strange codes instead of expiration dates on generic canned goods

[mountainmist]

In years past, I've come across online charts which explain how to read the codes on canned foods, to translate them into actual expiration dates.

Does anybody have links/urls for this information?

I'm getting seriously irritated by house brands generic canned goods.

WHY do they want me to jump through hoops to find the expiration date on the canned food????

Is that any way to treat a customer??

Do the grocery stores that stock these generic brands want to sell me post-expiration date foods???

I know I've come across charts that list exactly how to translate all the codes on all the cans, how to determine the expiration date.

But I didn't save those webpages, and now, years later, I've no idea where they were located online.

[shelbylovesmelby]

Re: strange codes instead of expiration dates on generic canned goods

No idea but I'd like to know myself as I've got several canned goods that I have no idea how old they are or if they are expired either. I found that crazy that since even ALDI's prints an exp date why the Prune Juice individual servings (love them for when the kids are constipated, TMI) that are a brand name have some jibberish on them instead of a use by date.

[mountainmist]

Re: strange codes instead of expiration dates on generic canned goods

I briefly read a news article online yesterday where I learned that some emergency first responders have been instructed to have enough food stored for their families to last three months.

3 months?

How many people do you know who seriously have three weeks of food on hand?

Here are some webpages about those weird numbers on the canned food.

I'm not buying another item from another food manufacturer who believes that their expiration dates are a STATE SECRET - that is really rude, what a disgusting way to treat your customers.




Canned Food Code & Shelf Life Info

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

Closed Dating Codes in use by some manufacturers

http://www.waltonfeed.com/grain/faqs/vb.html

Food Storage Guidelines for Consumers

http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/foods/348-960/348-960.html

Surprising Expiration Dates

http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/content/print/0,22304,676079,00.html

[PRICEPLUS]

Re: strange codes instead of expiration dates on generic canned goods

Thanks for the heads up on those sites!

[toys]

Re: strange codes instead of expiration dates on generic canned goods

All stores are required to keep a list of these codes (and their translation) on-hand... for when they do their own inventory (and trashing of expired products). I don't imagine store employees will ever volunteer this info, but if you ask, they are required by law to make it available to customers.

[mountainmist]

Re: strange codes instead of expiration dates on generic canned goods

No way.

I wouldn't dream of talking to store managers in my area about this, who knows who'd chatter to whom about that WEIRDO who must have stockpiled food for emergency and now needs the expiration dates.

No way, people gossip way too much; I'll simply make a point of never purchasing another item from companies who find their customers so repugnant that they treat them rudely and don't freely share this information.

Such companies certainly don't need my business.

One thing I will say, however -- it seems to me that nobody has ever gotten violently ill from any of these cans with the Secret Date Codes, or else there would be lots of stories about it online.

Which leads me to believe that MAYBE the advice to use up a tin can of food within one year of its manufacture MIGHT be some marketing myth to induce you to use it up quick -- maybe the stuff doesn't seriously go dangerously bad for many years.




Anyway, here's another chart which apparently has decoded LOTS of different food manufacturers:

http://www.a1usa.net/gary/expire.html

[mountainmist]

Maybe canned veggies last forever????

Here's a very interesting quote from an entry on the Salmonella Blog.



With product dating, food's days are numbered


....Properly canned vegetables will keep "forever," Gilson said, adding, "It's a quality issue. It's not a safety issue. They will get unappetizing in appearance and maybe in taste."

http://www.salmonellablog.com/2005/06/articles/-salmonella-watch/with-product-dating-foods-days-are-numbered/print.html

MAYBE that is why the food manufacturers don't evidence much concern about the funny codes on the canned veggies, they are already aware that only very very very very few ever go bad.... and hence, instead of expiration dates, there instead exist all those warnings re: bulging cans, rusted cans, leaking cans, dented cans.

[mountainmist]

46 years??????? FORTY-SIX years????

LONG list of canned goods & their shelf life

http://www.survivalmonkey.com/forum/printthread.php?t=4123

And another link, below, about the U.S. Army tests on canned food that was 46 years old.

==================================

Shelf Life of Canned Food Products

http://www.survivalmonkey.com/forum/showthread.php?t=670

Here is some info from Washington State University MASTER FOOD PRESERVERS & SAFETY ADVISORS WSU/Whatcom County Cooperative Extension 1000 N Forest Street, Suite 201, Bellingham WA 98225-5594 Phone: 360/676-6736 FAX: 360/738-2458



Shelf Life of Canned Foods


I would like to know the age of the canned foods I purchase. Were they canned one or five years ago? Are there so many preservatives in these foods that they last years and years? Shouldn't we be able to understand those code numbers on the cans?


Codes vary from one food packer or processor to the next. Some foods have an easily recognized packing date imprinted on the top. Most, however, have their own code. There is little incentive for companies to change a system that is working well for them; especially, if they get few complaints from consumers.

Many companies have a toll-free number you can call to inquire about the code, or ask other questions. If you don't see the number on the label, remove it and see if its on the back of the label. Or, call directory assistance for toll free numbers at 1-800-555-1212. Give the company's name. This may be different from the brand name.

With one particular company, the first line of the code refers to specifics about the product. The second line, for example 31554, deals with packing. The first number, three, cites the last digit of the year it was packed, in this case 1993. The 155 uses the Julian calendar (commonly used by packers) to indicate the one-hundred and fifty-fifth day of the year. The final 4 indicated the packing shift. All preservatives must be listed on the label. In canned foods, preservatives are used to maintain quality. The canning process keeps it safe.

If a product is correctly processed, it should remain safe until opened or the seal is broken.

The U.S. Army has found that canned meats, vegetables and jam were in "excellent states of preservation" after 46 years.

However, long storage is not recommended. For high quality (versus safety), the broadest guideline given by the U.S.D.A. is to use high-acid canned food (fruits, tomatoes and pickled products) in 18 to 24 months, and low-acid (meats and vegetables) in two to five years.




Information developed by Carolyn Rude, Retired WSU Extension Faculty - Family Living
March 1997

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