Sell by date. The labeling sell by tells the store how long to display the product for sale. You should buy the product before the date expires. This is basically a guide for the retailer, so the store knows when to pull the item. This is not mandatory, so reach in back and get the freshest. The issue is quality of the item (freshness, taste, and consistency) rather than whether it is on the verge of spoiling. Paul VanLandingham, EdD, a senior faculty member at the Center for Food and Beverage Management of Johnson & Wales University in Providence, R.I., tells WebMD the sell by date is the last day the item is at its highest level of quality, but it will still be edible for some time after. Best if used by (or before) date. This refers strictly to quality, not safety. This date is recommended for best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date. Sour cream, for instance, is already sour, but can have a zippier, fresh taste when freshly sour (if thats not an oxymoron!) Born on date. This is the date of manufacture and has been resurrected recently to date beer. Beer can go sub-par after three months. It is affected by sun, VanLandingham says. The light can reactivate microorganisms in the beer. Thats why you have to be especially careful with beer in clear bottles, as opposed to brown or green. Guaranteed fresh date. This usually refers to bakery items. They will still be edible after the date, but will not be at peak freshness. Use by date. This is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. The date has been determined by the manufacturer of the product. Pack date. You will find this one on canned or packaged goods, as a rule, but its tricky. In fact, it may be in code. It can be month-day-year-MMDDYY. Or the manufacturer could revert to the Julian calendar. January would then be 001-0031 and December 334-365. It gets even weirder than that.
Posted on: Thu, 28 Nov 2013 16:36:49 +0000
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