Reading the dates on canned foods is an important part of food safety, as outdated food can be a risk to your health. Luckily, deciphering the date is relatively simple if you know what to look for.
Most canned foods have a “best if used by” date stamped on them. This date gives consumers an idea of when the food is likely to be at its best quality.
It’s important to note that this isn’t an expiration date and doesn’t necessarily mean that you should discard the food after that date has passed.
To read this date, you should look for two sets of numbers printed on the can. The first set will typically be a series of four digits that indicate the day, month, and year (for example 12/06/20 or 120620).
The second set may include more digits and will represent a time (for example 1730). You don’t need to worry about the second set of numbers – they’re simply there for manufacturing purposes.
It’s important to note that some manufacturers may use alternate formats for their dates. In these cases, it’s best to refer to their website or contact them directly for clarification.
It’s also important to remember that even if a product is past its “best by” date, it isn’t necessarily unsafe to consume. As long as it still looks and smells okay, it should generally be safe to eat.
In conclusion, reading dates on canned foods is easy once you know what you’re looking for – two sets of numbers indicating the day, month and year. However, it’s important not to rely solely on this information – use your judgement and always discard any cans that show signs of spoilage or contamination.
Conclusion:
How Do You Read Dates On Canned Food? Reading dates on canned food is relatively straightforward – look out for two sets of numbers indicating the day, month and year. Make sure not to rely solely on this information though – use your judgement when deciding whether or not something is safe to eat.