Understanding Product Labeling

DECODING DATE CODES: Examples: "EXPIRATION DATE" Look for it on: Baby food, formula, medicines, vitamins, yeast, baking powder What it means: Do NOT distribute after the expiration date! Yeast and baking powder work less well, but are safe to eat. "Expires 11/15/18" "Do not use after 1/15/18" "PACK DATE" Look for it on: Canned foods, crackers, "Packed on 03/01/20" cookies, spices. "22:5306412" What it means: This is the date the food "KL064" was packaged. Often displayed in a numerical code. Usually this food is of good quality and safe to eat for a long time past the date. "SELL BY" DATE Look for it on: Refrigerated foods such as milk, yogurt, eggs, lunch meat. What it means: The store must sell these foods before the code date listed. If the food has been handled properly it is still safe to eat and the quality is good. "USE BY" DATE Look for it on: Crackers, cookies, cold cereals, and other dry, shelf stable food. What it means: The manufacturer's recommendation for how long the food will be at peak quality. After this date, the food is still safe to eat but begins to lose nutrients and quality. "Sell by January 1, 2018" "Pull Date" "Best if used by 1/1/2018" "Use Before 1/1/2018" PROPER STORAGE TEMPERATURES: Refrigerator Freezer empireiceco .com Dry Storage i0.wp.com com freepngimg. Temperature should be between 32°F - 40°F Set refrigerator air temp at 39°F to maintain internal temperature of food at 41°F Leave space for air to circulate between items in the fridge Temperature should be 0°F Freezer can be as cold as -20°F if you have something like ice cream present. Temperature between 50° - 70°F. Rotate stock so that older foods are distributed first. TIPS on Storing Fresh Produce: Most fruits and vegetables have the best quality when kept refrigerated. There are, however some exceptions. Tomato taste best if not refrigerated. Cold storage can cause them to become grainy. Bananas should not be refrigerated unless fully ripe, and then they should be used within 1-2 days. Refrigeration will cause banana skin to blacken, but the fruit will not ripen while cold. If they are very fresh; apples, mangoes, and stone fruits (plums, peaches, etc.) can be stored at room temperature, but these items should be refrigerated as they ripen. Hardy vegetables like onions, garlic, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and winter squash can be stored in cool, dark places outside of the cooler. Store eggs in their original carton. WHAT NOT TO CONSUME: CANS & JARS Leaking or stained Swollen can Rusty Badly dented, crimped or pinched Container is cracked Foul odor Safety seals are broken or missing Lids are loose or missing Food exhibit changed color or odor--never taste suspicious foods! TIPS: BOXES Inside bag: Is torn or leaking Has moldy or foreign objects inside Seals are ripped W/out an inside bag: Is open or torn Has live or dead insects, webs, or droppings Is stained or wet Store cans and boxes off the floor, and 18 inches away from the wall. Store canned and boxed goods in a clean, dry, and cool area (below 85°F). Extremely hot (over 100°F) and cold (below 30°F) temperatures can damage canned goods and shorten shelf life. Always rotate your stock--First in-First out (FIFO)! Distribute or use older products before newer ones.