a cool and dry environment to keep the flavor adequately preserved.
What is the Date Code and how is it interpreted on the food container?
The Date Code for products produced in the United States is most often printed on the bottom of each container to provide the following information:
The first letter indicates the manufacturing facility: S02054
The first two numbers indicate the month it was processed: S02054
The second set of two numbers indicate the day it was processed: S02054
The last number indicates the year it was processed: S02054
Example: Date Code printed is S02054
Interpretation: Produced in Stockton, California on February 5, 2004
Some imported canned products are manufactured in Brazil or Argentina which will contain a Date Code structure that is different from products produced in the United States. For assistance with foreign Date Codes or for any questions concerning our products, please call our consumer hot line number of 1-800-523-4635 anytime between 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. Central Standard time, Monday through Friday.
What is the expiration date on a can of HORMEL® Chili, STAGG® Chili or any other Hormel canned product?
For maximum flavor and freshness, we recommend use by the "Best By" date printed on our can. However, the shelf life of the product is indefinite as long as the seal remains intact, unbroken and securely attached to a can that has been well maintained. It is suggested that all canned products be stored in a cool and dry environment to keep the flavor adequately preserved. Our food is processed with a vacuum seal and is cooked at a high temperature which makes it a shelf stable item.
Canned Products
Can we serve a product beyond the "Best By" date shown on the container?
The "Best Buy" date on each product container is provided as a suggested period of time for the use of the product in order to allow for the maximum flavor and freshness to be received from each item. After the "Best By" date has lapsed there may be some decline in flavor and quality.
Products packaged in cans are safe to use indefinitely, as long as the can seal remains intact, unbroken and securely attached to a can that has been well maintained. It is suggested that all canned products be stored in a cool and dry environment to keep the flavor adequately preserved.
What is the Date Code and how is it interpreted on the food container?
The Date Code for products produced in the United States is most often printed on the bottom of each container to provide the following information:
The first letter indicates the manufacturing facility: S02054
The first two numbers indicate the month it was processed: S02054
The second set of two numbers indicate the day it was processed: S02054
The last number indicates the year it was processed: S02054
Example: Date Code printed is S02054
Interpretation: Produced in Stockton, California on February 5, 2004
Some imported canned products are manufactured in Brazil or Argentina which will contain a Date Code structure that is different from products produced in the United States. For assistance with foreign Date Codes or for any questions concerning our products, please call our consumer hot line number of 1-800-523-4635 anytime between 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. Central Standard time, Monday through Friday.
What is the expiration date on a can of HORMEL® Chili, STAGG® Chili or any other Hormel canned product?
For maximum flavor and freshness, we recommend use by the "Best By" date printed on our can. However, the shelf life of the product is indefinite as long as the seal remains intact, unbroken and securely attached to a can that has been well maintained. It is suggested that all canned products be stored in a cool and dry environment to keep the flavor adequately preserved. Our food is processed with a vacuum seal and is cooked at a high temperature which makes it a shelf stable item.
The BBC website had this INSANE story about a man eating a 50 year old can of cooked chicken!
Husband eats 50-year-old chicken (from the BBC website)
Beryl and Les Lailey had kept the tin since their wedding
A man celebrated his golden wedding anniversary by eating a 50-year-old tin of chicken.
Les and Beryl Lailey, of Denton, Gtr Manchester, were given the chicken in a hamper on their wedding day in 1956.
The Buxted Chicken tin remained in their kitchen cupboard until the couple marked 50 years together this month.
"We kept it safe, and I always said 'on my 50th wedding anniversary I'm going to eat that chicken' - so I did," said former soldier, Mr Lailey, aged 73.
"When we got married I'd just come out of the Army and we had very little money, so we did our own buffet.
"We got a hamper as a present and included in it was this whole chicken in a tin. We didn't use it and packed it away and kept it."
Tight vacuum
Mr Lailey, a former soldier, said he had not felt ill since eating the chicken.
The couple were given the chicken on their wedding day
The pair met at an Irish pub in Hulme, Manchester.
"I had to go back to the Army almost straight after we met, but we kept in touch by writing letters. I came home and we got married," Mr Lailey added.
Prof Eunice Taylor, a food safety expert at the University of Salford, said: "Canned food can last indefinitely if it has been sealed properly, although the normal shelf life is about six months.
"If it's done at high temperatures and under high pressure, then the process should create a tight vacuum.
"If anyone is going to eat old canned food, I would suggest they heat it thoroughly first of all, just in case to be extra safe."
Husband eats 50-year-old chicken (from the BBC website)
Beryl and Les Lailey had kept the tin since their wedding
A man celebrated his golden wedding anniversary by eating a 50-year-old tin of chicken.
Les and Beryl Lailey, of Denton, Gtr Manchester, were given the chicken in a hamper on their wedding day in 1956.
The Buxted Chicken tin remained in their kitchen cupboard until the couple marked 50 years together this month.
"We kept it safe, and I always said 'on my 50th wedding anniversary I'm going to eat that chicken' - so I did," said former soldier, Mr Lailey, aged 73.
"When we got married I'd just come out of the Army and we had very little money, so we did our own buffet.
"We got a hamper as a present and included in it was this whole chicken in a tin. We didn't use it and packed it away and kept it."
Tight vacuum
Mr Lailey, a former soldier, said he had not felt ill since eating the chicken.
The couple were given the chicken on their wedding day
The pair met at an Irish pub in Hulme, Manchester.
"I had to go back to the Army almost straight after we met, but we kept in touch by writing letters. I came home and we got married," Mr Lailey added.
Prof Eunice Taylor, a food safety expert at the University of Salford, said: "Canned food can last indefinitely if it has been sealed properly, although the normal shelf life is about six months.
"If it's done at high temperatures and under high pressure, then the process should create a tight vacuum.
"If anyone is going to eat old canned food, I would suggest they heat it thoroughly first of all, just in case to be extra safe."
michael-in-phoenix
Well-known member
I have knowledge in this area. I sell closeouts by the truckload...
...and most of my business is in the food industry.
There are only a couple of products where the government mandates that the packaging must include an expiration date. Baby formula and baby foods are one such item. All the rest is voluntary.
For most canned foods, the food remains viable for years after the date on the can. The date on the can simply guarantees that what is stated on the nutrition label is actually present in the food. After that date, the food generally begins to slowly degrade nutritionally. It is still edible, but it may not have full nutritional content.
Common sense has to be used. If a can of green beans looks swollen, and gives off an audible 'hiss' when you first puncture it with a can opener, obviously you have a dangerous situation. Common sense says to toss it.
Dairy products are usually good for 5 to 7 days after expiration, assuming the item has not been contaminated or held at too high a temp.
When in doubt, throw it out. Or, call the company on their '800' number and have them decode the date for you. Sometimes it is 'closed coded' or 'julian coded'. That is when you see only a series of letters and/or numbers that don't seem to be a recognizable date. The company will be able to decode that type of code for you, and will be able to tell you how old the product is. Keep in mind that most companies are very conservative and will not take a chance on giving out information that may cause you harm.
Freshness and nutritional content are what drives these things. Viability is another issue. I once sold a half a truckload of frozen shrimp. I sold them to a store chain in 1999. The product had been in a cold storage facility at minus 20 degrees since it was imported in 1991. Eight years later they were fine! I went to the warehouse (in Los Angeles) and personally inspected the product and the paper trail that put them in the facility, unmoved, for eight years. The buyer knew how old they were. They had the load re-inpsected by the health department and it was cleared for sale.
So, don't be too intimidated by the dating. Especially if the food is produced in the USA and is canned or packaged properly.
Hope this helps,
Michael
...and most of my business is in the food industry.
There are only a couple of products where the government mandates that the packaging must include an expiration date. Baby formula and baby foods are one such item. All the rest is voluntary.
For most canned foods, the food remains viable for years after the date on the can. The date on the can simply guarantees that what is stated on the nutrition label is actually present in the food. After that date, the food generally begins to slowly degrade nutritionally. It is still edible, but it may not have full nutritional content.
Common sense has to be used. If a can of green beans looks swollen, and gives off an audible 'hiss' when you first puncture it with a can opener, obviously you have a dangerous situation. Common sense says to toss it.
Dairy products are usually good for 5 to 7 days after expiration, assuming the item has not been contaminated or held at too high a temp.
When in doubt, throw it out. Or, call the company on their '800' number and have them decode the date for you. Sometimes it is 'closed coded' or 'julian coded'. That is when you see only a series of letters and/or numbers that don't seem to be a recognizable date. The company will be able to decode that type of code for you, and will be able to tell you how old the product is. Keep in mind that most companies are very conservative and will not take a chance on giving out information that may cause you harm.
Freshness and nutritional content are what drives these things. Viability is another issue. I once sold a half a truckload of frozen shrimp. I sold them to a store chain in 1999. The product had been in a cold storage facility at minus 20 degrees since it was imported in 1991. Eight years later they were fine! I went to the warehouse (in Los Angeles) and personally inspected the product and the paper trail that put them in the facility, unmoved, for eight years. The buyer knew how old they were. They had the load re-inpsected by the health department and it was cleared for sale.
So, don't be too intimidated by the dating. Especially if the food is produced in the USA and is canned or packaged properly.
Hope this helps,
Michael
michael-in-phoenix
Well-known member
A popular item for some of my customers used to be hard candy...
...that was made for the backyard bomb shelters that were popular in the 1950's.
It kind of tasted like sweet gatorade. It came in big 10 pound tins, and my customers used to sell it at swap meets and flea markets.
It was at least 50 years old.
Michael
...that was made for the backyard bomb shelters that were popular in the 1950's.
It kind of tasted like sweet gatorade. It came in big 10 pound tins, and my customers used to sell it at swap meets and flea markets.
It was at least 50 years old.
Michael
michael-in-phoenix
Well-known member
You're welcome. Many generations before us got by without code dating.
About the cans with the key...Has anyone been told that they are not considered truly 'canned' as
opposed to the regular cans? I was bringing some foie gras from France and presumably, as long as meat is canned, it passes customs.
However, the agent told me that the keyed cans are not considered passable. Not sure if he was thinking he'd like some beef Wellington, but I got through with it anyway.
Never heard that before. ANd just to be safe, in case I encounter this character again, I buy only the real sealed cans. (but if I followed my conscience, I'd stop buying that stuff altogether)
opposed to the regular cans? I was bringing some foie gras from France and presumably, as long as meat is canned, it passes customs.
However, the agent told me that the keyed cans are not considered passable. Not sure if he was thinking he'd like some beef Wellington, but I got through with it anyway.
Never heard that before. ANd just to be safe, in case I encounter this character again, I buy only the real sealed cans. (but if I followed my conscience, I'd stop buying that stuff altogether)
If the can is still "solid"--no bulges, it is probably just fine.
I think the FDA has gotten in on this dating. A real travesty is the waste of drugs because of due dates. There is no doubt that some have very definite expiration dates, but many do not. They are just tossed.
I think the FDA has gotten in on this dating. A real travesty is the waste of drugs because of due dates. There is no doubt that some have very definite expiration dates, but many do not. They are just tossed.
I think sometimes those customs agents are hungry...
Years ago, a customs agent in Dallas confiscated a whole suitcaseful of canned foie gras, cassoulet, choucroute., etc. saying it was because they contained pork. We were confused and too tired to fight it. and we didn't get the guy's name.
I called US customs later to inquire about the "pork" rule and I was told there was no such rule, and then I was accused of making up the story because "that couldn't have happened."
Now I make sure to know what the rules are. But I didn't know about the keyed cans--thanks for the heads-up.
Years ago, a customs agent in Dallas confiscated a whole suitcaseful of canned foie gras, cassoulet, choucroute., etc. saying it was because they contained pork. We were confused and too tired to fight it. and we didn't get the guy's name.
I called US customs later to inquire about the "pork" rule and I was told there was no such rule, and then I was accused of making up the story because "that couldn't have happened."
Now I make sure to know what the rules are. But I didn't know about the keyed cans--thanks for the heads-up.
michael-in-phoenix
Well-known member
We used to ship truckloads of medicine with short dates to Mexico, but...
...in the last few years the Mexican government has gotten much stricter when it comes to short dated and out of code medicines (and food products too).
Of course we Americans are soooo consumer conscious (spoiled?) that our retailers watch the dates closely and pull anything that is getting too close to expiration.
Michael
...in the last few years the Mexican government has gotten much stricter when it comes to short dated and out of code medicines (and food products too).
Of course we Americans are soooo consumer conscious (spoiled?) that our retailers watch the dates closely and pull anything that is getting too close to expiration.
Michael